[Reading Science] The Dream of the 'Korean SpaceX' Crushed by Waves

Private Space Companies Unable to Secure Land Launch Sites Domestically
Ferizy Attempts Test Launch Off Jeju Island Coast
Launch Delayed Due to Weather, Sea Launch Site Stalled
"Determined to Keep Trying" but Disappointed Over Lack of Land Launch Permission

"Although the dream of the first private startup company in our country, not overseas, to successfully conduct a rocket test launch has been temporarily halted, we will continue to challenge until the end."

Nam Chang-hyun, Vice President of Perrige Aerospace, is pointing to the offshore launch platform barge stranded in the waters off Jeju Island and explaining the situation at the time of the grounding. Photo by Baek Jong-min

On November 27th, over 16 cm of snow accumulated in Seoul, marking the highest snowfall in November in 117 years. At the same time, a devastating piece of news reached the young people challenging space from the southernmost sea west of Jeju Island. The offshore platform barge for launching the private space company Perigee Aerospace's rocket, 'Blue Whale,' was stranded on the coast of Yongsu-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju, unable to withstand the fierce waves.

Walking about five minutes along the Yongsu-ri Olle Trail starting at the entrance of Sinchang Coastal Road, where Chagwido Island shaped like a whale is visible, I saw Perigee's barge leaning to one side, battling the waves. The letters "PERIGEE AEROSPACE" engraved on the side of the barge were fading as the waves washed over them, symbolizing the reality faced by Korea's private space industry.

Normally, pillars supporting the barge for rocket launches would be lowered into the sea, but they were thrust upward in reverse. One of the four pillars was embedded in the seabed. It was not hard to imagine the impact the barge endured from the waves and wind on the night it was stranded.

On the afternoon of November 27, a barge for launching space launch vehicles from 'Perrige Aerospace' ran aground on the coast of Yongsu-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, and is being battered by strong waves. Yonhap News

The sea where the barge was stranded was a cliff with a horseshoe-shaped coastline. Waves crashed, and a considerable amount of marine debris had accumulated. It was easy to tell that this area usually experiences strong waves and winds.

The surrounding scenery also showed that the place where Perigee intended to test-launch the rocket from the barge was not an ideal launch site. There was a wave power plant in the sea, and wind turbines were spinning vigorously on land, indicating strong waves and winds.

Why did the rocket startup company attempt to launch rockets in such a harsh environment? Perigee is a company recognized by the Ministry of Science and ICT for its 'cryogenic propellant engine technology for space launch vehicles' as a national strategic technology. Nam Chang-hyun, Perigee's Vice President, said, "It was an unavoidable choice." Currently, there is no place in Korea where private companies can conduct rocket test launches on land. The Naro Space Center in Goheung, operated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), exists but is not open to private companies. The sea is the only remaining option.

Near the sea where Perigee was about to conduct a rocket test launch, numerous wind turbines on land were spinning vigorously. A Perigee official explained that when the wind is strong and the waves and swells are high, it is difficult to launch rockets at sea. Photo by Baek Jong-min

Korea is almost a barren land for rocket launches. Its narrow territory is blocked by China, Japan, and North Korea. The hard-won launch site is the Naro Space Center in Goheung. However, Goheung is a 'pie in the sky' for private companies. KARI, the government-funded research institute managing the Naro Space Center, has not yet opened its doors.

The only private company that has conducted tests in Goheung is Hanwha Aerospace. Even then, it was possible because the rocket was developed under KARI's guidance. Hanwha Aero, selected as the next-generation launch vehicle system integrator, also considered the idea of building a large-scale marine launch barge together with its affiliate Hanwha Ocean.

In October, Han Min-su, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee from the Democratic Party, demanded measures during the national audit, stating that since 2009, only seven test launches have been conducted at the Naro Space Center?three for Naroho and four for Nuriho?and there are no records of use by entities other than KARI.

Han said that private companies inquired about using the Naro Space Center, which had received 550 billion won in public funds, but KARI responded that it could not be used due to the Nuriho launch preparation schedule. He pointed out, "There are two launch pads at the Naro Space Center, and since Nuriho launches have only been conducted at the second pad since 2021, if there is willingness, the first pad could be opened to private and military use, but it seems KARI lacks the will." KARI is reportedly considering opening the Naro Space Center to private companies. However, the appointment of a new director has been delayed due to the presidential impeachment crisis, so the decision is expected to take some time.

The test launch vehicle 'Blue Whale 0.4' by Perigee Aerospace is standing upright on the launch pad on a maritime platform off the coast of Jeju while preparing for a suborbital test launch. Photo by Perigee Aerospace, Yonhap News Agency

In this situation, some companies are turning their eyes to overseas launch sites. Innospace conducted test launches at the Alc?ntara Launch Center in Brazil. The process involved astronomical costs and time. The difficulties encountered in collaborating with the local launch center were also considerable.

Despite numerous obstacles, Perigee has persistently insisted on launching within Korea. Founded by rocket enthusiasts in their teens and early twenties, the company is still led by CEO Shin Dong-yoon and Vice President Nam, both in their twenties. The young entrepreneurs vowed to make Korea a base for rocket launches. Having witnessed Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, stubbornly fail repeatedly before succeeding in space, the young engineers decided to take on their own reckless challenge.

Vice President Nam said, "Only tens of billions of won were invested in building the barge, and it took a week to move it from the Gunsan shipyard to Jeju." Choosing the area in front of Yongsu-ri as the launch site was unavoidable. Nam said, "It was a place where consensus with residents was reached and where local government permission was obtained, so rather than looking elsewhere, we decided to take our chances here."

Since May, Perigee has floated the barge and attempted to launch the suborbital test vehicle BW0.4. Vice President Nam, who directed barge operations throughout the summer, said, "There were many trial and error processes, and know-how began to accumulate."

The 'Dragon King' of Jeju's sea did not easily allow Perigee's challenge. They repeatedly waited for suitable weather conditions for launch and prepared, but each time it was in vain. Then, the launch vehicle developed a problem. The launch vehicle, enduring the hot summer sun and sea waves, showed its limits. CEO Shin ultimately decided to postpone the launch attempt, aiming for next year.

Vice President Shim Soo-yeon said, "It was heartbreaking, but we concluded that postponing now is the right decision for the team members and investors." Winter was approaching. It was impossible to launch rockets facing strong winter winds. A temporary retreat was necessary. The brief retreat turned into a long-term one. It will take considerable time to repair the barge.

The company shows strong determination to challenge the launch again in the second half of next year. Kim Cheol-jin, Perigee Aerospace team leader, said, "We will reattempt the domestic suborbital test launch planned for the second half of 2024 once some improvements, including the marine launch platform, are completed," adding, "Although it is an extremely difficult challenge, we will make 2025 the inaugural year proving that private companies can launch space launch vehicles domestically."

While the offshore launch challenge continues, alternatives are also needed. To achieve scenes like SpaceX recovering a Super Heavy rocket returning to the ground with giant chopsticks, there are limits to offshore launches, and it is necessary to open land-based launch test sites to private companies. Vice President Nam said, "If they just lend us a piece of land tens of meters wide, the size of the barge, at the Naro Space Center, we could try."

The Korea Space Agency explains that once the first phase of the Goheung private launch vehicle launch site project is completed by 2026, it will be available for private use. The problem is that the first phase project is a solid launch vehicle launch site, so it is difficult for private companies developing liquid launch vehicles to use it immediately.

Vice President Nam said, "To truly become a new space power, Korea must have its own launch capability," adding, "If all domestic companies launch rockets overseas, can we really become a new space power?"