Korean Air Strengthens Competitiveness in Small Satellite Launch Vehicles... Leading the NewSpace Era

At the 'Development of Common Bulkhead Propellant Tank for Small Launch Vehicles' kickoff meeting held on the 23rd at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute of Korean Air in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Gong Byung-ho, Director of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute of Korean Air, Park Jae-sung, Head of the Future Launch Vehicle Research Division at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and Han Hyun-woo, CEO of NDT Engineering (from left), are posing for a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Korean Air announced on the 24th that it has officially launched the "Common Bulkhead Propellant Tank Project for Small Launch Vehicles," conducted as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's "Space Pioneer" program.

Korean Air aims to become a leading company in the "New Space" (private-led space industry) sector based on its technology for Korea's first space launch vehicle, Naroho, and unmanned aerial vehicle development. The "Space Pioneer" is a government-led project designed to reduce overseas dependence on space components and strengthen the global competitiveness of the domestic space industry, with a total investment of 211.5 billion KRW by 2030.

Korean Air has formed an industry-academic-research consortium with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, NDT Engineering, and Korea Aerospace University, investing 32 billion KRW to complete development by 2026 for the "Common Bulkhead Propellant Tank Project for Small Launch Vehicles."

The "Common Bulkhead Propellant Tank" technology integrates the fuel tank and oxidizer tank, which traditionally exist separately in launch vehicles, into a single unit by applying advanced welding and insulation technologies. This reduces the number of launch vehicle components and simplifies the structure, cutting weight by 30% compared to existing models and lowering manufacturing costs, thus playing a key role in enhancing the competitiveness of domestically produced small launch vehicles.

The "Common Bulkhead Propellant Tank" is expected to drastically reduce the cost of launching 500 kg-class medium and small satellites, or multiple small satellites grouped as "ultra-small cluster satellites," into low Earth orbit, where demand is anticipated to increase.

The small launch vehicle market is expected to expand explosively worldwide. SpaceX has currently launched about 1,000 satellites weighing 400 kg each and plans to launch up to 12,000 additional satellites. Global IT companies such as Amazon and Facebook are also planning to launch hundreds of medium and small satellites.

At the kickoff meeting for the development of the common bulkhead propellant tank for small launch vehicles held yesterday, attended by 20 researchers and officials from Korean Air, KARI, and NDT Engineering, discussions were held on the project's development direction, future schedule, and scope of cooperation to advance the project.

Korean Air will take charge of risk and quality assurance system management and testing and evaluation for certification in this project. The completed common bulkhead propellant tank will be used as a major component of the 500 kg-class small launch vehicle that Korean Air plans to develop jointly with KARI.

Korean Air previously carried out the development and final assembly of Korea's first space launch vehicle, Naroho (KSLV-I), in 2012 and possesses core technological capabilities in aircraft system integration and civil aircraft structural development.

Korean Air stated, "As the most suitable private company to lead the development of cost-effective small launch vehicles and the establishment of small satellite launch services, we will make our best efforts to successfully carry out this project, lead the 'New Space' era, and enhance the global competitiveness of the domestic space industry."