20 Billion Won Increase for 'Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project'... Preparations Begin for 7th Nuriho Launch

2026 Korea Aerospace Administration Budget Set at 1.1201 Trillion Won
Strategic Investments in Space Transportation, Satellites, Exploration, and Talent Development
Expanded Support for University CubeSat Development and Launch Programs

The Korea Aerospace Administration announced on December 2 that the National Assembly has finalized the 2026 budget at 1.1201 trillion won. This includes an increase of 2 billion won for the "Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project" and an additional 950 million won for the "Expansion of Aerospace Culture Base" project, which supports the development and launch of CubeSats by university and graduate students.

This budget increase is interpreted as reflecting preparations for the seventh launch of Nuriho, scheduled for 2028, as well as an expanded focus on fostering future space talent.

The Korea Aerospace Administration's 2026 budget marks the first time the agency has surpassed the 1 trillion won threshold, totaling 1.552 trillion won (16.1%) more than this year's 964.9 billion won. Strategic investments to achieve the new administration's national agenda of "K-Space Challenge with Our Technology" are expected to be in full swing.

Yoon Youngbin, Director General, celebrating at the Naro Space Center Launch Command Center after the fourth launch of Nuriho. Provided by Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

The 2026 budget will be allocated across six key areas: strengthening space transportation capabilities and securing new technologies (266.2 billion won); innovating satellite-based communications, navigation, and observation (236.2 billion won); creating future space industries through ambitious exploration (96.8 billion won); securing leadership in future aviation technology and supply chain stability (51.1 billion won); establishing a private sector-led industrial ecosystem (173.8 billion won); and nurturing aerospace professionals and practical diplomacy (255.9 billion won).

In particular, the increased budget for the Korean Launch Vehicle Advancement Project is intended to lay the groundwork in 2026 for the on-schedule seventh launch of Nuriho in 2028. Research to improve launch vehicle performance, expand private sector participation, and advance systems is expected to accelerate preparations for the "next-generation launch vehicle era."

Additionally, practical education support will be strengthened, enabling university and graduate students to design, build, and even launch CubeSats themselves. This will further expand the environment for nurturing young space researchers.

Yoon Youngbin, Director General of the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated, "With the successful fourth launch of Nuriho, we have significantly increased the budget for new technology development and support for startups and growth so that the private sector can become the main driver of space development. We will continue to invest in securing game-changing technologies such as reusable launch vehicles and foster the space and aerospace industries as national core industries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.