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 elevate South Korea to one of the top five global leaders in the aerospace sector.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) has set its R and D budget for 2025, marking a significant 43.3 percent increase from the previous year. The detailed budget allocation includes 187.4 billion won directed towards R and D projects by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
In addition, 147.8 billion won will be allocated for advancing space rocket technologies. A further 150.8 billion won is earmarked for the development of a next-generation space rocket, while 500 million won will support the development of reusable rocket technologies.
KASA is also committing 24.9 billion won to the development of a microsatellite swarm and 35 billion won for a geostationary orbit communications satellite. In collaboration with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), KASA plans to invest 7.3 billion won in launching a Lunar Space Environment Monitor. Furthermore, 45 billion won will be dedicated to the agency's independent lunar spacecraft development project.