Laying the Foundation for 6G Satellite Communication... Domestic Companies Also Gain Momentum [Nuriho Success]

Hanwha to Launch Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication Pilot Service Next Year
KT Plans to Secure Geostationary and Non-Geostationary Orbit Satellites
LGU+ Prepares Optimal Network with KAIST

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] With the Korean launch vehicle Nuriho, developed purely with domestic technology, successfully reaching space, it is being evaluated that the foundation for 6G satellite communication has been established. The low Earth orbit satellite communication business of domestic companies is also expected to gain momentum.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 22nd, Nuriho is a launch vehicle with a total length of 47.2 meters and a weight of 200 tons. Developed since March 2010, Nuriho is designed to be capable of deploying a 1.5-ton class practical satellite into low Earth orbit (600?800 km). Low Earth orbit is a blue ocean attracting attention from leading American space communication companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. Although the operational range of satellites narrows as altitude decreases, the communication distance shortens, resulting in less communication delay, making low Earth orbit more suitable for communication than other orbits. The Ministry of Science and ICT also announced last June that it plans to build a low Earth orbit communication satellite pilot network for 6G satellite communication by 2031, consisting of 14 small communication satellites.

With the success of Nuriho, Korea can now directly launch satellites for building the Korean Satellite Navigation System, 6G communication, urban air mobility (UAM) using drones, and communication satellites for satellite internet. Since domestic private companies have also been developing low Earth orbit satellite communication technology, it is anticipated that the success of Nuriho will strengthen their business.

Hanwha Systems, a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, announced that it will start a low Earth orbit satellite communication pilot service through the launch of an independent communication satellite by 2023. Hanwha Systems' satellite communication business division aims to enter the market in 2025, achieving initial sales of 1.1 trillion won, and reach a global market share of 14.5% by 2030.

KT’s subsidiary, satellite communication operator KT SAT, expects a rapid increase in data processing demand in the hyper-connected era and plans to secure all types of satellites, including low Earth orbit satellites below 2,000 km altitude, geostationary orbit satellites (GEO) at 36,000 km altitude, and non-geostationary orbit satellites (NGSO). LG Uplus, together with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), has found the optimal network configuration for low Earth orbit satellites at 2,000 km altitude to be used for 6G through quantum computing. If this technology succeeds, 6G communication will be possible even on airplanes or in deserts.

Choi Kyung-il, CTO of KT SAT, said, "Securing launch technology means securing upstream technology in the space business," adding, "We expect to be able to fully utilize this technology domestically while conducting satellite business, and if support for the private sector is provided, development will accelerate in a more positive direction."