Unastella Achieves First Successful Test Launch of Independently Developed Rocket in Goheung

Una Express-I Reaches Target Altitude of 10 km

The private space launch startup Unastella has successfully launched a test rocket it developed independently.

While domestic launch vehicle startups have previously succeeded in test launches from overseas sites, this marks the first time a private company has independently succeeded in launching a rocket from Korean soil. This achievement is expected to revitalize the domestic launch vehicle market, which had been subdued due to repeated delays and failures.

Unastella successfully conducted a test launch of the small launch vehicle "Una Express" No. 1, equipped with a 5-ton thrust engine, with a length of 9.45 meters and a total weight of 2 tons, at its own launch site in Bongrae-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, at 11:50 PM on the 28th. Photo by Unastella

Unastella announced on May 29 that it had successfully conducted a test launch of the small launch vehicle "Una Express-I," equipped with a 5-ton thrust engine, measuring 9.45 meters in length and weighing 2 tons, at its own launch site in Bongrae-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, at 11:50 PM on the 28th.

The Una Express-I, which uses kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel, achieved its test launch goal of a 10-kilometer flight distance and then fell into the designated safety zone at sea off Goheung-gun.

The Una Express-I carried microgravity test devices currently being developed by research teams from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Korea Basic Science Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and Chungnam National University.

Unastella attempted its first test launch last year, but ignition failed due to a problem with the engine propulsion system, preventing Una Express-I from taking off. Last week, the company made another attempt, but the launch was postponed due to an issue with a valve in the ground-based fueling facility.

After resolving the valve issue, Unastella proceeded with the test launch on the 28th and succeeded. The launch of Una Express is significant in that it represents the first time a private company has independently succeeded in launching a vehicle from the Korean Peninsula.

Notably, Perigee Aerospace recently attempted its first test launch in Korea but did not succeed. In addition, Innospace has postponed its commercial launch schedule multiple times. Against this backdrop, Unastella's achievement brings welcome news to the domestic private launch vehicle market.

This launch is the first case of applying the Space Pioneer Project, a program by the Korea Aerospace Administration to localize space industry components, to an actual launch.

The Space Pioneer Project, overseen by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Space Pioneer Project Team, aims to localize space technologies that are highly dependent on foreign sources by developing core technologies up to the qualification model (QM) stage, focusing on industry participation. In November 2023, Unastella signed a memorandum of understanding to participate as a demand company in the Space Pioneer Project.

Unastella successfully conducted a test launch of the small launch vehicle "Una Express" No. 1, equipped with a 5-ton thrust engine, with a length of 9.45 meters and a total weight of 2 tons, at its own launch site in Bongrae-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, at 11:50 PM on the 28th. Photo by Unastella

This launch incorporated "avionics integration technology" from the domestic company Danam Systems and "quick-disconnect umbilical technology" from Hanyang ENG. Avionics integration technology is used in aircraft and launch vehicles to integrate flight control, navigation, and communications. Quick-disconnect umbilical technology integrates and connects all power, fuel, and signal lines between the launch vehicle and ground equipment into a single structure, allowing for connection and separation.

Building on the success of this test launch, Unastella plans to begin developing a space launch vehicle based on an electric motor pump cycle engine. This type of engine uses an electrically driven turbopump to pressurize and deliver fuel and oxidizer to the combustion chamber.

Unastella is a small company with 19 employees, founded in February 2022. The company directly handled the process of applying for about 20 civil-military-government permits to conduct the test launch and also received technical advice from former Korea Aerospace Research Institute president Cho Gwangrae.

Park Jaehong, CEO of Unastella, said, "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who generously supported us to make this launch a success," adding, "Unastella will continue to take on challenges so that we can contribute to Korea's emergence as a space powerhouse."

Yoon Youngbin, Commissioner of the Korea Aerospace Administration, said, "I sincerely congratulate Unastella on the successful launch of Una Express-I," and continued, "I applaud your relentless challenge and innovation in finally passing this important milestone for commercial launches. The Korea Aerospace Administration will actively support Unastella and other launch vehicle companies so they can conduct launches under even better conditions."