-KASA Hosts Technology Transfer Agreement Signing between KARI and Hanwha Aerospace for Nuri Rocket
-Marking a Major Milestone in Korea’s New Space Era
The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin) announced the signing of a technology transfer agreement for the development of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II (Nuri), a key goal of the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project on July 25. The signing ceremony took place at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), with KASA Administrator Yoon Youngbin in attendance, alongside representatives from KARI and Hanwha Aerospace, who signed the agreement for the transfer of Nuri development technology.
KASA has actively facilitated the swift transfer of Nuri technology to the private sector, playing a key role as a mediator in the negotiation process. This agreement marks the first official transfer of core technology for a government-developed launch vehicle to the private sector, strengthening the public-private partnership between KARI and Hanwha Aerospace. It is expected that this milestone will further enhance collaboration in the space sector and support the successful preparations for the upcoming fourth Nuri launch later this year.
This transfer marks a significant milestone in strengthening South Korea’s space launch capabilities and expanding the role of private industry in the national space ecosystem. KASA expects that the agreement will not only contribute to the successful implementation of the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project, but also serve as a crucial stepping stone for enhancing the global competitiveness of Korea’s space industry in the long term.
Meanwhile, the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project, led by KARI as the principal research institution, began in earnest in 2022. The project aims to improve the reliability of the Nuri through four additional launches (the 3rd through 6th flights) by 2027, while transferring the developed technologies to the private sector to foster and expand the domestic launch vehicle industry ecosystem. As the designated system integration company, Hanwha Aerospace is responsible for overseeing the manufacturing of Nuri and will sequentially receive related technologies and operational expertise over the course of the project.
KASA Administrator Yoon stated, “This technology transfer agreement reaffirms the government’s commitment to fostering the national space industry and marks a meaningful first step toward a private-sector-led space era. Going forward, KASA will continue to provide institutional and financial support to ensure sustained collaboration between KARI and industry partners, and will actively assist in developing Korea’s space industry into one that is globally competitive.”