S. Korea to establish low-Earth orbit communications network by 2035

Lead

South Korea aims to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network composed of hundreds of satellites by 2035 and to accelerate its first lunar landing to 2030, the state-run space agency said on Friday. The plan was approved by the National Space Council, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung, and unveiled during a public briefing on advanced industry development held in the southeastern city of Jinju.

Coverage Comparison

Both reports from Yonhap News — English, the only outlet whose coverage was reviewed, present the same core details: the satellite network's target date and composition, the approval by the National Space Council, and the lunar landing acceleration. One Yonhap article adds specifics on the number of satellites (128 to 512) and the projected costs, while the other focuses more on the lunar exploration timeline. The two articles are consistent in their framing, emphasizing national security and communications sovereignty as drivers of the initiative.

Key Claims

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said building the network will help strengthen South Korea's domestic satellite and launch vehicle development and manufacturing ecosystem, as the country pushes to build its own version of SpaceX's Starlink network.

"Leading space nations are making all-out efforts to build low-Earth orbit satellite communications networks, which are critical infrastructure for safeguarding national security and communications sovereignty, as well as a strategic foundation for the 6G era," KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok said.

The agency plans to launch between 128 and 512 satellites, at a cost of at least 4 trillion won (US$2.62 billion) and up to 13.2 trillion won every five years, according to the Yonhap report that included these figures. The government also plans to set up a special purpose company (SPC) along with private firms for the sale of information amassed through satellites. The SPC, to be more than 70 percent owned by private firms, is expected to generate over $1.7 billion in sales by 2034, the agency said.

On lunar exploration, KASA aims to bring forward South Korea's first lunar landing to 2030, two years ahead of schedule. Instead of waiting for the next-generation launch vehicle, scheduled to debut in 2032, the government plans to send a privately developed small lunar lander aboard the three-stage Nuri rocket in 2030. In addition, South Korea plans to launch a lunar communications orbiter in 2029 and an Earth-moon scientific exploration probe in 2031 to lay the groundwork for an expanded lunar exploration program.

The satellite communications plan and the accelerated lunar landing timeline were both announced together, with the state agency framing them as part of a broader strategy to advance South Korea's space capabilities.