"Strategic Technology Acquisition Triumph"... Internalizing Core Technologies That Money Can't Buy [Nuriho Success]

Successful 2nd Launch on the 21st, 'Largest Space Project Since Dangun' Happy Ending
Secured Reader Space Launch Vehicle, Entered World's Top 7 Space Powers, Achieved Domestic Technology Development
No Competitiveness in International Launch Market Due to High Costs and Low Technology Level
Challenges Remain to Reduce Costs and Develop Advanced Technologies

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] South Korea's first independent space launch vehicle, 'Nuriho (KSLV-II)', was successfully launched on the 21st. This achievement has finally placed South Korea among the world's top seven space powers, marking a significant milestone. Although some cynics still dismiss it as a "2 trillion won fireworks display," the dominant evaluation is that it is a remarkable accomplishment securing strategic technologies that cannot be bought with money, such as the internalization of key space technologies.

◆The Largest Space Project Since Dangun

Nuriho was a 'grand project' with an official budget of 1.9572 trillion won, a project duration of 12 years and 3 months, and a total manpower input of about 20,000 person-years. Considering that the independent space launch vehicle development plan was set in the early 2000s and core liquid engine component technologies such as turbo pumps began development then, this is a long-cherished project that has been ongoing for about 20 years, or 30 years if counting from the solid science engine KSR-1 in 1993. Compared to Naroho (KSLV-I), which was completed after its third launch in 2013, the budget invested is nearly four times greater.

With the success of Nuriho, South Korea has joined the ranks of the world's top seven space powers. It has secured an independent space development means capable of launching its own satellites and probes at the right time. It can also launch satellites with national security or advanced technology applications without worrying about other countries. For example, the Arirang Satellite No. 2, launched in 2006, was initially planned to use China's Long March rocket due to lower costs, but the U.S. opposed it based on the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), forcing a switch to the Russian Soyuz launch vehicle, resulting in a loss of the contract deposit.

◆Our Technology from A to Z

The Nuriho research team domestically developed all technologies related to launch vehicle design, manufacturing, testing, and operation. In the past, Russia and the U.S. opened the space era by referencing Germany's V2 rocket technology, and China, Japan, and India became space powers by receiving technology transfers from them. South Korea mastered all processes with purely domestic technology under adverse conditions where leading space countries refused technology transfer, such as the U.S. blocking solid rocket development through 'Missile Guidelines'.

During the development and manufacturing of Nuriho, about 300 private companies participated, sowing the seeds of the launch vehicle and space industry. It also laid the groundwork for raising its voice in the international space development cooperation system. The U.S. is currently conducting an international space development cooperation program with about ten countries, including South Korea, aiming for long-term goals such as securing leadership in space development against China and Russia and lunar resource mining, including manned lunar landing exploration after 2025. Now that South Korea has secured an independent launch vehicle, its voice in this system has grown louder, and the amount of benefits it can gain in the future can also increase.

◆Remaining Challenge: Reducing Costs

While Nuriho's achievements are significant, its limitations are clear. It can place small satellites weighing 1.5 tons into low Earth orbit (600?800 km), but it cannot handle high-performance medium to large satellites weighing 2?3 tons or more. This means it cannot be used for high-altitude orbits such as geostationary orbit (36,000 km) or for asteroid, lunar, or Mars exploration. There is a need for rapid upgrades. The government is currently reviewing a preliminary feasibility study for next-generation launch vehicle development projects, including 100-ton class liquid engines and reusable rockets.

High launch costs are also a problem. According to 2018 data from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), excluding foundational investment costs, the total development cost for one Nuriho vehicle is about 87.4 million USD (approximately 113.15 billion won), and the launch cost per kilogram is 32,595 USD (about 42.2 million won). This is up to 10 times higher than major overseas space launch vehicles. SpaceX's Falcon 9 achieves the lowest launch price worldwide with a production cost of 62 million USD per vehicle and a launch cost per kilogram of 2,100?2,700 USD, dominating the global commercial launch vehicle market.

For South Korea to fully advance space development, it must first lower this high cost barrier. Developing reusable and recoverable rockets is essential. Like Falcon 9, it should create reusable engines and install thrust vector control systems to allow the first stage of a launched rocket to be used multiple times. It is also necessary to develop various types of launch vehicles, such as large launch vehicles for high-altitude and planetary exploration and low-cost launch vehicles for small and medium-sized satellites in low Earth orbit, to be used according to purpose.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Post-Launch Status and Future Schedule

The performance verification satellite onboard Nuriho was confirmed to be in normal condition regarding battery, attitude control, and position through communication with the Daejeon KARI ground station on the morning of the launch day. The performance verification satellite is scheduled to sequentially deploy CubeSats developed by Chosun University, KAIST, Seoul National University, and Yonsei University at two-day intervals starting from the 29th. Four additional launches have been confirmed to improve reliability through repeated launches. First, the third Nuriho vehicle, currently completed and being assembled, is expected to be finished by the end of this year and used for launching the next-generation small satellite No. 2 around early next year. In 2024, 2026, and 2027, launches will carry the next-generation ultra-small satellite No. 1, ultra-small satellites No. 2?6, and ultra-small satellites No. 7?11, respectively.

Ko Jung-hwan, head of KARI, said in a briefing, "I think Nuriho (with the successful launch) has taken its first step. This is not the end; what and how to do next is limitless." He added, "The path for South Korea to go to space has opened, so everything is open regarding what to do with this and how to develop follow-up launch vehicles. This is just the beginning."