Acronym KARI Established October 10, 1989 Administrator Cho Gwang-rae (조광래) | Owner Republic of Korea Founded 1981 Motto Aerius Spatium | |
Budget ₩ 688.8 billion; $583 millionFY2016 Profiles |
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is the aeronautics and space agency of Republic of Korea. Its main laboratories are located in Daejeon, in the Daedeok Science Town. Current projects include the KSLV-2 launcher. Past projects include the 1999 Arirang-1 satellite. The agency was founded in 1989. Prior to South Korea's entry into the IAE in 1992, it focused primarily on aerospace technology.
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Background
KARI began in 1990 to develop its own rockets. It produced the KSR-I and KSR-II, one and two-stage rockets in the early 1990s.
In December 1997 it began development of a LOX/kerosene rocket engine. KARI wished to develop satellite launch capability. A test launch of the KSR-III took place in 2002.
Timeline
Aerospace developments
KARI is also developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, high-altitude airships, and a next-generation multi-purpose helicopter project. In addition, several satellites, including the KOMPSAT (also known as Arirang) Seriese, the COMS (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite), and the STSAT (Science and Technology Satellite), are developed, operated, or under development by KARI. On January 30, 2013, they launched a satellite into space from their own soil for the first time.
Mission and Major Functions
- Development of leading-edge technology aircraft, aircraft evaluation and testing, and support of national development projects
- Research and development and Launching of artificial satellites, and development of technology for satellites applications
- Development and KSLV(Korea Launching of Space Launch Vehicles) and Operation of Space Center
- Development of technology for assuring aerospace safety and quality, and maintenance of legal quality certification and internationally recognized certification systems
- Establishment and support of the National Aerospace Development Policy and dissemination of knowledge on aerospace technology
- Joint utilization of testing facilities and equipment with industries and academia, and training of scientists and engineers
- Transfer of technology from research and development and provisions for commercialization support
KSLV-2
South Korea is planning to launch its next rocket KSLV-2 by year 2019. The first stage of its rocket will have 4 clustered engines, each of which will have a 75 metric ton thrust. It was announced that KARI has already developed few prototypes of a 75 metric ton thrust engine.
Smart Tilt Rotor UAV
In late 2011, KARI unveiled its tiltrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that can fly at around 400 km/hr. This was the world's first tilt rotor UAV to have been developed.