Hanwha Systems to Establish Satellite Development and Manufacturing 'Mecca' in Jeju Island

Jeju Hanwha Space Center Construction
Former Tamna University Site Total Floor Area 10,000㎡

Hanwha Systems announced on the 29th that it will build the 'Jeju Hanwha Space Center' with a total floor area of approximately 10,000㎡ in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The center will be fully equipped with satellite development, manufacturing, and testing facilities.

A bird's-eye view of the Jeju Hanwha Space Center being built by Hanwha Systems at Haweon Techno Campus, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island. [Photo by Hanwha Systems]

On the same day, Hanwha Systems held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Jeju Hanwha Space Center at the former Tamna University site. The center, to be established at the Haweon Techno Campus in Seogwipo City, will have a total floor area of about 11,443㎡, consisting of one basement floor and two above-ground floors, serving as satellite development and manufacturing facilities. Completion is targeted for the end of next year.

The first floor above ground will house facilities for satellite development, assembly, and functional and performance testing, while the second floor will contain the space center control room and office spaces.

Hanwha Systems explained that the center will be capable of producing between 4 to a maximum of 8 satellites per month. Based on years of accumulated experience in the space business, the production process has been optimized. Equipment such as 'thermal vacuum testing,' which verifies satellite operability in space environments, and 'near-field testing,' which tests satellite antenna performance at close range, have been installed redundantly to significantly reduce the time required at each production stage.

Hanwha Systems stated, "We expect production capacity to increase further as the testing process is simplified by additionally installing automated manufacturing and assembly equipment in the future."

After establishing the center, Hanwha Systems plans to secure a private-sector-led satellite development and manufacturing production base to enter both domestic and global space markets. They intend to activate the high value-added satellite service industry by utilizing satellite data. Representative applications include analyzing vegetation status of land, water resources, and forest resources through high-resolution satellite image analysis, environmental monitoring, disaster and security surveillance, data analysis for geographic information system (GIS) design, and location-based services (LBS) necessary for autonomous driving and smart city construction.

Oh Seong-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said, "The center will be a cradle for satellite development and manufacturing, creating innovative technology and economic value. Hanwha Systems will build a space industry value chain from satellite development, manufacturing, launch, control, to services together with Hanwha Space Hub and capable small and medium-sized space enterprises."