Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hyundai Rotem announced on Oct. 19 that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for future space sector cooperation at Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX 2023) on Oct. 18.
KAI has earmarked its space mobility venture as one of the six major future businesses, preparing for the development of space launch vehicles for space transportation and spacecraft for multi-purpose missions in anticipation of the forthcoming space economy era.
Kim Ji-hong, Head of KAI, remarked, “Combining KAI’s comprehensive capabilities in space and aircraft systems with Hyundai Rotem’s propulsion system development capabilities will make our vision for future space mobility a reality.” He added, “Both companies will work closely together to gain a foothold in the global space market.”
For the past 30 years, KAI has taken a leading role in government-led space projects, growing into a specialized space enterprise. Since 2014, it has been involved in the development of the Korean-type launcher Nuri, acquiring technical expertise in various areas like assembly design, process design, tooling for assembly, engine clustering, and total assembly.
Furthermore, KAI has actively engaged in the development of multi-purpose practical satellites, geostationary composite satellites, and next-generation medium-sized satellites, accumulating satellite technology expertise. Recently, it has expanded its satellite platform by developing ultra-small satellites. Based on this, it is preparing for the era of “NewSpace” under civilian leadership by constructing the country’s first private space center equipped with a satellite mass production system.