Korea AeroSpace Administration

- Administrator Yoon Leads Space Economic Delegation with 12 Companies to Saudi Arabia- KASA Signs MOU on Space Cooperation with Saudi Space AgencyKorea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, has formed a space economic delegation* to enhance Koreas space industry presence in the Middle East. The delegation visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to strengthen the space industry cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, KASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU with the Saudi Space Agency SSA, headed by Mohamed Al-Tamimi, to establish a framework for cooperation in the space sector.* KAI, Hanwha Systems, Nara Space, Hanwha Aerospace, INNOSPACE, TelePIX, Satrec Initiative, CONTEC, HANCOM InSpace, CSOContec Space Optics, Cosmo Bee, Unmanned Exploration LaboratoryThe MOU between KASA and SSA, signed on March 11 at the SSA headquarters, marks a significant step in promoting cooperation in various fields, including deep space technology and communication, human spaceflight programs, satellite launches and payloads, and space science and engineering. This agreement is expected to accelerate the development of space technology and industries in both countries while enhancing technical collaboration.To further promote Korean space businesses and expand partnerships with Saudi companies, KASA and SSA co-hosted a "Korea-Saudi Space Cooperation Seminar" on March 12 at the SSA headquarters. Korean companies involved in satellite development, small satellites and image analysis solutions, launch services, satellite components, ground station services, and space exploration presented their areas of cooperation. The seminar also included networking sessions to facilitate practical discussions between companies, with KASA playing a leading role in supporting Korean companies global space market expansion.Saudi Arabia, seeking to diversify its national growth engines through Vision 2030, established the Saudi Space Agency SSA in 2018 to develop space as a core industry. Saudi Arabia is rapidly growing in the fields of deep space exploration, satellite communications, and space resource development, with strong investments in satellite development and communication technologies, such as the SaudiSat series. The country is focused on satellite operations for communication, Earth observation, and weather forecasting.Furthermore, the fact that the space cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Korea took place during the Ramadan* period demonstrates the strong commitment of both countries to further strengthen their space collaboration. This initiative is expected to lead not only to the advancement of space technology but also to economic ripple effects, bolstering the global presence of Korean companies.* In 2025, Ramadan will take place from March 1st to Marth 30th, according to Saudi Arabias calendar.Administrator Yoon emphasized, "The space cooperation between Korea and Saudi Arabia will contribute to the industrial development of both countries in the short term and become an important collaborative model for jointly pioneering the future of the global space industry in the long term. KASA will continue to expand its international cooperation efforts to support the overseas expansion of Korean space businesses."

- KASA Attends SKAO Council Meeting and Officially Expresses Intent to Participate in the SKA Construction Project -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, will officially express its intention to participate in the Square Kilometre Array SKA Project, the largest radio telescope ever to be constructed in human history, at the SKAO* Council meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on March 18.*The Square Kilometre Array Observatory SKAO is the international organization that oversees the SKA project, managing the construction and operation of the telescope, data processing and analysis, and international cooperation.The SKA telescope, currently under construction in Australia and South Africa, boasts superior performance in resolution, survey speed, and sensitivity compared to existing radio telescopes. It is expected to observe faint radio signals from the early universe and provide answers to fundamental questions about the origins of the universe, the search for extraterrestrial life, and more.KASA aims to secure full membership to obtain rights for domestic industry participation and access to SKA data. Following this official letter of intent, KASA plans to proceed with the necessary domestic and international procedures.Kang Kyung-in, Director of the Space Science Exploration Mission Directorate at KASA, stated, "Through this participation, KASA will actively support domestic astronomers in creating world-class research achievements and contributing to Koreas rise as a space power. We hope to contribute to solving key challenges in modern astronomy, such as the origin of the universe and the search for extraterrestrial life, through research utilizing SKA data.

- Successfully Communicated After Launch on March 12 with SpaceX Falcon 9 -Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, announced that the SPHEREx space telescope, jointly developed by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute KASI, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA, and others, was successfully launched at 12:10 PM on March 12th 20:10 local time on March 11th from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.*SPHEREx: Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices ExplorerThe SPHEREx was launched aboard SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket and separated from the rocket at around 12:52 PM, reaching a solar-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 650 km. By 1:30 PM, communication was successfully established with NASAs Near Space Network at the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway.SPHEREx will enter its initial operations phase for about 37 days after the launch, during which all telescope tests, including calibration, will be performed. The telescopes attitude will be precisely controlled, and its operational temperature will be maintained below -210C through its self-cooling system. The telescope will also undergo testing of its optical and spectral performance. During this period, the first light observations will also be conducted.After completing the initial operational phase, SPHEREx will perform its observational mission for approximately 25 months. It will orbit the Earth in a 98-minute cycle, completing 14.5 orbits per day and taking over 600 pictures of the universe. The missions operation and management will be overseen by NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with communication taking place through ground stations located near the polar regions, including Troll Antarctica, Fairbanks Alaska, Punta Arenas Chile, and Svalbard Norway.Dr. Jung Woong-seop, the senior researcher from KASI, stated, "If SPHEREx successfully completes its mission, it will provide crucial insights into the creation and evolution of the universe through the infrared 3D space map and all-sky spectral catalog, enabling astronomers worldwide, including those in Korea, to conduct studies of various celestial bodies."Yoon Youngbin, Administrator of KASA, emphasized, "The successful launch of the SPHEREx space telescope marks a significant step forward in the exploration of early light in the universe and the formation of galaxies, which are key challenges for humanity. This achievement demonstrates that Koreas standing in the field of space science has been significantly elevated."

On February 27, Mr. John Lee, Vice Administrator of Mission Directorates at Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, visited the Rempus Dongtan facility, a company specializing in space battery pack manufacturing. He toured the battery pack testing area and gathered feedback from the company.Rempus, established in 2014, is a manufacturer specializing in lithium battery packs and other electronic components. The company produces and supplies portable and industrial battery packs, and possesses technology for designing and manufacturing space battery packs that operate in extreme environments such as those encountered during satellite launches. Based on this expertise, Rempus collaborates with numerous companies in the space industry to design, manufacture, and test various space battery systems.Vice Administrator Lee encouraged the developers and listened to their opinions to foster the growth of the domestic space industry ecosystem and advance key components in satellite development.Vice Administrator Lee stated, "To build a satellite development ecosystem for Korea to become one of the top five space powers, securing design, manufacturing, and verification technologies for space-grade batteries, which are core components of satellites, is crucial. Moving forward, KASA will continue to do its utmost to create opportunities for domestic companies to enter the space market through various policies."

- KASA presented key research outcomes, including DNA+ drone technology, intelligent counter-drone response systems, and long-range beyond visual line of sight BVLOS drone communication technologies. -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, held a Drone RDNA+ Drone Technology Development, presented by Dr. Lim Chae-deok from the Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI, proposed a new paradigm for drone technology. This research, conducted from 2020 to 2024, integrated data, 5G networks, and Artificial Intelligence AI technologies to develop an innovative system capable of producing and utilizing high-value mission data in real time through drone swarm and autonomous flight. Notably, the worlds first drone sensor data standardization technology was confirmed as an international standard, and the drone-specific seamless 5G airspace communication technology, 4K drone mission video live streaming, and real-time AI analysis technology were recognized for the projects excellence, earning the DNA+ Drone Technology Development the top prize in the 100 National RKAERI introduced the Intelligent Anti-Drone Technology for Nuclear Facilities and Airports. Launched in 2021, this project is expected to continue until 2025 and aims to develop and demonstrate the Drone-Cop and forensic technologies to counter illegal drones infiltrating critical national facilities. The team has developed drone control hijacking technology and real-time live forensic technology for security. Legislation and policy suggestions for advancing the domestic anti-drone field were also presented. The team plans to conduct demonstration at national critical facilities in the second half of this year and is working toward commercializing the technology.<433MHz-Based Drone Communication Technology: Opening the Era of Long-Range Drone Communication>Dr. Oh Hyuk-jun from Kwangwoon University presented the Development and Demonstration of 433MHz-Based Drone Application Communication Technology. This RBVLOS long-range drone operations. The technology enables drone communication over distances greater than 20 km, ensuring safe operation at low altitudes. Notably, the 433MHz technology can be integrated with existing 5G networks, addressing issues related to drone data links. This technology is aimed at areas requiring BVLOS long-range operations, such as drone delivery in remote islands and is also highly applicable in the small unmanned aerial vehicle defense industry.KASAs Aeronautics Innovation Mission Directorate, Director General Kim Hyun-dae, stated, Currently, Korea needs a technological innovation strategy to respond to global regulatory changes in drone security. The achievements presented today are expected to become core technologies that will reduce the technology gap with leading drone countries and strengthen global competitiveness.The key RDSK 2025 Drone Show Korea at BEXCO in Busan, which will run until February 28.