Hanwha Aerospace Begins Final Assembly of Reusable Launch Vehicle
Hanwha Aerospace has begun final assembly of its 'reusable technology demonstrator.' The project is led by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, with Hanwha Aerospace serving as systems integrator. It is a joint development effort involving domestic space companies such as Witcore Nextech and Hanyang ENG.
Hanwha Aerospace said its goal is to complete flight demonstration by 2028 and secure core launch vehicle reuse technologies akin to SpaceX's Falcon 9 in the United States. The flight test will take place in 2028. The demonstrator is expected to lift off vertically, ascend to an altitude of 500 meters in about 90 seconds, and then land vertically at a designated point. The demonstration will validate the technologies needed to recover and land a launch vehicle, including engine thrust control, attitude control, and guidance and control.
Launch vehicle reuse technology involves recovering and reusing major structural components. SpaceX has recovered and reused the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket multiple times.
Hanwha Aerospace has built up domestic launch vehicle manufacturing and assembly capabilities as the systems integrator for the Nuri rocket. This project expands the company's technological footprint from expendable launch vehicles into reusable ones. Hanwha Aerospace plans to leverage the demonstrator's development to secure first-stage reuse technology for the next-generation launch vehicle scheduled for the mid-2030s. In the longer term, the company aims to enhance the price competitiveness of domestic launch services and lay the groundwork for entering the global space transportation market.
A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "Securing launch vehicle reuse technology is an essential task for growing into the 'Korean SpaceX,'" adding, "We will carry out the research successfully with KARI and our partners to contribute to strengthening Korea's space transportation capabilities and fostering the growth of the private space industry ecosystem."
