Experts have pointed out that the plan for the additional launch of the Korean launch vehicle Nuri must be expedited. It is necessary to ensure a minimum production volume so that more than 300 corporations participating in the development of Nuri can maintain their technological capabilities.
Son Jae-il, president of the Korea Aerospace Technology Promotion Association (representative of Hanwha Aerospace), attended the '2025 Space Policy Forum' held at the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 27th and noted, "There needs to be broad discussions regarding measures for the sustainability of the launch vehicle industry and support strategies for the private space industry," adding, "In particular, smaller corporations among the more than 300 involved in Nuri's development are struggling due to the lack of additional tasks, and we will negotiate with the Aerospace Administration."
Nuri is set to undertake its fourth launch in November this year. Additional launches are planned for once each in 2026 and 2027. Hanwha Aerospace will take charge of Nuri's development and production in collaboration with Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) starting from the fourth launch. The government plans to secure the reliability of the launch vehicle through repeated launches of Nuri and to transfer the technology to the private sector to foster the domestic launch vehicle industry ecosystem.
The problem is that there are no additional launch plans after the sixth launch. Jin Seung-bo, head of the launch vehicle research department at KARI, stated, "If production ceases due to the absence of follow-up volumes, the departure of personnel and equipment could lead to the loss of technological capabilities," and emphasized that "it is necessary to guarantee a minimum production volume for proactive private investment."
In fact, a survey of 115 key participating corporations among the more than 300 involved in Nuri's production conducted by KARI revealed that the percentage of those whose production of Nuri-related parts and equipment ended by the end of last year reached 82.6%. In the first half of next year, the production cessation rate is expected to be 97.4%, indicating that virtually all corporations will withdraw from Nuri-related projects.
Director Jin stated, "By 2027, we need to embark on additional launch projects to minimize component production and gaps in launches," adding, "We must ensure a sustainable launch vehicle and industrial ecosystem." Professor Kim Jeong-soo from Pukyong National University's Department of Mechanical Engineering also noted, "It is necessary to secure competitive strength in space commerce through the industrialization of launch vehicles," and insisted that "follow-up launches of Nuri must be pursued in addition to existing advancement projects."
Stakeholders from corporations involved in Nuri's development also pointed out that the subsequent projects are too delayed. Bang Jeong-seok, an executive at Bitsro Next Tech, stated, "We are responsible for the engine part in the Nuri advancement project, and it seems that production will be completed by the first half of this year," adding, "If new launch vehicle projects do not start, all pre-invested parts will turn into expenses for the corporations, leading to losses."
Jung Hae-yong, an executive at Duwon Heavy Industries, which manufactures tanks and other components for Nuri, also stated, "If a gap occurs in the middle of Nuri's development, it leads to issues such as technological discontinuity, aging, and personnel loss," and pointed out, "Due to the gap that existed before the Nuri advancement project, some of our partner companies have given up on their businesses." He emphasized, "For corporations to maintain their technological capabilities, the launch vehicle development projects should be designed to overlap."
The Aerospace Administration is also considering additional launches of Nuri. Vice Administrator Noh Gyeong-won stated, "We plan to discuss the creation of a space industry ecosystem that emphasizes the government's role as a market creator at the upcoming National Space Committee."