This undated photo provided by Innospace shows HANBIT-TLV, its suborbital test launch vehicle, erected on the launch pad at the Alcantara Space Center in northern Brazil.
SEOUL, March 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea jumped into the business of establishing private space launch sites under the goal of rolling out services in 2024. However, it’s uncertain whether the goal will be met.
According to industry sources, the countries currently building or planning new launch sites are Britain, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Indonesia and Thailand.
According to the market research firm Euro Consultant, there were 2,013 small satellites for which 2024-2030 launch contracts were not yet fixed as of 2020.
Under the goal of building a new launch site at the Naro Space Center in the southern coastal village of Goheung, South Korea applied for a preliminary feasibility study worth 800 billion won (US$615 million) last year, and the application is now under review.
The government plans to build the first-stage solid launch site by 2024 to support private demand.
However, since the Naro Space Center is located near Dadohae National Marine Park, the construction needs to pass an environmental impact assessment and review by the Environmental Ministry’s National Parks Committee.
There are several procedures required in order to obtain licensing, and as of the present, no agenda related to the Naro Space Center has been brought up with the committee.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
