Goheung-gun, a Strong Leap Toward Becoming a Space Industry Hub City

Designation of Space Industry Cluster in October, Preliminary Feasibility Study in November

Full Effort to Establish National Industrial Complex and Attract Launch Vehicle Anchor Companies

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Jeong-woo] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced that it is making a vigorous leap toward becoming a space industry hub city through the ‘Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster’ project by preparing 21 core tasks in 7 fields with a budget of 808.2 billion KRW by 2031, centered around the Naro Space Center.

This project is included in the new government’s 120 national tasks and plans to establish a triangular system with Gyeongnam as a satellite industry specialized zone, Daejeon as a research and talent development special zone, and Goheung focusing on launch vehicle functions to foster the space industry. In July, the Ministry of Science and ICT selected two candidate sites, including Jeollanam-do and Gyeongnam.

The Space Industry Cluster project is a mid- to long-term project to foster a private-led space industry in preparation for the New-Space era. The county is promoting the creation of a private-led “Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster” that enables private companies to settle in connection with the Naro Space Center and develop launch vehicles through one-stop technology development, testing, evaluation, and certification.

The main projects include △ establishing a ‘Launch Vehicle Specialized National Industrial Complex’ to concentrate launch vehicle and related upstream and downstream companies ▲ building a ‘Comprehensive Corporate Support Center’ to perform functions such as research and development, testing, evaluation, certification, corporate support, and professional workforce training ▲ expanding the “Private Launch Pad,” a core infrastructure facility for private space development ▲ constructing private combustion test facilities and launch vehicle assembly clean rooms.

Additionally, the project promotes the establishment of the “Space Launch Vehicle Science Complex,” a space science experience and education facility, supports the ‘Diversification Support Project for Aerospace Parts Businesses’ to convert and expand excellent material and parts companies into the aerospace field, and advances the “Basic Technology Research Project for Space Agriculture” to establish a system supplying food for astronauts.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to make the final designation after the National Space Committee’s review in October, conduct a preliminary feasibility study in November, complete the feasibility study within 2023, and allocate the budget accordingly. The county plans to do its best to respond to the preliminary feasibility study together with Jeollanam-do.

Governor Gong Young-min said, “We have pinned our hopes on the Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster as a stepping stone to establish a population base of 100,000 in 10 years,” and emphasized that as a core project for job creation and economic revitalization, “We will mobilize all administrative power to establish a national industrial complex and attract anchor launch vehicle companies, and continuously propose to companies, the National Assembly, central government ministries, and Jeollanam-do to ensure the project is successfully promoted.”

Meanwhile, the county plans to firmly secure the drone market through various projects related to drones, such as regularly holding the Drone Expo and Drone Light Show, establishing an unmanned aviation specialized agricultural and industrial complex, future flying vehicle projects, and creating a drone major, alongside fostering the space launch vehicle industry.

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr