[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House evaluated the Korean launch vehicle 'Nuriho' (KSLV-II), scheduled to be launched on the 21st, as "an asset that will accumulate space development capabilities even if it fails."
A Blue House official stated at a briefing on the 19th, "It is something to be proud of together with our people that our country has independently developed high-difficulty technology that cannot be transferred between countries due to security technology, enabling us to launch our satellites with our launch vehicles from our land."
The first launch of Nuriho aims to secure independent space transportation capability to place a 1.5-ton class practical satellite into low Earth orbit (600~800 km). If the launch succeeds, Korea will become the seventh country in the world to achieve this.
The Blue House official said, "Considering that the success rate of the first launch of a newly developed launch vehicle is very low, even if the launch fails, it will be a valuable experience and asset to accumulate our space development capabilities."
He also evaluated, "Not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises in the space materials, parts, and equipment sector participated in the development, providing an opportunity to foster the domestic space industry," adding, "Through the advancement of subsequent launch vehicle performance, it will be a significant milestone to promote challenging space exploration such as the autonomous launch of a lunar lander by 2030."
The Blue House emphasized the Moon Jae-in administration's special interest and support for space development, including the 2018 test launch of the Nuriho test vehicle and the signing of the Artemis agreement, and stated, "We plan to activate an ecosystem of space industry led by private companies by transferring launch vehicle technology to the private sector to enhance their development and mass production capabilities."
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