The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) has announced its intention to develop a comprehensive space transport system, including a “space passageway”, to compete with market leader SpaceX. KASA administrator Yoon Young-bin stated that the agency aims to capture a 10% global market share by 2045 and reduce the cost of space transport within low Earth orbit to below $1,000 per kilogram.
Currently, SpaceX dominates the market with transport rates ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per kilogram. KASA also plans to construct a space observatory to improve space weather forecasting and support future Mars missions.
Modelled after NASA, KASA will serve as an “aerospace control tower”, overseeing aerospace policy, satellite development, and space missions, including moon exploration. South Korea has made significant progress in space exploration, launching its first lunar orbiter, Danuri, in 2022 and successfully launching its homegrown Nuri rocket last year.
The country is preparing for its fourth Nuri rocket launch in the second half of 2025, further solidifying its position in the global space industry.
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