Korea AeroSpace Administration

KASA Publishes and Distributes Its First-Ever Directory of Environmental Testing and Evaluation for Aircraft ComponentsConsolidating Information from Major Testing Institutions Nationwide: Koreas First Comprehensive Guide to Aircraft Component TestingSlashing Information Search Times and Costs: Expected to Accelerate Component Self-Reliance for SMEsThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh announced on Friday, May 29, the publication and distribution of the Directory of Environmental Testing and Evaluation for Aircraft Components. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility to environmental testing for aircraft component manufacturers and promote the utilization of domestic testing infrastructure.This directory is South Koreas first comprehensive guide that systematically organizes aircraft component environmental testing and evaluation information, which had previously been scattered across various organizations. Developed from a user-centric perspective, it is designed to help component manufacturers swiftly identify and connect with the appropriate testing and evaluation institutions.While the domestic aviation industry increasingly recognizes the need for supply chain stabilization and component self-reliance, the scattered nature of testing and evaluation infrastructure across multiple institutions has cost companies significant time and expense in locating suitable facilities.To resolve these practical bottlenecks on the ground, KASA initiated an internal study in April 2025 and officially commenced the planning of this directory in June of the same year.To maximize the practical utility of the directory, KASA formed a dedicated task force TF to systematically refine the data. The TF integrated a total of 15 institutions, including major organizations such as: KTR Korea Testing , KTC Korea Testing Certification Institute, KCL Korea Conformity Laboratories, KITECH Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, KTL Korea Testing Laboratory.Furthermore, in November 2025, KASA hosted an industry hearing attended by aircraft component manufacturers the end-users and experts from testing and evaluation institutions to gather on-site feedback and incorporate necessary improvements, thereby ensuring high practical relevance.The directory includes the following: Current status of domestic aircraft component testing and evaluation institutions, Major testing infrastructure categorized by environmental testing types, Applicable testing and evaluation fields along with equipment specialized by each institution. Through this directory, KASA expects to alleviate the burden of information searches for enterprises, boost the utilization of testing and evaluation facilities, and streamline the overall process of aircraft component development and validation.KASA plans to make the directory publicly available on its official website starting May 29, 2026, alongside promotional campaigns. Moving forward, the administration will periodically monitor on-site usage to update and refine the publication.KASA Administrator Taeseog Oh stated, This directory holds immense significance as it is the very first initiative to consolidate fragmented aircraft component environmental testing information from a user-centric perspective. He added, We will continuously support aircraft component companies so they can utilize necessary infrastructure with greater ease, thereby contributing to component self-reliance and the enhancement of our industrys competitiveness.

The 2nd Aerospace Day ceremony was held on May 27 at the KASA headquarters in SacheonSeven government awards were conferred upon meritorious individuals for their outstanding contributions to the aerospace sectorThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh announced that it successfully held the commemorative ceremony for the 2nd Aerospace Day on Wednesday, May 27, at its headquarters in Sacheon.Aerospace Day is a national commemorative day designated to honor the establishment of KASA on May 27, 2024. Marking its second anniversary this year, the ceremony was organized to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of KASAs opening, reverently recognize the dedication of meritorious individuals who spearheaded the development of the aerospace industry over the past year, and expand public interest and engagement in aerospace.Held under the slogan Our Technology, Our Space, a New Era for K-Space, the event was attended by around 100 key figures and stakeholders from the government, the National Assembly, and industry-academia-research institutes. During the ceremony, official government awards were presented to outstanding contributors to national aerospace advancement.A total of seven government awards were conferred, including one Order of Science and Technology Merit, one Science and Technology Merit Medal, two Presidential Citation, and three Prime Ministers Citation.The Order of Science and Technology Merit was awarded to Hyunsuk Seo, Director of the Satellite Research Department at Korea Aerospace Industries KAI. He was recognized for his pivotal role in localizing satellite technologies through leading contributions to major domestic satellite programs, including KOMPSAT Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite, CAS-500 Compact Advanced Satellite 500, and KPS-1 Korean Positioning System Satellite.The Science and Technology Merit Medal went to Hwannil Huh, Professor at Chungnam National University. Professor Huh served as the Vice President of the Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences and Director of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers, and greatly contributed to fostering an aerospace culture by operating the regional rocket launch experience club and rocket educational program.The Presidential Citation was awarded to two recipients: Eun-hyuk Kim, Principal Researcher at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI, who laid the groundwork for lunar exploration through the development and operation of payloads for South Koreas first lunar orbiter, Danuri; and Seung-young Lee, CTO at LIG Ds Citation was awarded to three recipients: Woo Chul Jang, Principal Researcher at Hyundai Wia, for his contribution to localizing landing gears for major aircraft such as the KF-16, T-50, and Surion; Jung Hyun Jo, Principal Researcher at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute KASI, for establishing a foundation for deep-space exploration through research on satellite orbits; and Chan-Gyeong Im, Principal Researcher at KARI, who oversaw ground facility operations for the 4th Nuri launch and facilitated successful technology transfers.Furthermore, a variety of cultural programs were held concurrently in the afternoon to offer citizens an accessible and engaging encounter with aerospace science.Hands-on and educational booths featuring lunar rover simulations, rocket model assembling and launching, and model airplane building were operated around the KASA premises. Additionally, Dr. Yeon-Seok Chae, a former president of KARI, hosted an insightful aerospace talk titled "Reading the Universe."KASA Administrator Taeseog Oh stated, I extend my deepest respect and gratitude to all professionals who are sweating night and day across industrial fields nationwide. He added, In alignment with the New Space era, where the private sector drives space development, KASA will provide unsparing support to ensure that researchers can fully immerse themselves in innovative research and bold challenges.

Accelerating the Development of Core Propulsion Technologies to Lead the Era of More Electric AircraftLaying the Foundation for Independent Dual-Use Engine Development and Strengthening the Domestic Aviation Propulsion EcosystemThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh announced that it held a joint kick-off meeting for the Next-Generation Dual-Use Aviation Engine and Propulsion System Development Project on Tuesday, May 26. This milestone marks the official commencement of Koreas first development of a dual-use turbofan engine and hybrid propulsion system, aimed at securing next-generation core technologies in the domestic civil aviation sector.The joint kick-off meeting was chaired by Changheon Han, Director General of the Aeronautics Innovation Directorate at KASA. It brought together experts from R2026-2029 into the two newly launched projects. The key details are as follows:1. Development of Core Technologies for High-Bypass Turbofan Engines for Electrified AircraftKey Objective: To secure South Koreas first-ever 4,500 lbf-class dual-use aviation gas turbine engine model, adaptable to More Electric Aircraft MEA and unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs that require high electrical power output.Core Tasks: High-bypass ratio fan/booster and combustor testing technologies; design and manufacturing technologies for rotor-integrated Integrated Starter-Generators ISGs.2. Advanced Development of Core Technologies for Electric-Turbine Hybrid Propulsion SystemsKey Objective: To develop electric-turbine hybrid propulsion system technologies for next-generation future mobility, alongside their core components: a 500 kW-class turbo generator and a 300 kW-class redundant electric engine motor/inverter.Core Tasks: System integrated design, analysis, and ground test rig construction; Development of high-efficiency turbo generators; Development of redundant electric engines motors and inverters.Through the Development of High-Bypass Turbofan Engines for Electrified Aircraft project, KASA is embarking on a mission to secure the nations first-ever dual-use aviation engine model 4,500 lbf-class, a milestone that will mark a major turning point in South Koreas aerospace history. Moving beyond simple component manufacturing, this initiative is expected to serve as a decisive stepping stone for Korea to leap into a global aviation powerhouse by establishing independent engine system integration capabilities.Alongside engine localization, the Electric-Turbine Hybrid Propulsion System Development project, designed to lead the eco-friendly aviation era, was highlighted as a strategic asset that will determine market leadership in future Advanced Air Mobility AAM. KASA plans to secure the core driving force of the future aviation industry by systematically supporting domestic companiesspanning from core technology development to ground performance validationthereby enabling them to transform into vital partners within the Global Value Chain GVC.Experts attending the kick-off meeting agreed that the localization of aviation engines and propulsion technologies is a paramount task for shifting the domestic aviation industry toward high-value-added structures. They pledged to solidify a collaborative ecosystem to ensure that research outcomes translate into practical business models and strengthened global market competitiveness.Changheon Han, Director General of the Aeronautics Innovation Directorate at KASA, stated, High-bypass turbofan engines and hybrid propulsion systems are strategic technologies that will dictate core competitiveness in the next-generation aviation sector. He added, We will consolidate domestic capabilities to internalize these critical technologies and leave no stone unturned in project management to ensure we secure a leading edge on the global stage.

- First Step Toward Revitalizing the Space Insurance Market Through On-Site Communication in Preparation for the Private-Led Space EconomyThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh visited the Korea Defense Guarantee Cooperative in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday, May 26, and held the 6th Aerospace SOS* Consultation Meeting with representatives from the domestic insurance industry, including the cooperative.* A communication channel launched in February to respond swiftly to difficulties faced by aerospace companies and identify on-site solutions.KASA Administrator Taeseog Oh has consistently emphasized the importance of commercial launch services in fostering the growth of the space economy, noting the need to actively expand the number of domestic and international commercial satellite launches to more than two per year.The meeting was organized to hear firsthand perspectives from the insurance industry and explore ways to revitalize Koreas domestic space insurance market to support stable private satellite launches and the operation of space assets.Prior to the meeting, KASA officials reviewed the current status of domestic space insurance underwriting. The review found that the limited underwriting capacity of domestic insurers and the heavy reliance on overseas reinsurance markets have increased cost burdens on private space companies and created barriers to entry for innovative startups.* Due to the high-cost and high-risk nature of the space industry, domestic insurers typically distribute risk by purchasing reinsurance from overseas insurance companies.Participants also agreed that revitalizing the domestic space insurance market should go hand in hand with efforts to strengthen the stability and global competitiveness of Koreas private space companies.Representatives from participating companies agreed that revitalizing the domestic space insurance market would require clear standards and specialized personnel capable of accurately assessing risks and calculating insurance premiums. They also emphasized that sufficient market demand must first be established to enable the development of viable insurance products.The participants proposed several policy measures, including: improving legal frameworks related to space insurance coverage and liability limits; developing standard policy terms and operational guidelines for space insurance; developing a pool of specialized professionals and providing technical advisory support; and offering government support to help establish the initial market.Administrator Taeseog Oh emphasized that space insurance, which provides risk coverage for private space activities, is an essential infrastructure for the sustainable growth of the space economy.He added, KASA will actively listen to the difficulties faced by the domestic insurance industry and review a range of support measures so that Korean space companies can innovate with confidence, while enabling the domestic space insurance market to grow alongside the broader space economy.

- KASA, the Rural Development Administration, the Korea Forest Service, and KAI Hold Pre-Shipment Review PSR MeetingThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh, together with the Rural Development Administration RDA, Administrator Seungdon Lee and the Korea Forest Service KFS, Minister Eunsik Park, announced that they held a Pre-Shipment Review PSR for the Compact Advanced Satellite 500-4 CAS500-4 at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries KAI on Thursday, May 21, ahead of the satellites transportation to the overseas launch site.The meeting was convened to conduct a final review of the satellites technical readiness and transportation safety before transitioning to the launch site shipment phase, following the completion of satellite development and various performance and environmental tests.Representatives from the RDA and the KFS, the primary user agencies of CAS500-4, as well as KAI, the system integrator, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI, the payload developer, participated in the meeting. The participants focused on reviewing satellite development and test results, readiness for satellite imagery mission operations, transportation safety measures, launch schedule and risk management plans.CAS500-4 is scheduled to begin transportation in June this year and is expected to be launched in July from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States. Once operational, the satellite will support wide-area agricultural and forest observation, including crop and forest monitoring activities for the RDA and the KFS.Hyesun Bang, Director General for Research Policy at the RDA, stated, We plan to enhance agricultural observation capabilities by advancing satellite-based monitoring of crops and farmland, as well as agricultural disaster risk management systems.Jongsu Lee, Director General for Planning and Coordination at the KFS, stated, We expect the satellite to strengthen our capability to respond to forest disasters through rapid and accurate forest observation, while also enabling early detection of forest changes caused by the climate crisis.Jinhee Kim, Director General of the Satellite Division at KASA, emphasized, CAS500-4 is expected to serve as an important foundation for expanding the utilization of satellite information in the agricultural and forestry sectors. We will continue thorough preparations until the very end to ensure a successful launch and stable mission operations.