The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) will conduct a public bidding process for a site to build a second space center, targeting local governments nationwide from the 22nd through August 6, the agency said Monday.
KASA is preparing to establish a second space center that can concentrate research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and test evaluation capabilities to strengthen the foundation for the development of Korea's domestic space industry. Through this, the agency aims to secure infrastructure capable of stably responding to demand for reusable launch vehicle operations and frequent satellite launches.
Major space powers such as the United States and Europe operate multiple launch sites, giving them launch flexibility and industrial competitiveness. By contrast, Korea relies on a single facility, the Naro Space Center in South Jeolla Province, leaving it limited in diversifying its space transport capabilities through support for private small and solid-fuel launch demand.
The second space center will include facilities necessary for reusable operations, such as a launch pad and landing pad for reusable launch vehicles. KASA plans to support the execution of national space development missions, including the launch of observation, communication, and navigation satellites and exploration of the Moon and Mars, through frequent launch operations of reusable next-generation launch vehicles and various private launch vehicles.
The submitted hosting plans for the second space center site will be reviewed by a selection committee. The final selection result is scheduled to be announced in October. "The second space center is core infrastructure for a qualitative leap in the Republic of Korea's space industry," KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok stressed. "Based on active participation and cooperation from regions, we will create a new launch hub where the space industry can grow to its full potential."
