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With the Chuseok holiday over, the 5th launch of Korea's indigenous launch vehicle, Nuriho, is imminent. The Nuriho launch holds significant meaning as it establishes Korea's 'space sovereignty' through its own capabilities.
Especially for domestic space startups, this launch offers an opportunity to secure 'Space Heritage'—proof that technologies developed on the ground function effectively in actual space. As space startups have the potential to grow into representative companies in the emerging global 'era of space dominance,' attention is focused on the results of this demonstration.
According to the Korea Aerospace Administration on the 26th, the upcoming 5th Nuriho launch scheduled for next month on the 7th will carry a total of 15 satellites: five primary payloads, including the ultra-small constellation satellite 'Neon Shot,' and ten secondary payloads, which are CubeSats. The secondary satellites were developed by ten entities, including universities, local governments, and domestic companies.
These satellites incorporate components manufactured or developed by startups. Specifically, technologies such as reaction wheels, optical communication modules, electric thrusters, space-grade semiconductors, orbital transfer vehicles, and space pharmaceuticals have been applied. A common thread is that many of these projects have moved beyond the research and development phase to secure investment, produce actual products, and now proceed with final validation proving they functioned in real space operations.
Secondary payloads were handled by startups including O&V Space (Sledge), Unmanned Exploration Research Institute(Ulysses), Space LinTech(BEE-1012), Space & Bin(SD-1 Shot), Quaternion(PerShot 02), Step Lab(Daejeon Shot-1), and Cosmoworks (Jack-007). Additionally, research institutions such as KAIST (G-Bit Shot), Chosun University (C-Pi Shot), and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (E3 Tester-2) also carried satellites.
Space LinTech's 'BEE-1012' is a space pharmaceutical experiment satellite. Its core objective is to observe protein crystal growth processes in microgravity environments and analyze them using AI. The ultimate vision is to utilize space as a facility for biopharmaceutical research and production. O&V Space's 'Sledge' uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals to monitor the ionosphere and collect jamming measurement data.
Yoon Hak-soon, CEO of Lee Seu-rin-tek (CEO), stated, "Once this demonstration is completed, we expect commercial agreements with domestic and international institutional investors who have shown interest to advance." He added, "We plan to secure stable Space Heritage through four demonstrations this year, including the Nuriho launch, and six more next year, while expanding our production scale."
Step Lab's Daejeon Shot-1 is an urban change observation satellite launched using its flagship product, the vibration-reduced CubeSat deployment tube (Step POD). Quaternion's 'PerShot 02' monitors ocean current movements of marine debris around Jeju Island, while the Unmanned Exploration Research Institute's 'Ulysses' observes trends and causes of fine dust.
A Step Lab representative said, "Upon completing this demonstration, we plan to actively pursue overseas market expansion. We also expect developing deployment tubes of various sizes to become more feasible."
Some startups are also conducting demonstrations on key satellite components. Inseera Solution will carry a Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) on the E3 Tester-2. This device precisely controls laser beams and is a core component for laser communication between satellites or between satellites and ground stations. The startup recently secured Series A investment totaling 13.5 billion won to expand its Yangsan facility. Securing actual space operation experience through this Nuriho launch is expected to facilitate entry into global supply chains.
CosmoB will demonstrate a Class-A hollow cathode for electric thrusters via the E3 Tester-2. Electric thrusters are critical devices for adjusting orbits or extending the lifespan of small satellites. Building on this demonstration, the company aims to enter both domestic and international constellation satellite markets. Intergavity Technologies will carry a testbed for navigation equipment used in orbital transfer vehicles. Their goal is to launch their own orbital transfer vehicle in the future and begin commercial services.
Momentum Space will install 'reaction wheels'—components that control satellite attitude—on both C-Pi Shot and E3 Tester-2. Reaction wheels are essential for precisely controlling a satellite's orientation. These have already been mounted on previous missions, including the Naro Science Satellite and Toyo Shot launched via the 3rd Nuriho in 2023, and are currently in use. If successful in this demonstration, Momentum Space plans to raise its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to level 8 and accelerate commercialization.
Dong-ik Jeon, CEO of Momentum Space, stated, "Through this demonstration, we will achieve TRL 8 and proceed with domestic production of reaction wheels. Going forward, we aim to grow into a company providing total solutions for satellite attitude control systems (ADCS), extending beyond just reaction wheels."
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