Is Japan Falling Behind Korea? ... But Leading Far Ahead in Space Development [Reading Science]

Japan's 'Data Relay Satellite No. 1' Successfully Launched on H2A Rocket

(Kagoshima Kyodo=Yonhap News) On the 29th, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries successfully launched the 43rd H2A rocket carrying the 'Data Relay Satellite No. 1.' The rocket launch took place at 4:25 PM at the Tanegashima Space Center located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. 2020.11.29
Photo by Yonhap News
(End)

? Yonhap News, Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] On the 8th of last month, two Japanese billionaires boarded a Russian Soyuz spacecraft and went on a space trip. Considering this, the number of astronauts from Japan has already reached about 10. South Korea has had only one astronaut in 2008. Although Japan is recently evaluated as lagging behind South Korea in many aspects, it is far ahead in the space sector.

Japan conducted the first test launch of its independent launch vehicle, Nuriho, only in October last year, but its investment scale and technological level are far superior. Especially last year, Japan announced plans to accelerate space technology development and utilization. For South Korea, which has just taken its first steps, it is pointed out that to catch up with advanced space countries like Japan, long-term investment, detailed technology development, and utilization plans must be meticulously established and thoroughly executed.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced in November last year that it would develop reusable rocket technology surpassing the leading American company SpaceX, together with 30 companies, universities, and research institutes including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Japan had already succeeded in launching the H-1 rocket in the 1980s by importing the Delta rocket engine from the United States, and currently operates the H2A (liquid engine) and Epsilon rockets (solid engine). JAXA, together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is developing the next-generation rocket H3, and has set a goal to develop a prototype by 2026 and achieve the first launch and practical use by 2030 by developing it as a reusable rocket.

In particular, Japan plans to catch up with SpaceX's reusable rocket Falcon 9 through this effort. SpaceX began developing a reusable rocket launch system in 2011 and successfully achieved the vertical landing of the first stage booster of Falcon 9 on a landing pad near the launch site in December 2015. Since then, SpaceX has drastically lowered launch service prices and is dominating the global launch vehicle market. Japan also plans to develop reusable rockets to replace existing rockets such as 'H2A' and 'Epsilon' and compete for overseas satellite launch contracts. Developing reusable rockets requires the development of engines capable of precise thrust control, as well as guidance, lightweight design, shock absorption devices for landing, and advanced material technologies.

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology also announced a roadmap for next-generation space vehicle development by 2040, aiming to develop next-generation core rockets covering lunar exploration, communication network construction, and Earth observation, as well as intercontinental transport and space passenger vehicles capable of space travel.

▲International Space Station. [Photo by NASA]

Japan is also actively developing manned space technologies. The International Space Exploration Subcommittee of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced plans to actively utilize the International Space Station (ISS) to acquire technologies related to space stay and activities, space station operation and utilization, astronaut-related technologies, and transportation technologies. In addition, Japan is actively participating in the Artemis program and plans to utilize the 'Kibo' experimental module, which they established on the ISS in 2009, for research in biology, medicine, and bio-drug development.

South Korea lags at least 10 years behind Japan in space technology. According to data announced in March last year based on 2020 figures, South Korea's technology level in the space, aviation, and marine sectors is 64.8% of the U.S. level, with an 8.6-year lag. Japan stands at 83.5% of the U.S. level, with a 3.9-year technology gap. Comparing South Korea and Japan indirectly, there is about a 4.3-year difference.

However, when focusing solely on space technology, the gap is much larger. South Korea's space launch vehicle development and operation technology level is only 60% of the U.S., while Japan's is 85%. In space object observation, space radiation, satellite communication disruption, and space environment observation, monitoring, and analysis technologies, South Korea is at 55.5% of the U.S. level, whereas Japan is at 79%. In spaceflight and satellite technologies, South Korea is at 56%, but Japan is in the 80% range. Regarding manned space technology, South Korea's Dr. Yi So-yeon stayed on the ISS for 11 days using a Russian Soyuz rocket in 2008, but it was a one-time event and faced criticism for budget waste.

This is ultimately due to insufficient investment. South Korea's space development budget accounts for only 1.5?3.5% of its total research and development (R&D) budget. This is only about 2% of the U.S., 20% of Japan, and 60% of India. The investment ratio relative to gross domestic product (GDP) is 0.239% for the U.S., 0.122% for Russia, 0.062% for Japan, 0.049% for India, and 0.046% for South Korea.

Although South Korea's first independently developed space launch vehicle Nuriho completed all flights safely on October 21 last year, the mission to place a dummy satellite into orbit failed due to the third stage engine shutting down 46 seconds early. The cause announced on the 29th of last month was a design flaw in the third stage fuel tank. Ultimately, due to lack of experience stemming from insufficient investment, it became a 'partial success.' At that time, an official from the Ministry of Science and ICT tearfully expressed hope for 'encouragement' rather than criticism for the Nuriho development team, who did their best with limited personnel and technology but great passion and patriotism. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute, which developed Nuriho, has about 800 space development personnel. NASA has 17,000, JAXA has 1,500, and China's dedicated personnel are estimated to be at least 300,000.