Innospace, a Korean private space launch vehicle company, is moving to build a full-cycle space platform encompassing everything from launch vehicle development to data services.
Innospace said Monday it has established a new satellite business division and will build core infrastructure at its Cheongju campus, including satellite development and manufacturing, system integration, operation and testing, and satellite antenna systems. Based on this, the company plans to provide integrated services centered on customized satellite design and manufacturing, and will later expand into satellite communications and data services through ground station connectivity.
The newly established satellite division will complete the development of the 3U CubeSat "InnoSat-0." The satellite is scheduled to be loaded onto "HANBIT-Nano," with a launch planned for the third quarter of this year, to verify core technologies including attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), communications, power systems, and orbit control. InnoSat-0 is a technology demonstration satellite designed to confirm satellite performance and stability in an actual operational environment, and is expected to serve as a foundation for securing the base technologies needed to implement commercial satellite services in the future.
In particular, the InnoSat-0 launch is expected to mark the first case where a Korean private launch vehicle company demonstrates the capability to independently carry out the entire process from satellite development to launch and operation.
Innospace plans to continue advancing its proprietary satellite technology through repeated launches using its HANBIT launch vehicle, while differentiating orbital maneuvering and operational performance by applying its propulsion technology to satellites. Through this approach, the company plans to progressively build service capabilities that can handle high-complexity satellite missions.
"The establishment of this satellite division is the starting point for realizing our vision as a vertically integrated space platform provider, expanding beyond our launch vehicle-centered business to satellite development, launch, operation, and data services," said Kim Su-jong, CEO of Innospace. "Building on our launch capabilities, we will rapidly complete vertical integration into satellite manufacturing and utilization, diversify our revenue structure, and improve profitability to further strengthen our competitiveness in the global space market."