Korean Air is to participate in the Korean Positioning System (KPS) project, a satellite structure system development program led by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
On January 26, Korean Air held a kick-off meeting with KARI on the first KPS satellite structure system project.
Overall plans for KPS satellite structural system development were discussed at the meeting, such as satellite structure design, production, human resources management, facilities, equipment, and product assurance.
Korean Air, with over 20 years of experience in successfully developing geostationary orbits, from Chollian 1 to Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) 3 and 5, has secured expertise and insight into satellite structures and mechanisms subsystems and will support the project with the airline’s world-class composite manufacturing facilities and skilled professionals.
The KPS project aims to deploy 8 satellites in the geostationary orbit by 2035 to build a precise and reliable satellite navigation system, which is able to provide centimeter-level location information to the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas. The system will be interchangeable with commercial GPS in the U.S. to provide high-quality navigational services. It is also able to provide stable satellite navigation information to the Korean Peninsula even when the GPS condition is restricted.
Since 2021, Korean Air has participated in small satellite launch vehicles’ core technology development, such as common bulkhead propellant tanks and high-performance 3-ton engines. The airline actively collaborates with Boeing and Airbus in developing satellite structural technologies such as manufacturing composite sandwich panels and assembling structures.
Korean Air’s aerospace technology and expertise are renowned and recognized in the industry and the airline’s reputation has had a favorable effect in securing the project participation.
The airline plans to develop its first KPS satellite structure system in 2025 and aims for additional production and delivery of up to 8 satellite structure systems by 2035.
Korean Air will also actively participate in developing the lunar landing module and seeks to gain a competitive edge in the private aerospace industry with its technology and expertise in satellite development.
