[Digital Today reporter Daegeon Seok] Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon reaffirmed his commitment to the space industry at the Jeju Space Center. Hanwha Group said Kim visited Hanwha Systems' Jeju Space Center in Hawon-dong, Seogwipo, Jeju, for the first time on Jan. 8. Accompanied by executives including Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, he toured the exhibition hall and clean room and received briefings on this year's business plan and the status of its space business.

On site, Kim put on protective clothing and inspected key facilities such as the space environment test site and electromagnetic compatibility test site. The space environment test site recreates a vacuum and extreme temperatures ranging from minus 180 degrees Celsius to plus 150 degrees Celsius. The electromagnetic compatibility test site verifies whether satellites operate normally in a high-power electromagnetic-wave environment. He also checked a full-scale model of an ultra-low Earth orbit synthetic aperture radar satellite with 15 cm-class resolution.

At a luncheon with employees, Kim said, "The dream of launching our own satellite with our own strength became reality with the success of the Nuri rocket's fourth launch," adding, "After the lunar orbiter, we have come to build the propulsion system for a lunar lander as well, and Hanwha has become the undisputed leading player in South Korea's private space industry."

He added, "Even if it is difficult, going down a path we must take is Hanwha's mission," and stressed, "Breaking through obstacles so that the satellites we make observe the Earth's climate change, protect security and contribute to a better life for humanity is the true meaning and value of business that Hanwha pursues."

Hanwha's space industry vision began in the 1980s during its explosives manufacturing days and was made concrete with the launch of Space Hub in 2021. Vice Chairman Kim pledged to build an engineer-led organisation and provide expertise and full support. As a result, it achieved results including the success of the private-led Nuri rocket launch and expanded its business scope through development of a lunar orbiter and a lunar lander.

Kim Seung-yeon, Hanwha chairman, presents vision for building a space cluster linking Jeju, Goheung, Suncheon and Changwon

The Jeju Space Center was completed in December last year on a 30,000 square metre site with a total floor area of 11,400 square metres. Using the advantage of its southernmost location, it can secure optimal satellite launch angles and stable drop zones. It is a strategic location that minimises the physical distance between satellite production and launch. As the country's largest private satellite production facility, it can produce 8 satellites a month and up to 100 satellites a year.

From this year, it will begin mass production of synthetic aperture radar satellites in earnest. Hanwha Systems succeeded in launching a 1 metre-class resolution satellite in 2023 and is developing 50 cm and 25 cm-class satellites. It is also developing an ultra-high-resolution satellite capable of photographing 15 cm-class objects from an ultra-low orbit of 400 km or less above Earth.

Hanwha Systems plans to build the full value chain around the Jeju Space Center, from satellite development and production to launch and control and AI satellite image analysis services. It is a strategy to lead the private-led new space era by combining Hanwha Aerospace's launch vehicle technology with Hanwha Systems' satellite technology.

Kim said, "The Jeju Space Center is not just a workplace but the present and future of Hanwha's grand dream toward space," adding, "Space opens a path only to those who do not stop challenging." He also urged employees to "move forward strongly so that the space center, together with local communities in space cluster regions including Jeju, Goheung, Suncheon and Changwon, is reborn as an advance base for South Korea's space industry," adding, "Every single drop of sweat you shed will become the foundation that lifts South Korea into the world's top 5 space powers."