The Korea AeroSpace Administration said it finalized a mid- to long-term plan that newly includes development of a methane-based reusable launch vehicle at the 4th National Space Committee held on the 25th.
The discussion was held to supplement the 4th Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion to fit current conditions and to reset the direction of national space policy. At the meeting, the committee approved major agenda items including the revision plan for the 4th Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion, the Republic of Korea space science exploration roadmap, and promotion strategies for Military Reconnaissance Satellite-II and the Military Satellite Communications System-III.
The revision plan for the 4th Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion newly reflects mid- to long-term policies to respond to changes in the global space development paradigm, such as developing reusable launch vehicles, securing advanced satellite technologies, and private sector-led space development.
In particular, the plan also includes developing the next-generation launch vehicle as a methane-based reusable launch vehicle. The Korea AeroSpace Administration said the global trend in launch vehicle development is shifting to reusability, so the next-generation launch vehicle should also change in the same direction. However, although the agency announced in Feb. this year that it would convert the existing development plan to a reusable type, the adequacy reexamination that has been underway since May has yet to reach a conclusion, leaving the project adrift.
Some say that while there is broad agreement on moving toward reusability, overturning the development plan while maintaining the 2030 launch goal carries not insignificant risks. Because the change in plan is being made late, schedule, expense, and technology risks could grow.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration said it finalized the revision plan after gathering expert opinions and holding public hearings from Jul. to Sep. It said it expects full-fledged implementation of systems to foster a private-led space industry ecosystem and to develop a national flagship reusable launch vehicle.
The Republic of Korea space science exploration roadmap announced alongside details national exploration goals and execution strategies through 2045, ranging from lunar and planetary system exploration to solar and space science research and low-Earth orbit and microgravity experiments, and the Korea AeroSpace Administration presented a vision of entering the "top five aerospace powers."
The committee also discussed promotion strategies for Military Reconnaissance Satellite-II and the Military Satellite Communications System-III, coordinating ways to strengthen space capabilities among the private sector, the military, and the government.
Vice Chair Bang Hyo-chung, who chaired the meeting, said, "This is a time when policy and institutions must not chase the environment but anticipate and embrace it," and added, "I hope the government will work to ensure that institutions can quickly reflect the environment when establishing major space development policies such as the 5th Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion going forward."
Secretary Commissioner Yun Young-bin, the head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, "Through the 4th launch of Nuri scheduled for the 27th, we will open an era in which 'our satellites are launched by our launch vehicles,'" and added, "We will carry out our work so that national space development policy gives the public reliability and stability while remaining flexible and quick to adapt to the environment, and as secretary commissioner, I will support the committee's role as the policy control tower."