Korea to Invest 806.4 Billion KRW in 2025 R&D Projects to Become a Top 5 Aerospace Power
- The first research and development project implementation plan of KASA for 2025 has been finalized since its establishment -
Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, has confirmed the '2025 Research and Development Project Implementation Plan' with a total investment of 806.4 billion KRW across 44 detailed projects.
* This amount excludes basic expenses, non-R&D, and security-related projects, and is part of the total KASA budget of 964.9 billion KRW for 2025.
The plan outlines the overall direction of the 2025 R&D projects under KASA and defines the specific implementation plans for each detailed project. This is the first implementation plan outlined since the establishment of KASA in May 2024. The R&D budget for the aerospace sector has been significantly increased, with the support budget rising by 243.7 billion KRW, an increase of approximately 43.3% from 2024's 562.7 billion KRW.
* Reference: KASA’s Research and Development Project Operation Regulations
Currently, the global aerospace economy is rapidly growing due to the emergence of new business models, such as satellite internet, space resource mining, and eco-friendly urban air mobility, alongside increased private sector participation with a focus on technological innovation and cost reduction. Additionally, with the opening of the Trump 2.0 era, the space power competition between the U.S. and China has intensified. Against this backdrop, the R&D project implementation plan has been developed to achieve the national mission of advancing the aerospace industry as the next-generation growth engine.
First, by diversifying the portfolios of the subordinate research institutes (Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI)), KASA will create a researcher-centered research environment ecosystem to secure technological competitiveness and strengthen the missions of these institutes. Field-specific talent tailored to industry demands will be trained, and public participation programs will be expanded and operated to broaden the foundation of aerospace culture. Additionally, risk-response systems will be established, and technologies will be advanced to protect the public and national space assets from space-related disasters.
* Research operation costs and facility support (187.4 billion KRW) for subordinate research institutes (KARI, KASI)
* Space Challenge (4.9 billion KRW), Training of space experts (7 billion KRW), Space-K BIG project (new project, 1.8 billion KRW), Space risk-response system development (8 billion KRW), Precursor technology development for active control of space xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-objects (12.4 billion KRW), Space electromagnetic interference disaster risks analysis and response technology development (2.3 billion KRW)
Second, KASA will focus on developing key technologies for launch vehicles, satellite bodies, and payloads, ensuring they are linked to integrated projects, and ensuring an industrial foundation to allow private enterprises to participate in the growing demand for satellite development. Furthermore, the quality control system for satellite data will be strengthened, and R&D will continue to secure AI-based utilization technologies, enhancing the value of national satellite data This will support the innovation and growth of space enterprises and help establish infrastructure and systems for expanding into the global market.
* Space Pioneer Project (26.4 billion KRW), Utilization support system development for transformation of satellite data into big data (3.8 billion KRW), Aerospace industry cluster tripartite system establishment (23 billion KRW), Space verification of domestic components and parts (5.6 billion KRW), Innovation-based satellite utilization infrastructure creation (new project, 1.9 billion KRW), Future space economy foundation projects (new project, 2 billion KRW), National satellite operation and calibration infrastructure advancement (7.2 billion KRW)
First, KASA will enhance the reliability of the primary launch vehicle through the fourth launch of Nuri. The basic design of the next-generation launch vehicle will also be initiated to expand space territory, including large satellite launches and lunar landers, with its development being fully accelerated. Additionally, preliminary research, conceptual design, and pre-planning studies will be conducted to secure core technologies for small launch vehicle and reusable launch vehicle, which are led by private sectors, in order to improve space transportation competitiveness through cost reduction and frequency expansion.
* Korean Launch Vehicle advancement project (147.8 billion KRW), Next-Generation Launch Vehicle development (150.8 billion KRW), Support for small launch vehicle development capability (4 billion KRW), Development of core technologies for innovative reusable launch vehicles (new project, 5 billion KRW), Development of key aerospace technologies (new project, 3 billion KRW), Exploratory research for new projects (9.7 billion KRW)
Second, KASA will develop world-class advanced satellites and secure core technologies in preparation for disasters. To support private sector-led satellite development, entry barriers will be reduced, and space certification opportunities will be expanded to strengthen the capabilities of industrial sectors. Additionally, stable and precise PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) information will be provided through the development of ultra-precise navigation satellites.
* Development of mircrosatellite constellation system (24.9 billion KRW), Development of Geostationary Satellite, Cheollian (35 billion KRW), Development of Compact Advanced Satellite 500-3 (19 billion KRW), Pre-development of core technologies for next-generation Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) (new project, 2 billion KRW), Low Earth Orbit satellite communication technology development (new project, 11.3 billion KRW), Development of geostationary weather and space weather satellites (new project, 5 billion KRW)
Third, the Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM) for the private lunar lander will be launched in collaboration with NASA. In addition, the payload for the independently developed lunar lander will be selected, and the localization of core technologies, including propulsion technology and navigation control for the lunar lander, will be promoted. KASA will participate in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project to establish a research and development system to secure observation data processing and analysis technologies, and expand participation in the Artemis program while promoting policy cooperation with the new U.S. government to strengthen the Korea-U.S. collaboration.
* International joint research project for private lunar lander paylaod (7.3 billion KRW), Phase 2 of lunar exploration (lunar lander development) project (45 billion KRW), Square Kilometre Array project (new proejct, 2 billion KRW), Space international cooperation foundation project (1.7 billion KRW)
Fourth, KASA will actively support the development of drone communication technologies, illegal activity countermeasures, and delivery technologies. By developing solar-powered drones capable of flying in the stratosphere for over 30 days and providing real-time disaster imagery, KASA will support the establishment of a national integrated disaster response system. Additionally, the development of key materials and manufacturing technologies for domestic aircraft engines will be supported, and the development of electric propulsion systems and component process advancements will be promoted to secure international competitiveness.
* Development of stratospheric drone technology for constant disaster monitoring (6.8 billion KRW), Development of intelligent countermeasures for illegal drones (5.7 billion KRW), Development of 433 MHz-based drone communication technology (2.3 billion KRW), Development of multi-modal delivery technology for high-weight cargo in urban areas with drone-robot integration (2.8 billion KRW), Development of inconel 718 superheat resistant alloy castings for uurbofan aircraft engines (10.7 billion KRW), Development of electric multi-tail rotor technology for helicopters (2.4 billion KRW), Development of artificial intelligence (AI) system for civil aircraft reliability diagnosis (3.9 billion KRW), Development of aerospace component manufacturing process advancement technology (2.5 billion KRW)