Call for Proposals: Third Domestic Component and Device Space Verification Satellite to Be Launched on Nuriho No. 6

Launch Targeted for 2027
Opportunity for Domestic Industry, Academia, and Research Institutes
Space Environment Validation for Korean Electrical and Electronic Components

The call for payload proposals for the third domestically produced component and device space verification satellite, which will be launched aboard the Nuriho No. 6 in 2027, has begun. The Korea Aerospace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute announced on January 9 that they are accepting applications for payloads to be mounted on the third space verification satellite under the "Domestic Component and Device Space Verification Support Program" from January 7 until 5:00 p.m. on February 6.

Researchers are conducting the final inspection of the next-generation medium satellite 3 and the cube satellite ejection tube, which were mounted on the Nuriho No. 4, at the satellite test building of Naro Space Center, Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, last November. Photo by Korea Aerospace Research Institute

The space verification support program is a four-year initiative running from 2024 to 2027, with a total investment of 12 billion won. The program aims to validate the performance of domestically developed electrical and electronic components and semiconductor research outcomes in actual space environments. A cube satellite-based verification platform (12U class, 1U = 10×10×10 cm) will be developed, allowing up to 8U of components and devices-developed by domestic companies and research institutes-to be mounted at the board and module level. The program will assess performance and reliability under conditions such as space radiation, vacuum, and thermal cycles.

The payloads selected through this call will be mounted on the third space verification satellite and launched aboard the sixth Nuriho launch, scheduled for 2027. Detailed application guidelines and required documents can be found on the websites of the Korea Aerospace Administration and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

The payloads selected for the second space verification satellite included SK Hynix's DRAM and UFS, Insera Solution's high-speed and precision adjustment mirror, Momentum Space's reaction wheel, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)'s attitude determination and system module, Cosmo B's hollow cathode for electric thrusters, and Intergravity Technologies' testbed for avionics equipment for orbital transporters. These payloads are scheduled to undergo space verification during the fifth Nuriho launch, planned for this year.

The first space verification satellite was launched aboard the fourth Nuriho launch in November last year and succeeded in establishing two-way communication in early December. It is currently performing its mission as planned. The first satellite carried domestic components and devices (totaling 8U) from 10 organizations, including Samsung Electronics (DRAM and NAND), KAIST Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Laboratory (AD/DA ASIC), MID (SRAM), Union Precision (D-sub connector), and Samwha Capacitor Group (multilayer ceramic capacitor).

Lee Hyohui, Acting Director of the Aerospace Industry Bureau, stated, "This call is an opportunity for domestic components and devices to be verified in actual space environments and to gain flight heritage aboard the Nuriho No. 6. We will continue to provide support to strengthen the competitiveness of components and devices, which form the foundation of the space industry."