Engineers with the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) look into a next-generation mid-size satellite.

The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is striving to secure advanced technologies coupled with the 4th Industrial Revolution.

In order to prepare for changing trends in the aerospace industry, KAI inaugurated the “New Space Task Force.” The task force, headed by the chief of the Future Business Division, is formed with a companywide strategy group, financial group and other in-house capabilities.

The move is designed to lay a foundation to raise KAI to new heights by diversifying its business portfolio based on its core capabilities and competitiveness.

KAI has spearheaded the development of multi-purpose application satellites, next-generation “mid-size” satellites, and geostationary multi-purpose satellites since its establishment.

KAI dedicated the nation’s biggest civil aerospace center last August capable of producing subminiature satellites.

KAI is responsible for the assembling of Korean launch vehicles and next-generation mid-size satellites. KAI succeeded in the joint development and launch of a next-generation mid-size satellite in cooperation with Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in March.

In the latest development, KAI signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch a fourth next-generation mid-size satellite and put it into orbit in 2025. KAI said it was considering forging a strategic alliance with SpaceX in the aerospace sector for another segment than the launch vehicle.

KAI’s secret weapon is urban air mobility (UAM). In a meeting with reporters in April, KAI President Ahn Hyun-ho said KAI has secured core capabilities related to flying objects’ vertical take-off and landing, self-landing and electric propulsion.

UAM is one of the five future core businesses, including manned, unmanned multi-purpose teaming (MUM-T), satellite and space launch vehicles, and aerospace and defense electronics KAI plans to nurture in the future.

KAI plans to raise its sales from 2,825.1 billion won last year to more than 10 trillion won in 2030. KAI aims to earn over 32 trillion won in the future business sector.

A view of a prototype of KF-21 Boramae, the country's first homegrown fighter jet. (Photos: KAI)

KAI’s 21-Year Challenging History

The construction of KF-21 Boramae, the country's first homegrown fighter jet, gets under way at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do.

Scores of crew members are busy in assembling the aircraft at each production line.

The worksite is a space of having the same way of the history of self-reliance of national defense capabilities.

At a research lab near the production lines, staffers with the Future Business Division have in-depth discussions on the development of technologies.

KAI, established in 1999, has contributed to the nation’s national defense and self-reliance of national defense capabilities.

KAI, which is walking shoulder to shoulder with global players in 21 years after its establishment, is challenging to meet new heights.

KAI is making preparations to secure an upper hand in the aerospace industry by capitalizing on its next-generation satellites and launch vehicle capabilities.

KAI, participating in the business of urban air mobility, dubbed “flying air vehicle,” aims to become Asia’s top-tier integrated aerospace company by raising sales to 10 trillion won by 2030.

The unveiling of KF-21 Boramae at a ceremony at the KAI headquarters on April 9. came 20 years after former president Kim Dae-jung announced the development of a homegrown jet fighter at a Korea Air Force Academy commencement ceremony in March 2001.