[K-Tech] Hanwha Aerospace nears Nuri rocket technology transfer deal

Nuri rocket segments in assembly the rocket scheduled to launch in November Courtesy of the Korea Aerospace Administration — Segments of the Nuri rocket under assembly. The domestically developed launch vehicle is scheduled for its next flight in November. Courtesy of the Korea Aerospace Administration

SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace is poised to finalize a long-delayed agreement with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to assume key responsibilities for South Korea’s homegrown space launch vehicle, the Nuri rocket, officials said Wednesday.

The two sides are in the final stages of negotiations and are expected to sign the technology transfer agreement on Friday at KARI’s headquarters in Daejeon. The deal would mark a critical milestone in the country’s effort to commercialize its space program and hand over leadership from state to private hands.

The agreement comes nearly three years after Hanwha was selected as the preferred negotiation partner in October 2022. While KARI has already shared some technical data ahead of Nuri’s upcoming fourth launch, core components and designs remained restricted pending the completion of the contract.

Nuri is South Korea’s first fully domestically developed space launch vehicle. Developed over a decade with a government investment of about 2 trillion won, or roughly $1.45 billion, the three-stage rocket has flown three times since its debut in 2021. A fourth flight is scheduled for November.

Officials hope the agreement will usher in a new phase of the country’s space program, often referred to as “New Space,” in which private firms take a leading role in satellite launches and space transportation.

The government selected Hanwha Aerospace as the program’s system integrator in 2022, mirroring the United States’ transition of space launch responsibilities to companies like SpaceX.

Negotiations had been stalled for years due to disputes over technology transfer fees and the extent of proprietary knowledge to be disclosed. But officials say the deal now appears to be imminent, setting the stage for broader private-sector participation.

Under the Nuri advancement program, the government plans to conduct three additional launches annually from this year through 2027, aiming to strengthen South Korea’s commercial space capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign launch providers.

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com