South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, occupies the southern half of the Korean peninsular in eastern Asia.
Members of the Federation
Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
Satrec Initiative
Background
South Korea first gained experience with missiles provided by the United States to counter North Korea. Since then, as part of its general success in the area of high technology, the Korean aerospace industry has developed apace.
Space activities in Korea
Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.
Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. is the Republic of Korea's national aerospace company established in 1999 with the consolidation of Samsung Aerospace, Daewoo Heavy Industries, and Hyundai Space and Aircraft Company.
KAI's products include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter aircraft and satellites. Its major products are the KF-16, KT-1 basic trainer, T-50/A-50, SB427 helicopters, aerostructures and KOMPSAT satellite programme.
Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is the aeronautics and space agency of South Korea, founded in 1981. Its main laboratories are located in Daejeon, in the Daedeok Science Town.
It is pursuing the establishment of the Korean Space Centre to develop and, in some cases, launch Korean satellites.
Past projects include the 1999 Arirang satellite, Science Observation Rockets 1 and 2 in 1993, the launch of mid-sized two stage science rockets in 1998, the launch of liquid fueled science rockets and technical support for the Mugunghwa 1, 2 and 3 communication and broadcasting satellites.
KARI activities include:
- Development of cutting-edge technology aircraft,
- Development of satellites and space launch vehicles.
- Quality certification of aircraft and space products for the government.
Current projects include the KSLV launcher. KARI has been developing a one-metre high-resolution camera to be mounted on a satellite in cooperation with Israel. This satellite is focused on communication, oceanography and meteorology.
Korea Space Centre
The Korea Space Centre is South Korea's first spaceport completed at the end of 2006 in Goheung county. Built on 4.95 million square metres of reclaimed land, the Korea Space Centre is expected to send a Korea Space Launch Vehicle into space in 2007.
The spaceport will be operated by KARI and will have features necessary for spaceflight operation: a launch tower, a control tower, rocket assembly, test facilities and space simulators.
Korean Astronomical and Space Science Institute (KASI)
KASI was established in 1974. It has a wide variety of research areas like optical, radio, theoretical and observational astronomy researches, and is expanding its areas through space sciences.
KASI is the first Global Data Centre in Asia and Oceania region providing International GNSS Services (IGS) and data products from more than 350 stations in the world to the global user community and does this mainly using web-based distribution.
KASI has also a programme on Near Earth Objects and is planning to host an International NEO Congress in Daejeon in 2008. The KASI President expressed interest in collaborating with the IAF on this venue.
In addition, KASI confirmed their interest in joining the Federation as a Member.
Electronic and Technology research Institute (ETRI)
ETRI is a private company based in the Daedock Research and Development valley. The company has a specific space division concentrated among others, on hi-tech telecom products (S-band and Ka/Ku Band transmitters and receivers) as well as mobile telecommunications terminals.
Satellite Technology Research Centre (SaTReC)
SaTReC was founded in 1989 as a small laboratory of the Korean Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST). It is now composed of 65 Researchers and is one of the largest research centres of KAIST in Korea.
With an annual budget of 8 million USD, SaTReC main activities cover R&D for remote sensing and space science micro-satellites (KITSAT and ST SAT Series), ground stations for data collection and in-orbit testing.
Space and Technology Cluster (ST Cluster)
The ST Cluster was formed in February 2005 with 35 research institutions and industrial organisations who decided to join forces in projects related to space technologies.
Among the companies is the Korean Air Aerospace Research Division which is very active in research and development in the field of Advanced Composite Structure, antennas, satellite bus structure and launch vehicle assembly.
The cluster is expecting a significant increase in membership that could reach 80 companies within the next two years.
Current Space Projects
The Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) will be the first space launcher from South Korea. It is being built under the authority of KARI.
The KSLV-I launch vehicle is based on the first stage of the Russian Angara rocket and will be built by Russia. The solid-fueled second stage of KSLV-I will be built by South Korea. The launch complex for KSLV will also be built by Russia. It will be capable of launching a satellite weighing 100 kilograms into low orbit. The first launch of KSLV-I is planned for the end of 2007.
KOREASAT is a procurement project to procure multipurpose satellites and have them launched through international tenders to be used for communication and broadcasting in Korea.
KOREASAT 5 will be South Korea's first combined civil and military communications satellite. Alcatel Space will supply both the multimission satellite and its ground control system, along with launch and early operations phase support.
Summary
KSR-I
Sounding rocket
First South Korean sounding rocket, an unguided single solid propellant stage vehicle. Development began in 1990 and the rocket was flown two times in 1993.
KSR-II
Sounding rocket
Two-stage South Korean sounding rocket, using two of the solid rocket motors developed for the KSR-I in tandem. Flown twice in 1997-1998.
KSR-III
Sounding rocket
Test bed for development of an orbital launch vehicle, powered by the liquid oxygen/kerosene engine planned for the KSLV-I. However flown only once in 2002.
KSLV-I
Orbital Launch Vehicle
In 2005 it was announced that the KSLV-I would not fly until 2007. It was now a completely different vehicle, consisting of a first stage derived from the Russian Angara launch vehicle, and a solid propellant second stage of South Korean manufacture.
KSLV-II
Orbital Launch Vehicle
South Korean launch vehicle, scheduled for first flight by 2010. Evidently will consist of a Russian Angara first stage and a South Korean liquid-propellant second stage.
KSLV-III
Orbital Launch Vehicle
South Korean launch vehicle, to consist of a Russian Angara first stage, a South Korean liquid propellant second stage, and a South Korean solid propellant apogee kick motor. Scheduled for first flight by 2015.
SSM Korea
Short-range ballistic missile
Arirang
Surveillance Civilian
KITSAT
Minisatellite project
Undergoing joint development with the UK Surrey University to be launched by a ARIANE launch vehicle.
KOMPSAT
Technology Communications
KOMPSAT-2
Surveillance Civilian
STSat
Technology
International cooperation
South Korea and Russia
South Korea decided to speed up development by joining forces with Russia, and cooperation began in 2004. A main aim of cooperation is to certify the South Korean space industry to use Russian technology.
A bilateral agreement between Russia and South Korea was signed on 2005 authorising the building of a space centre in South Korea and the training of a Korean astronaut for a mission at the International Space Station. A deal was struck on 24 October 2005 to send a Korean into space with Russian cosmonauts in 2008. Training would be done in Russia.
A series of agreements, including one on cooperation in the peaceful research and use of outer space, were signed when President Roh Moo-hyun visited Russia on 21 September 2004.
Russia is also helping to build the Korea Space Centre.
South Korea and COPUOS
In 2001, the UN General Assembly decided that the practice of sharing seats on a rotational basis by Cuba, Malaysia, Peru and the Republic of Korea should be terminated and that the four States become full members of the Committee.
Please see http://www.un.org/events/unispace3/speeches/19kor.htm for more information.
The following treaty information has been furnished in conformity with the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space: http://www.unoosa.org/pdf/ser438E.pdf
Outer Space Treaty
Status: Ratified
Depository: Washington (Signature: 27 January 1967, Party 13 October 1967)
Rescue Agreement
Status: Ratified
Depository: Washington (Signature: 9 May 1968, Party 4 April 1969)
Liability Convention
Status: Ratified
Depository: London (Signature: 14 January 1980)
Depository: Washington (Signature: 29 March 1972, Party 14 January 1980)
Registration Convention
Status: Acceded
Depository: UN (Party 14 October 1981)
Moon agreement
Status: Non-party
Further information can be found in UN Key Document: A/AC. 105/814 (25 November 2003): A report on the United Nations/ Republic of Korea Workshop on Space Law on the Theme "United Nations treaties on outer space: actions at the national level" (Daejeon, 3-6 November 2003)
SaTReC (Daejeon) : Satellite Technology Research Centre
KARI (Daejeon) : Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
KASI (Daejeon) : Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Headquarters
TRAO (Daejeon) : Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory
SOAO (Tanyang) : Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory
BOAO (Youngchun) : Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory
KVN : Korean VLBI Network
