– Delta-SDR Convened to Integrate Methane-Propelled Reusable Technologies into System Design
– Finalizing Conceptual Design and Entering Preliminary Design Phase to Accelerate Reusable Launch Vehicle Development
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA, Administrator Taeseog Oh) announced that it will hold the Delta System Design Review (delta SDR) for the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) project on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI, President Lee Sang-cheol).
The NGLV project is a KRW 2.29 trillion initiative spanning until 2032. It aims to develop a primary national launch vehicle with significantly enhanced performance compared to the Nuri (KSLV-II). The project focuses on launching lunar landers independently and securing reusable launch vehicle technology. Following a strategic pivot in December 2025, the project was officially redefined to focus on a "methane-fueled reusable launch vehicle," with full-scale development underway this year.
This meeting serves as a follow-up to the initial SDR held last December. Approximately 100 experts, including KASA officials, KARI researchers, and representatives from the lead systems integrator (Hanwha Aerospace), participate. The committee will review and verify the system requirements and conceptual designs essential for the full-scale development of the reusable NGLV.
Key areas of review include: Conceptual design proposals for system requirements and vehicle architecture, plans for constructing methane engine test facilities and a dedicated launch pad, detailed schedules and risk management strategies for the overall project. Through this in-depth assessment, KASA intends to finalize the conceptual design and determine the project's readiness to transition into the Preliminary Design Phase.
"The Next-Generation Launch Vehicle will be the cornerstone of South Korea's space transportation in the 2030s," said Park Jae-seong, Director General of the Space Transportation Directorate at KASA. "To proactively respond to the rapidly shifting paradigm in launch vehicle technology, we are developing it as a reusable system. Through this review, we will conclude the conceptual design and officially enter the preliminary design phase to accelerate development."