Seoul: The national space agency announced plans to invest a total of 806.4 billion won (US$562.5 million) in research and development projects this year. This initiative aims to position the Republic of Korea among the top five global leaders in the aerospace sector.
According to Lao News Agency, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) revealed that its R and D budget for 2025 represents a 43.3 percent increase compared to last year’s allocation. Specifically, 187.4 billion won will be directed towards projects by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
Additionally, 147.8 billion won will be allocated to advance Korea’s space rocket technologies. The development of a next-generation space rocket will receive 150.8 billion won, while 500 million won is earmarked for reusable rocket technologies.
KASA also plans to invest 24.9 billion won in creating a microsatellite swarm and 35 billion won in a geostationary orbit communications satellite. Furthermore, the agency will collaborate with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on a Lunar Space Environment Monitor project, investing 7.3 billion won. An additional 45 billion won will be used for its independent lunar spacecraft development project.