Knowledge Transfer
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is set to develop the aerospace market further. The company will invest 1 trillion won (US$888 million) into developing 12 mid-sized satellites over three stages by 2025.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said on July 7 that it has selected KAI as the preferred bidder to take charge of the first stage to develop next-generation mid-size satellites. If KAI succeeds in the final selection, it will start developing the first mid-size satellite with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
The total budget for the projects is 842.6 billion won (US$741.5 million), which reaches around 1 trillion won when operating expenses are included. The first stage project will be implemented for a total of 224 billion won (US$197 million) to develop a 500 kg standard platform for the project and two mid-size satellites for precise ground observations by 2020.
The 12 500 kg satellites will be developed for ground observation, reconnaissance, weather forecasting, and the study of space science.
The project this time is going to be led by the private sector, unlike those led by the government in the past. For the first stage project, KARI will form a joint planning team with the private sector to transfer its accumulated expertise in making satellites over the past two decades to the latter. Then businesses will be responsible for the whole process, from design to production, from the second stage.
The Korean government aims at advancing the space industry and strengthening global competitiveness by industrializing local space technology. The science ministry will support the private sector to establish a mass-production system using the standard satellite platform and sell the satellites in the overseas market.
“The standard satellite platform will contribute to the price competitiveness of local satellites and a great reduction of the development period by loading freely various bodies such as for optics, radar, and infrared light,” said an official at the ministry.
Helped by the selection as the preferred bidder following the selection as the developer of a 257.2 billion won (US$226.4 million) space launch vehicle last year, KAI has come to secure a strong foundation for growing an aerospace specializer.
“We are drawing up a broad strategy to sell a package product of satellites and aircraft in the global aerospace market where Korean companies have yet to make a presence,” KAI President and Chief Executive Ha Sung-yong said.