South Korean Space Agency Targets Reusable Rocket Construction

KASA administrator Yoon Young-bin (photo: dock. KASA)

JAKARTA The South Korean Space Agency (KASA) held a press conference in early September to celebrate the 100 days the institution's establishment. At the event, KASA shared its ambitious plans.

Reporting from Spacenews, KASA plans to develop reusable rockets or can be reused and can send one kilogram of payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The hope is that this rocket will cost less than US$1,000 (Rp15 million) in the mid-2030s.

This plan was revealed by KASA Administrator Yoon Young-bin during a press conference. According to Young-bin, the reusable rocket development plan could be one of South Korea's powers in the space sector. What's more, KASA is targeting a global space market share of 10 percent by 2045.

"We intend to reduce the cost of space transport to low orbit," Young-bin said. "Including reusable rockets, we will complete a transportation system that will allow us to travel freely between Earth and space in the 2030s."

Another project revealed by Young-bin is the development of robotic spacecraft to observe the sun. This spacecraft will be placed at the Lagrange L4 Earth-Sun point with a launch target by 2035.

So far, KASA plans to develop the spacecraft through international partnerships. KASA also wants to develop a vehicle for re-entry orbital transfers and a high resolution imaging satellite with a resolution of up to 10 centimeters.

"The goal is to launch in 2035 (for rides at Lagrange point L4)." said Young-bin. We are negotiating with the United States, Japan, Britain and Germany on how to collaborate.