Page 28 - ADT SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 Online Magazine

of the first steps toward the goal of developing a laser weapon security and public safety,” the minister added.
system capable of destroying "killer satellites." Hanwha Systems South Korea’s big push in the space sector
is also part of a state project to build high-resolution surveillance comes at a time when the country is getting
satellites, primarily for military use, that would be capable of mon- ready for the maiden flight of Nuri, its first [ SPACE ]
itoring North Korea. domestically produced satellite launch vehicle,
on Oct. 21. Designed by the Korea Aerospace
The other two companies under the South Korean conglomerate Research Institute [KARI], the engines of the
- Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Corp. – also have a sizable foot- rocket have been manufactured by Hanwha
print in the niche market. While Hanwha Aerospace is developing Aerospace. KAI is in charge of the final assembly
liquid engines for the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV), Hanwha of the booster while Hyundai Heavy Industries
Corp. is eyeing the development of a solid-fuel propulsion system, has built the launch pad. Also in the works is its
now that the restrictions on removal of restrictions on rocket range first lunar orbiter, which will launch aboard an
and solid fuel have been lifted. In March this year, Hanwha set up American rocket in October next year.
a Space Hub task force to coordinate the company’s activities in
the sector, besides acquiring a 30 percent stake in Satrec Initiative, Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT has
a local company that is developing SpaceEye-T, a 700-kilogram introduced a five-year plan, set to begin next
Earth-mapping satellite that is scheduled to be launched by 2024. year, that is intended to improve the country’s
nation’s launch vehicle technology by involv-
“The Space Hub will orchestrate research, development and invest- ing private players in the program. As part of a
ments across a wide spectrum of business areas, including space US$587.31 million project, the government will
launch vehicles, satellite-based communications, Earth observation transfer launch vehicle development technol-
(EO), and renewable energy,” the company said in a press release. ogy to the private sector. KARI is also working
“These efforts will play a pivotal role in helping Hanwha take the on the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO),
industry to new heights as a global leader in space.” a small orbiter that will study the moon from an
altitude of 100 km (62.1 miles). KPLO is set for
Eager to make its presence felt in the growing space market, KAI a launch in August next year as a secondary
will invest US$880 million in the sector over the next five years. payload aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The company is partnering with the Korea Advanced Institute and
Science and Technology to build a space research center and
also plans to have a ground station and satellite imagery analysis Growing Partnership
service in a couple of years. Production of satellites is also part The country’s focus on military space capabil-
of the company’s long-term plan. Meanwhile, Korean Air working ities is welcome news for the U.S., which has
along with a research team from Seoul National University on a set up its own space force and is leading an
military project to develop an orbital launch vehicle using a Boeing effort to introduce rules of behavior in space.
747-400 airplane. In August, South Korea and the U.S. signed an
agreement to enhance cooperation in areas of
space surveillance, space domain awareness,
Private sector involvement space technology, and missile defense. In yet
According to a plan drawn up by the National Space Committee, another sign that the two countries are taking
South Korea will launch 110 dual-use satellites with the aim of pro- their military partnership another notch, the
moting the domestic satellite market and meeting demand, Science South Korean Air Force and the U.S. will partic-
and ICT Minister Lim Hye-sook in June. Among the satellites are ipate in joint space-related military exercises.
reconnaissance versions for military purposes. “The space indus-
try is a cutting-edge industry that’s based on intelligence but also The central role being played by the U.S. Space
a crucial one for national strategy in terms of securing national
Command in ensuring the safety of the domain
comes in the wake of Russia’s anti-satellite
(ASAT) weapon tests. China, the U.S.’ biggest
adversary, has also tested direct-ascent ASATs
on several occasions. According to the 2021
annual Global Counterspace Capabilities report
by the Secure World Foundation, Russia, China
and North Korea are making significant prog-
ress in their counterspace capabilities while
Japan and India are investing heavily in their
space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities.
Having another likeminded ally build up mili-
tary capabilities in space would please the U.S.
that is working to deter the aggressive intent
of Russia and China in the domain.

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