Korea AeroSpace Administration

Commitment to Expanding Support for Industry Announced at the Industry Meeting on Expanding Lunar Economic FrontiersThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh held the Industry Meeting on Expanding Lunar Economic Frontiers through Public-Private Cooperation on July 8 Wed at the KASA headquarters.A total of nine companies* developing lunar landers, logistics mobility solutions, and related technologies participated in the meeting. The meeting was particularly significant as it marked the first industry meeting held as a follow-up activity after the National Space Committee approved the Korea Aerospace Industry Promotion Strategy hereinafter referred to as the Industry Promotion Strategy on July 3 Fri.* AP Satellite, LIG D entry into the global lunar economy and strengthening government-private sector cooperation to establish a self-sustaining lunar exploration industry ecosystem. It was then followed by a presentation on the development of lunar economic frontiers outlined in the Industry Promotion Strategy and an open discussion.Prior to the open discussion, Kyungin Kang, Director General of the Space Science Exploration Directorate at KASA, introduced key plans to support domestic companies participation in global lunar base development, while enabling them to secure lunar exploration capabilities at an early stage in response to the emerging global lunar economy.First, Director General Kang explained, To support the development of private-sector capabilities for building lunar communication infrastructure, we are pursuing a project to develop lunar orbital communication and navigation technologies led by industry starting in 2027, and to launch a demonstration lunar orbital communications satellite 500 kg class in 2029.He also announced plans to support the development and demonstration of small lunar landers 700 kg class by domestic companies, with the goal of achieving Koreas first private-sector-led lunar landing in 2030. Through this initiative, KASA aims to help companies establish globally competitive lunar transportation business models at an early stage.In addition, Director General Kang introduced plans to support projects aimed at enabling Koreas competitive technologies, including mobility solutions, to become key technologies for global lunar base development. For example, a logistics transportation-focused mobility solution tailored to NASAs lunar base construction needs will be developed by domestic companies starting in 2028, with a demonstration planned for 2031. Director General stated, We will continue to identify various policy measures to help domestic companies rapidly transition into global service providers.During the following open discussion, company representatives welcomed KASAs strong commitment to fostering the lunar exploration industry, while sharing practical challenges they face in the field, including difficulties in making initial investments required to enter the global lunar exploration market.The companies also expressed expectations that strengthened government support as a catalyst would lead to expanded private-sector investment and create a virtuous cycle. They further shared various opinions on policy support measures needed in the field.Administrator Taeseog Oh stated, The Moon has now become a key space asset not only from the perspective of science research but also in terms of national security and economic value. Expanding the Republic of Koreas economic frontier beyond Earth to the Moon and deep space requires the mobilization of national capabilities. In particular, enhancing the competitiveness of industry and actively leveraging its potential capabilities are of utmost importance.Administrator Oh also stressed that this meeting is not a one-time event, but the beginning of continuous and in-depth communication with industry, adding, We will establish a strong policy foundation to foster innovative companies such as a Korean SpaceX and further strengthen support so that Korean companies can play pivotal roles on the global stage, including NASAs lunar base development programs.Finally, Administrator Oh pledged that KASA would fulfill the role of an entrepreneurial government in revitalizing the lunar exploration industry ecosystem, while urging industry to trust the government and continue investing in the future.

Successfully Separated Approximately 2 Hours and 30 Minutes After Launch and Confirmed to be in Good ConditionFirst Communication with the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway Successfully Completed at 7:05 p.m. KST on July 7The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh, the Rural Development Administration Administrator Seungdon Lee, and the Korea Forest Service Administrator Eun-sik Park announced that the Next Generation Medium Satellite No. 4 CAS500-4 was successfully launched at 4:12 p.m. KST on July 7 Tue from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, U.S.Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes after launch, the CAS500-4 Satellite successfully separated from the launch vehicle at an altitude of about 888 km. About 23 minutes later approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes after launch, it successfully established its first communication link with the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway at 7:05 p.m. KST. During the initial operation phase, two overseas ground stations the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway and King Sejong Station in Antarctica will be utilized.Through communication with the ground station, KASA confirmed that the CAS500-4 Satellite is in good condition and successfully entered its Sun-synchronous orbit.With a wide observation swath of 120 km and a resolution of 5 m, the CAS500-4 Satellite is optimized for agricultural observation and forest information monitoring on the Korean Peninsula, enabling it to capture images of the entire country every three days and generate image data.The CAS500-4 Satellite holds significant importance as it was developed under private sector leadership utilizing the standard platform secured through the development processes of the previous CAS500-1 and CAS500-2 Satellites. Through this project, industry led the entire process from satellite design and manufacturing to testing and verification, further enhancing Koreas capabilities in the satellite development industry.Rural Development Administration Administrator Lee stated, This success marks an important turning point for Korean agriculture as it advances beyond experience and intuition toward data-driven precision agriculture, adding, It has opened a new era in which agriculture can be monitored from space based on the national agricultural observation system. He further emphasized, By integrating satellite imagery and artificial intelligence AI, we will further advance crop yield forecasting and agricultural disaster response while realizing digital agriculture that farmers can experience in the field.Korea Forest Service Administrator Park stated, Through the CAS500-4 Satellite, we will rapidly and accurately observe forests to proactively respond to forest disasters such as wildfires and landslides and realize scientific forest management amid the climate crisis. He added, As a new starting point for leading the digital and AI transformation of Koreas forest administration, we will drive tangible changes felt by the public while taking the lead in international cooperation with 121 countries worldwide.KASA Administrator Oh stated, The CAS500-4 Satellite is an important achievement that has expanded private sector-led satellite development capabilities based on a 500 kg-class standard platform. He added, By independently securing satellite image data necessary for agriculture, forests, climate, and disaster response, we have significantly strengthened Koreas competitiveness in private sector-led satellite development and national satellite information utilization capabilities. He further stated, We will identify domestic and international demand for satellite launches and further expand the utilization of Korean launch vehicles.

First Communication with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI Ground Station in Daejeon Completed at 10:50 p.m. KST on July 7The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh, the Rural Development Administration Administrator Seungdon Lee, and the Korea Forest Service Administrator Eun-sik Park announced that the Next Generation Medium Satellite No. 4 CAS500-4 successfully established its first communication link with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI ground station in Daejeon at 10:50 p.m. KST on July 7, approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes after launch, following three communication links with overseas ground stations. During the initial operation phase, two overseas ground stations the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway and King Sejong Station in Antarctica will be utilized.During the first communication link with the KARI ground station in Daejeon, the deployment of the solar panels and the normal status of the satellites main body were confirmed. Additional communication sessions will be conducted to support stable mission operations, including the deployment of the X-band antenna, activation of attitude control system actuators, and functional checks.Following the initial operation phase, the CAS500-4 Satellite is scheduled to begin full-scale mission operations in 2027 and will provide data for agricultural and forest observation, as well as disaster and emergency response areas such as wildfires.

Launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the U.S. to an 888 km Sun-synchronous OrbitThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh, the Rural Development Administration Administrator Seungdon Lee, and the Korea Forest Service Administrator Eun-sik Park announced that the Next Generation Medium Satellite No. 4 CAS500-4 will be launched at 4:10 p.m. KST on July 7 Tue from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, U.S.CAS500-4 has successfully completed all pre-launch preparations, including functional checks and propellant fueling, over the past approximately 30 days at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The satellite is currently mounted on SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket and awaiting launch.Approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes after launch, CAS500-4 will separate from the launch vehicle. About 31 minutes later approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes after launch, it is scheduled to establish its first communication link with the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway. This communication will confirm whether the satellite has successfully entered its target orbit.Equipped with a payload developed using Koreas core technologies, CAS500-4 will be capable of capturing images of the entire country every three days using its wide-area observation camera. The satellite is expected to be utilized in various fields, including agricultural and forest management, forest change monitoring, disaster and emergency response, climate change analysis, and enhancement of public safety.Following launch, CAS500-4 will undergo an initial operation phase of approximately four months in an orbit at an altitude of about 888 km and is scheduled to begin full-scale mission operations in the first half of 2027.The launch of CAS500-4 will be broadcast live through KASAs YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@kasamedia and other platforms such as Koreas Naver CHZZK.

Space Public-Private Delegation Holds Space Day Eventsin Romania July 1 and Poland July 3The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs MOFA, Minister Cho Hyun held Space Day events in Bucharest, Romania, on July 1 Wed and Warsaw, Poland, on July 3 Fri, respectively, to strengthen space cooperation with local government agencies and private companies.Organized by the Space Public-Private Delegation composed of KASA, MOFA, and major Korean space companies Head of Delegation: Jun-shik Hwang, Director-General for Climate, Environment and Science Diplomacy at MOFA, the events featured presentations by the two countries space agencies on their respective space policy directions, as well as introductions of Korean companies technological capabilities and willingness to cooperate. The events also included one-on-one networking sessions, providing opportunities for Korean companies to discuss specific cooperation opportunities with local organizations and companies.The Korea-Romania Space Day, which began with opening remarks by Mihnea Costoiu, Rector of the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, and MOFA Director-General Hwang, was attended by nine Korean companies* and representatives from major space and security related government agencies, institutions, and companies, including the Romanian Space Agency ROSA, the Ministry of National Defence MApN, and the National Research Authority ANCSI. The Romanian government expressed strong expectations for future Korea-Romania space cooperation through welcoming remarks by Andrei Alexandru, President of ANCSI, and Daniel Eugeniu Crunteanu, President of ROSA.* Korean space companies: Nara Space, Satrec Initiative, Space Liintech, Spacebeam, Innospace, Kairos Space, Telepix, Hanwha Systems, Hyundai RotemIn addition, Jeonghoon Kim, Director of International Affairs Division at KASA, and Oana Cojeanu, Director of International Cooperation at ROSA, introduced the space policies and ecosystems of both countries, while participating Korean companies presented their specialized capabilities and cooperation ideas. The advanced satellite solutions presented by Korean companies, including satellite systems and Earth observation technologies, closely matched Romanias defense modernization needs and attracted significant interest from local government and military officials. Romanian private space companies also introduced their respective technological capabilities and cooperation proposals, seeking opportunities for technological collaboration with the Korean delegation. Following the presentations, one on one meetings and networking sessions enabled Korean companies to directly engage with Romanian government agencies and military officials gathered at the event, discussing potential business opportunities and cooperation plans.Meanwhile, the Korea-Poland Space Day held in Warsaw was attended by 12 Korean companies* and senior officials from major space and security related institutions, including the Polish Space Agency POLSA, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, and the Ministry of National Defence. Beginning with welcoming remarks by Marta Ewa Wachowicz, President of POLSA, and Director-General Hwang at MOFA, as well as congratulatory remarks by Andrzej Domanski, Minister of Economic Development and Technology, the two countries explored opportunities for technological cooperation in line with the NewSpace era led by the private sector. In addition, Tae Jun-youl, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Poland, and Bartosz Wisniewski, Ambassador of Poland to the Republic of Korea, attended the event together and delivered welcoming remarks, emphasizing both countries commitment to expanding cooperation in the space sector.* Korean space companies: Nara Space, Delta V Solutions, Satrec Initiative, Space Liintech, Spacebeam, Uzuro Tech, Innospace, Kairos Space, Telepix, Korea Aerospace Industries, Hanwha Systems, Hyundai RotemThe two sides then presented their space policies and international cooperation initiatives, while Korean space companies provided briefings on specialized technologies, including satellite development and data utilization. Subsequent sessions featured presentations on Koreas space policies and roadmap, followed by introductions of Korean companies launch vehicle and component technologies. Through one-on-one meetings and networking sessions, Korean companies engaged in in-depth discussions with Polish government officials, while representatives from leading Polish space companies and institutions also participated to facilitate further dialogue.The Space Day events, jointly organized by KASA and MOFA in Belgium June 29, Romania July 1, and Poland July 3, are expected to strengthen space cooperation with the EU, NATO, and major European countries while providing a stepping stone for Korean space companies entry into the European market. In particular, the events served as an opportunity to identify the potential for expanding the trust and achievements established by K-Defense in the Eastern European market into the space sector. The government plans to continue expanding opportunities for international cooperation in response to Korean space companies demand for entry into new markets.