South Korea Aims to Establish Low-Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Network by 2035

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network composed of hundreds of satellites by 2035. The strategy was approved earlier in the day by the National Space Council, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung.

Key Objectives of the Plan

The main objectives of the plan include:

• Building a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network that will help strengthen South Korea’s domestic satellite and launch vehicle development and manufacturing ecosystem.
• Accelerating the country’s first lunar landing to 2030, two years ahead of schedule.
• Laying the groundwork for an expanded lunar exploration program.

KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok emphasized the importance of building a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network, stating that ‘leading space nations are making all-out efforts to build low-Earth orbit satellite communications networks, which are critical infrastructure for safeguarding national security and communications sovereignty, as well as a strategic foundation for the 6G era.’

Plan Details

The agency plans to launch between 128 and 512 satellites, which cost at least 4 trillion won (US$2.62 billion) and up to 13.2 trillion won every five years. The government also plans to set up a special purpose company (SPC) along with private firms for the sale of information amassed through satellites.

The SPC, to be more than 70 percent owned by private firms, is expected to generate over $1.7 billion in sales by 2034, the agency said.

Accelerating Lunar Exploration

KASA also aims to bring forward South Korea’s first lunar landing to 2030, two years ahead of schedule. Instead of waiting for the next-generation launch vehicle, which is scheduled to debut in 2032, the government plans to send a privately developed small lunar lander aboard the three-stage Nuri rocket in 2030.

Oh also said South Korea plans to launch a lunar communications orbiter in 2029 and an Earth-moon scientific exploration probe in 2031 to lay the groundwork for an expanded lunar exploration program.

Benefits of the Plan

The plan to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network and accelerate lunar exploration will have several benefits for South Korea, including:

• Strengthening the country’s domestic satellite and launch vehicle development and manufacturing ecosystem.
• Laying the groundwork for an expanded lunar exploration program.
• Improving national security and communications sovereignty.