South Korea is aiming to establish a network of hundreds of low-Earth orbit satellites by 2035 and expedite the country’s first lunar landing to 2030, as announced by the state-run Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). The plan was revealed during a public briefing on advanced industry development in Jinju, with approval from the National Space Council chaired by President Lee Jae Myung. This initiative is intended to bolster South Korea’s satellite and launch vehicle development capabilities and emulate SpaceX’s Starlink network.
KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok emphasized the significance of low-Earth orbit satellite communications networks, citing them as crucial infrastructure for national security, communications sovereignty, and the upcoming 6G era. The agency also plans to advance the lunar landing schedule to 2030, utilizing a privately developed small lunar lander aboard the Nuri rocket. This approach bypasses the wait for the next-generation launch vehicle, set for 2032.
In addition to the lunar landing goals, South Korea intends to launch a lunar communications orbiter in 2029 and an Earth-moon scientific exploration probe in 2031 to pave the way for an expanded lunar exploration program. Furthermore, the country is set to send a public-private delegation to Europe to enhance space cooperation with European nations, including organizing “Space Day” events in Belgium, Romania, and Poland. This effort aims to strengthen collaboration with the European Union, NATO, and key Eastern European countries.
