A Satellite Will Be Sent With Nuri Space Rocket by 2027 to Dispose of Space Debris

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it would begin developing a Capture Satellite that can perform various tasks in terms of retrieving or repairing space assets like the KITSAT-1, which has reached the end of its lifespan, in space orbit.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held an online briefing on the Space Object Active Control Advanced Technology Development Project at the Korea Research Foundation at 3 PM on the 27th to announce that they will begin through a public contest to be held this year.

Space-object active control refers to the technology allowing the extension of the lifespan of space assets like satellites and asteroids by approaching them, changing their position or orbit, supplying fuel, repairing, or towing them to a new orbit. This technology is essential for space exploration missions to the moon, Mars, asteroids, and other celestial bodies.

According to the announcement by the Korea Research Foundation, the project aims to demonstrate space object control technology in space by removing Korean space debris that has completed its mission from space orbit. It plans to support about $40 million from this year to 2028. The budget for the first year is approximately $2.2 million.

Advanced space nations have already achieved missions such as close exploration of asteroids or space objects in Earth’s orbit, sample collection and return, and protection of space orbits. Recently, the number of space companies aiming to extend satellite missions’ lifespan and control the position of space objects has been increasing.

In Korea, basic-level research has been conducted on technologies such as multi-joint robotic arm service satellites for active control of space objects and capturing space trash using space nets. Recently, there has been a surge in interest among researchers in this field, and many papers have been published.

Kim Ki-seok, Director of the Space Technology Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, explained that the project is “to support the development of a demonstration satellite that can provide various services in orbit, starting from the mission to return KITSAT-1, Korea’s first artificial satellite.” He added that the goal is to launch it on the Nuri space rocket by the end of 2027.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Research Foundation have been conducting a public contest to select the leading research institute responsible for the evolution of the Active Technology Demonstration Satellite through their website since the 20th. The application deadline is March 25th, and they plan to select the leading research institute through an evaluation at the end of March and sign a contract.

Noh Kyung-won, Head of the Research and Development Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “We plan to secure key technologies to leap to an advanced space nation through the Active Control Demonstration Satellite early on, and we expect that this technology can be used in the space service industry that provides orbiting satellite support services in the future.”