KAL kicks off rocket engine development for civilian use

[Source: Korean Air]

A consortium led by South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air (KAL) has started the development of a high-performance engine of a small space rocket for civilian use under a 20 billion won ($161 million) state project funded by the science ministry.

Korean Air said on Friday it will develop a 3-ton engine for the upper part of a two-stage rocket by 2027 in cooperation with its consortium partners. The lower part will be equipped with a 75-ton engine used in Nuri, a three-stage indigenously developed launch vehicle.

Korean Air is responsible for engine system design, assembly and system management, and test certification.

Consortium partners include Vitzro Nextech, Hanyang ENG, Genohco, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Seoul National University, and Chungbuk National University.

[Source: Korean Air]

The consortium plans to apply 3D printing and other new technologies to develop an engine with better economics and performance, while focusing on acquiring technical know-how about liquid-propellant rocket engines.

Korean Air has a track record in the development of space rocket components. In 2012, the company participated in the development and assembly of Korea’s first space launch vehicle Naro (KSLV-I) and the development of 75-ton and 7-ton engines. It is also participating in Space Pioneer, a 211.5 billion won state project to localize key parts of a space rocket by 2030.

[ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]