SGAC South Korea
National Points of Contact
South Korea
Welcome to the national page for SGAC for Republic of Korea (South Korea). Republic of Korea has seen a new paradigm of space development in recent years, from developing our own Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) to establishing a national lunar and Mars exploration plans. Republic of Korea stands strong in joining the ranks of countries with advanced space capabilities, open for international partnership and collaboration.
Space Activities Overview in South Korea
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea’s leading aerospace research entity, recently published the “Space Development Mid & Long-Term Strategy”. The report specifies plans for a lunar lander mission by 2020 and a lunar sample return mission by 2030. The report also specifies a Mars exploration program, with an orbiter and lander mission to be completed for launch by 2030. KARI’ announced its second batch of space startups to be included in the Space Technology Application for Renovative Space Business Exploration (STAR-Exploration) program. At its second year, STAR-Exploration hopes to develop the private space sector in Korea. Team Moon X, jointly operated by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) and Hanyang University, won first prize at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Centennial Challenge: 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge in July 2017. The International Space Exploration Research Institute (ISERI), operated out of Hanyang University, partnered up with KICT to develop a lunar soil research lab in February. Inha University’s Institute of Space Science and Technology (IST) wishes to expand its Global Research & Development Center (GRDC), jointly created with NASA’s Langley Research Center, into a multilateral space sciences & technology research platform.
Country-Specific Events in 2018
October 4th~10th – World Space Week Seoul – World Space Week is a United Nations recognized dates for celebration of space exploration. World Space Week Seoul invites citizen scientists, students, and artists, to recognize the importance of space in everyday life – Seoul – link TBA
Interesting weblinks in South Korea
Department of Aerospace Engineering of KAIST
Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) – Korea’s premiere aerospace research institute
Satrec Initiative (Satrec I)
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) – Korea’s largest aerospace technology company
Young Astronauts Korea (YAK)
The Korean Astronaut Program of KARIKorea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) – KICT’s Moon X team won the NASA Centennial Challenge for 3D Printing using Lunar soil