- Assembly begins on 12.2-meter, 6.4-ton reusable technology demonstrator

- Two flight tests planned at Naro Space Center in 2028

Researchers at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute inspect the fairing of the Nuri rocket. [Korea Aerospace Research Institute]
Researchers at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute inspect the fairing of the Nuri rocket. [Korea Aerospace Research Institute]

South Korea has formally entered the race to develop reusable launch vehicles, with plans to build a 12.2-meter, 6.4-ton test rocket and attempt a vertical takeoff and landing in 2028.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said Tuesday it had begun assembling the first flight model of a reusable technology demonstrator at Hanwha Aerospace's assembly facility in Suncheon.

The demonstrator is a test vehicle designed to verify core technologies before full-scale development of a reusable launch vehicle begins. It will ascend to low altitude using a small engine, then descend and land vertically — a series of tests intended to validate the flight control, propulsion and landing systems that a reusable launch vehicle requires.

The vehicle stands 12.2 meters tall and weighs 6.4 tons. It will be fitted with an 8-ton-class engine — smaller than the 80-ton-class engine under development for the next-generation reusable launch vehicle.

After completing full assembly and ground tests, the institute plans to conduct low-altitude vertical takeoff and landing flight tests at the Naro Space Center in 2028. This year, work will focus on combustion tests of the engine development model and fabrication of major components. By 2027, the institute aims to complete combustion tests on two flight-model engines and finish assembly and functional testing of the first demonstrator. Ground combustion tests and two actual flights will follow in 2028.

A diagram of the reusable technology demonstrator. [Korea Aerospace Research Institute]
A diagram of the reusable technology demonstrator. [Korea Aerospace Research Institute]

The central challenge is not only launching a vehicle into space but also returning it safely to the ground. Reusable launch vehicles are considered a key competitive advantage in the global space transportation market because they can lower launch costs and increase launch frequency.

The United States, Japan and Europe are all conducting technology verification using small demonstrators ahead of full-scale reusable launch vehicle development. Japan successfully completed an 11-meter vertical takeoff and landing test in July using its RV-X demonstrator, which measures 7.3 meters in length and 1.8 meters in diameter.

South Korea last year revised its project plan to develop the next-generation launch vehicle as a reusable rocket. The strategy is to reduce technical risk by repeatedly launching and landing a small demonstrator before full-scale next-generation launch vehicle development begins.

Private companies are playing a central role in the effort. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute has been co-developing the demonstrator since 2023 with Hanwha Aerospace, Vitzro Nextech and Hanyang ENG. Hanwha Aerospace is responsible for the overall system, Vitzro Nextech for the engine, and Hanyang ENG for ground facilities.

Korea Aerospace Research Institute Director General Lee Sang-cheol said the demonstrator project "is meaningful in that it allows us to verify in advance the technologies needed for reusable launch vehicle development and accumulate hands-on experience." He added that the institute would "work with private companies to advance engine verification, demonstrator development and flight testing in stages, laying the technical foundation needed to develop a reusable launch vehicle."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com