Hanwha Aerospace Begins Assembly of Reusable Rocket Demonstrator
A 12.2-meter-tall, 6.4-ton vehicle that launches vertically and returns to land at a designated site is bringing the dream of a “Korean SpaceX” closer to reality. Hanwha Aerospace announced on Sept. 30 that it had begun the full assembly of a “reusable technology demonstrator” in collaboration with
Hanwha Aerospace has initiated the assembly of a reusable rocket demonstrator, marking progress towards the nation's goal of a "Korean SpaceX." Collaborating with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Hanwha Aerospace is spearheading the project, with Vitzro Nextech and Hanyang ENG contributing to engine development and ground facilities.
The 12.2-meter-tall, 6.4-ton test vehicle will be equipped with an 8-ton-class engine, which utilizes a staged-combustion cycle turbopump system to enable thrust modulation. KARI oversees the overall research, while Hanwha Aerospace is tasked with systems integration. Together, the partners aim to bolster a private-sector-led space industry ecosystem.
The demonstrator, designed to test technologies for real-world launch vehicles, will undergo various stages of development. By year-end, combustion tests of the engine development model and component fabrication are expected to be completed. By 2027, the project aims to finalize combustion tests of the flight model and assembly of the first demonstrator, followed by ground combustion testing and two flight tests in 2028.
The primary objective of these flight tests is to validate the vehicle's vertical takeoff and landing performance, reaching an altitude of 500 meters within 90 seconds and landing stably.
Reusability is a crucial factor in competing in the global space transportation services market, as demonstrated by SpaceX's repeated use of Falcon 9 rocket stages. Industry observers anticipate that reusing even the first stage could significantly reduce launch costs. South Korea, too, has committed to developing a reusable next-generation launch vehicle system.
The knowledge and technology gained from this demonstrator project are anticipated to lay the groundwork for the planned reuse of the first stage of the next-generation launch vehicle in the mid-2030s. Meanwhile, Japan also conducted a vertical takeoff and landing test of its RV-X demonstrator in July. KARI's president, Lee Sang-cheol, emphasized the significance of the reusable technology demonstrator in pre-verifying technologies and accumulating development experience.
Hanwha Aerospace aims to successfully complete the project, strengthening South Korea's space transportation capabilities and accelerating its entry into the global market.
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