Naraspace Selected as Implementing Organization for Space Semiconductor Verification Satellite Development Project

Seven Types of Korean Semiconductors to Undergo Space Demonstration
Accelerating the Accumulation of Private-Led "Space Heritage"

Global small satellite total solution provider Naraspace Technology announced on January 20 that it has been selected as the implementing organization for the "Development and Demonstration of Space Semiconductor Verification Payload and Design of Microsatellite" project, part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's Global Top Space·Aerospace Semiconductor Strategic Research Group program, led by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI).

The purpose of this project is to verify the reliability and space environment adaptability of domestically produced space semiconductors in actual orbit. A total of seven types of Korean semiconductors will be loaded onto a 6U-class microsatellite and operated for an extended period in extreme space environments, such as radiation, thermal vacuum, and vibration, to collect data. The collected data will be used to advance semiconductor reliability models and to expand the application of these semiconductors to domestic and international satellite systems in the future.

For this project, Naraspace will develop both the semiconductor verification payload and the satellite bus, and will handle the entire process from launch and orbital deployment to operation and verification in the actual space environment. Previously, the company successfully completed in-orbit demonstration by developing and operating a satellite equipped with space-grade devices from major domestic semiconductor companies for the fourth Nuri rocket launch mission. With its continued participation in this ETRI project, Naraspace has once again demonstrated its capabilities.

Notably, Naraspace remains the only private company in Korea to have performed both satellite development and in-orbit demonstration for space semiconductor verification. The company plans to build up "space heritage" for Korean space semiconductors based on accumulated in-orbit verification experience, and to continue establishing a technical infrastructure for proposing standard verification platforms and commercializing space components.

Lee Jeongkyu, Executive Director of Business at Naraspace, said, "It is highly significant that we are verifying space-grade semiconductors in actual environments based on the proven Observer-1A and GyeonggiSat-1A satellite bus systems. This selection is further recognition of our technological and operational capabilities, and we will continue to expand the foundation so that semiconductors proven through in-orbit demonstration can become core components in the global market."