Space & Satellites
South Korea Allocates 2.3 Trillion Won for Methane Reusable Rocket
South Korea’s KASA secures 2.3 trillion won to develop KSLV-III, a reusable methane rocket aiming for a 2032 lunar mission and lower launch costs.
South Korea has officially pivoted its national space strategy toward reusable launch vehicles, aiming to compete in the rapidly evolving global commercial space market. According to reporting by The Chosun Ilbo, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) has secured a budget of approximately 2.3 trillion won (roughly $1.65 billion) to develop a next-generation launch vehicle capable of reaching the Moon by 2032.
The project, known as the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (KSLV-III), marks a significant technological departure from the country’s existing Nuri rocket. While the Nuri relies on traditional kerosene engines and disposable stages, the new initiative prioritizes liquid methane technology and stage recovery, an approach popularized by industry leaders like SpaceX. The revised roadmap targets a drastic reduction in launch costs and aims to secure South Korea’s independent access to deep space.
The core of the KSLV-III project is the transition from kerosene (Jet A-1) to a “methalox” system, a combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen. Industry reports indicate that methane burns significantly cleaner than kerosene, producing less soot and residue (coking) in the engine. This characteristic is critical for reusable rockets, as it minimizes the refurbishment required between flights.
According to details released regarding the project, the new vehicle will feature an 80-ton-class methane engine. The design calls for a reusable first stage, similar to the operational concept of the Falcon 9, which will return to Earth for recovery. This reusability is central to KASA’s economic goals for the program.
“The project aims to develop a rocket capable of launching a lunar lander by 2032, utilizing technology similar to SpaceX…”
, Summary of KASA project goals
Current estimates place the launch cost of the existing Nuri rocket at approximately 35 million won ($25,000) per kilogram. By transitioning to a reusable architecture, South Korea aims to reduce this figure tenfold. The program targets a launch cost of 3.5 million won ($2,500) per kilogram within a decade, with long-term ambitions to reach $1,000 per kilogram by the mid-2030s.
The development schedule is aggressive, with KASA and its industry partners aiming to bridge the technological gap with established space powers in under ten years. The timeline outlined in recent reports includes several critical milestones:
The KSLV-III is designed to lift approximately 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), roughly triple the capacity of the current Nuri vehicle. This increased payload capacity is essential for deploying constellations of commercial satellites and supporting future lunar exploration missions.
Unlike previous state-led initiatives, the KSLV-III project emphasizes a public-private partnership model to foster a domestic space ecosystem. Manufacturers Hanwha Aerospace has been selected as the System Integrator, effectively acting as the prime contractor responsible for manufacturing and operations. This role mirrors the commercial prime contractor model seen in the United States and Europe. Additionally, a consortium involving Korean Air and Hyundai Rotem will focus on developing core components. Korean Air is tasked with turbopump development, while Hyundai Rotem will handle combustion chamber and power pack testing. This collaborative approach is intended to distribute technical risk and accelerate the acquisition of critical technologies.
The decision to switch to methane is a pragmatic recognition of the “New Space” reality. Had South Korea continued with the originally planned kerosene-based evolution of the Nuri, the resulting vehicle would likely have been commercially obsolete by the time it reached the pad in 2032. In a market dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and the upcoming Starship, as well as Chinese commercial entities developing methalox rockets like the Zhuque-2, expendable kerosene rockets are rapidly becoming niche vehicles.
However, the timeline remains a significant risk factor. Developing a high-performance staged-combustion methane engine from scratch is a formidable engineering challenge. While the budget increase to 2.3 trillion won provides necessary resources, the “bumpy start” involving design changes and intellectual property discussions suggests that maintaining the 2032 lunar deadline will require flawless execution from the Hanwha-led consortium.
Why is South Korea switching from kerosene to methane? What is the payload capacity of the new rocket? When will the rocket launch?
South Korea Commits 2.3 Trillion Won to Reusable Methane Rocket Program
Shift to Methane and Reusability
Cost Reduction Targets
Development Timeline and Strategic Goals
Industry Partnership Model
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Methane offers higher efficiency (specific impulse) and burns cleaner than kerosene. This reduces engine residue, making it the preferred fuel for reusable rockets that need to fly multiple times with minimal maintenance.
The KSLV-III is designed to carry approximately 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and about 1.8 tons to a Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO), sufficient for a robotic lunar lander.
The first test launch is scheduled for late 2031, with a lunar landing mission targeted for 2032.
Sources
Photo Credit: Ministry of Science and ICT
Space & Satellites
Lockheed Martin’s Orion Test Lab Ensures Artemis Mission Readiness
Lockheed Martin’s Orion Integrated Test Lab uses hardware-in-the-loop testing to prepare astronauts and validate systems for the Artemis lunar missions.
This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin.
As the aerospace industry prepares for the next generation of lunar exploration, the margin for error remains non-existent. At the heart of these preparations lies the Orion Integrated Test Lab (ITL), a critical facility located at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton campus near Denver, Colorado. According to an official release from Lockheed Martin dated December 18, 2025, this lab serves as the primary proving ground for the Orion spacecraft, utilizing advanced simulations to bridge the gap between digital code and physical reality.
The ITL operates on a core philosophy: “test like you fly.” By integrating real flight avionics, software, and controls with sophisticated digital environments, engineers can expose the spacecraft’s systems to the exact conditions of a deep space mission without leaving Earth. This capability is currently playing a pivotal role in finalizing readiness for the crewed Artemis II mission and the subsequent lunar landing profile of Artemis III.
In this report, AirPro News examines the technical capabilities of the ITL, its role in astronaut training, and why hardware-in-the-loop testing remains indispensable for human spaceflight safety.
The ITL is described by Lockheed Martin as a “one-to-one scale test bed” of the Orion spacecraft. Unlike standard flight simulators that may rely entirely on software, the ITL connects real flight computers, wiring harnesses, and sensors to the simulation loop. This ensures that electrical signals, timing, and data transfers occur exactly as they would on the actual vehicle during launch, orbit, or re-entry.
According to the company, this facility is the only one capable of integrating hardware and software across all Orion program elements, including the Command Module, Service Module, and Launch Abort System, into a single closed loop. This integration allows engineers to verify that the software code interacts correctly with the physical chips and processors it will fly on, revealing potential bugs that standard computer simulations might miss.
“The Integrated Test Lab is where the software meets the hardware before it goes on the flight vehicle. We test everything here first so that when it’s time to fly, there are no surprises.”
, Anna Jonsen, ITL Operation Team, Lockheed Martin
The ITL utilizes a high-fidelity, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) environment. This setup allows the lab to link directly to NASA’s Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, enabling flight controllers to command the “virtual” spacecraft in Denver in real-time. These rehearsals cover critical mission phases such as Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) and splashdown, ensuring that communication protocols between the ground and the vehicle are flawless. One of the lab’s most critical functions is fault injection. Engineers can intentionally trigger thousands of failure scenarios, ranging from battery failures and stuck switches to computer crashes. This stress-testing verifies that Orion’s backup systems and redundancy measures activate correctly to keep astronauts safe. Additionally, the lab employs “faster-than-real-time” simulations for automated testing, allowing teams to run thousands of Monte Carlo scenarios to predict performance across millions of potential variables.
As of late 2025, the ITL has been conducting “end-to-end” mission simulations for Artemis II, the first crewed lunar flyby. These simulations include long-duration runs where systems remain active for days to ensure stability. The Artemis II crew, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, have utilized the ITL to familiarize themselves with the cockpit interface.
The lab features high-definition display screens in place of windows, rendering accurate star fields, the Moon, and Earth based on the spacecraft’s simulated position. This visual realism provides astronauts with accurate cues during complex maneuvers.
“We get to operate the real flight software and hardware, and we learn how the team reacts when the pressure’s on. It’s real experience, just without the launch.”
, Reid Wiseman, NASA Astronaut & Artemis II Commander
While preparations for Artemis II are in their final stages, engineers are already reconfiguring parts of the lab for Artemis III. This involves testing new rendezvous and docking software required to link Orion with the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) in lunar orbit.
The Indispensability of Physical Testing
In an era where “digital twins” and purely virtual models are becoming industry standards, the Orion ITL highlights a crucial reality of aerospace engineering: software cannot fully predict hardware behavior. The ability to test specific electrical signals as they travel through physical wires allows Lockheed Martin to identify anomalies that a digital twin might overlook. As NASA approaches the launch of Artemis II, the ITL acts as the final gatekeeper. Any glitch found here is a problem solved on the ground rather than a crisis in deep space. This facility underscores that while digital tools accelerate development, physical hardware-in-the-loop testing remains the gold standard for crew safety.
Where is the Orion Integrated Test Lab located? What is the difference between the ITL and a standard simulator? How does the ITL support the Artemis missions?
Inside the Orion Integrated Test Lab: How Lockheed Martin Ensures Astronaut Safety
The “Test Like You Fly” Philosophy
Bridging the Gap Between Code and Hardware
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) Capabilities
Fault Injection and Safety Protocols
Artemis Readiness and Astronaut Training
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The ITL is located at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton campus near Denver, Colorado.
Standard simulators often use only software to mimic flight. The ITL uses Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) technology, connecting real flight computers and avionics to the simulation to ensure the physical hardware reacts exactly as it would during a mission.
The lab runs end-to-end mission simulations, tests fault scenarios, and allows astronauts to train with the actual flight software and cockpit interfaces they will use in space.
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Space & Satellites
Starfighters Space Closes $40M Reg A+ IPO, Starts Trading on NYSE
Starfighters Space closed a $40 million Reg A+ IPO and begins trading on NYSE American as it expands its supersonic aircraft fleet and StarLaunch system.
This article is based on an official press release from Starfighters Space.
Starfighters Space, Inc., a commercial space company known for operating a fleet of supersonic F-104 Starfighter Military-Aircraft, has officially closed its Regulation A+ Initial Public Offering (IPO). According to the company’s announcement, the offering generated approximately $40 million in gross proceeds. Following the close, the company’s common stock is scheduled to commence trading on the NYSE American exchange today, December 18, 2025, under the ticker symbol FJET.
The capital raise marks a significant transition for the Florida-based company, which operates out of the Kennedy Space Center. Starfighters Space intends to utilize the funds to scale its operations, specifically focusing on the development of its “StarLaunch” air-launch system and the expansion of its aircraft fleet. The company aims to leverage these assets to serve both defense and commercial markets through hypersonic testing and satellite launch services.
The Regulation A+ offering, often referred to as a “Mini-IPO,” allowed Starfighters Space to raise capital from both accredited and retail investors. According to the offering details released by the company, approximately 11.1 million shares were sold at an offering price of $3.59 per share. The offering was hosted on the investment platform Equifund.com, with Digital Offering, LLC acting as the lead selling agent.
In a statement regarding the milestone, Starfighters Space leadership emphasized the strategic importance of the public listing.
“The completion of Starfighter’s successful IPO and related fund raise positions us to unlock significant opportunities ahead as we enter the next stage of our growth… We expect to use the funds… to further drive our research and development efforts, including the development of our STARLAUNCH programs.”
— Rick Svetkoff, Founder and CEO of Starfighters Space
Starfighters Space currently operates the world’s only commercial fleet of flight-ready Lockheed F-104 Starfighters. These Cold War-era interceptors are capable of sustaining speeds above Mach 2, making them valuable assets for testing scramjets, sensors, and thermal protection systems for defense contractors and partners like GE Aerospace.
However, the newly raised capital is earmarked for significant fleet expansion. According to the company’s roadmap, Starfighters Space is in the process of acquiring 12 McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft. These heavier fighters are intended to support the “StarLaunch II” program, providing the payload capacity necessary to carry larger rockets and more complex hypersonic test vehicles than the F-104 can accommodate. The company’s business model relies on two primary pillars: hypersonic research and commercial air-launch. The “StarLaunch” system utilizes the aircraft as a reusable first-stage booster. By carrying a rocket to an altitude of approximately 45,000 feet before release, the company aims to launch small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with higher frequency and location flexibility than traditional vertical launch pads.
The successful closing of a $40 million Regulation A+ IPO is a notable achievement in a capital-intensive sector that has seen high-profile struggles recently. The air-launch market has faced skepticism following the collapse of Virgin Orbit in 2023. However, Starfighters Space differentiates itself through its choice of platform. Unlike Virgin Orbit, which utilized a modified Boeing 747, Starfighters employs tactical supersonic jets.
This approach offers distinct advantages for the hypersonic testing market, a sector currently experiencing high demand from the U.S. Department of Defense due to a shortage of high-speed test platforms. While the commercial satellite launch market remains crowded with competitors like SpaceX, the ability of Starfighters to offer supersonic testbeds for scramjet development provides a diversified revenue stream that pure-play launch providers lack. The acquisition of F-4 Phantoms will be a critical execution test for the company as it moves from a niche operator to a publicly traded aerospace firm.
Sources: Starfighters Space Press Release
Starfighters Space Closes $40 Million Reg A+ IPO, Begins Trading on NYSE American
Offering Details and Market Debut
Strategic Expansion: From F-104s to F-4 Phantoms
The StarLaunch Concept
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: Starfighters Space
Space & Satellites
Lockheed Martin Awarded $1.1B Contract for SDA Tranche 3 Satellites
Lockheed Martin secured a $1.1B contract to build 18 Tranche 3 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s missile tracking and defense network.
This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been awarded a major contract with a potential value of approximately $1.1 billion by the Space-Agencies (SDA). Announced on December 19, 2025, the agreement tasks the aerospace giant with producing 18 space vehicles for the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer (TRKT3) constellation. These satellites are a critical component of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a network designed to detect, track, and target advanced missile threats, including hypersonic systems.
This award represents a significant portion of a broader $3.5 billion investment by the SDA, which simultaneously issued Contracts to Rocket Lab, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris. Together, these companies will construct a combined total of 72 satellites. According to the announcement, Lockheed Martin’s specific allotment of satellites is scheduled for launch in Fiscal Year 2029.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lockheed Martin will deliver 18 missile warning, tracking, and defense space vehicles. Unlike traditional legacy programs that often take a decade to field, the SDA operates on a rapid “spiral development” model, fielding new generations, or “tranches”, every two years. Tranche 3 is particularly significant as it represents the “Sustained Capability” generation, designed to replenish and replace earlier satellites while introducing advanced fire-control capabilities.
The satellites will be manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s SmallSat Processing & Delivery Center in Colorado. The company confirmed that Terran Orbital will continue to serve as a key supplier, providing the satellite buses. This continuation of the supply chain partnership aims to maintain production stability across the various tranches.
A defining feature of the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer is the inclusion of “fire-control quality” tracking. While previous iterations focused primarily on warning and tracking, half of the payloads in this new constellation are designated for missile defense. This means the satellites can generate data precise enough to guide an interceptor to destroy a threat, rather than simply monitoring its trajectory.
“The Tracking Layer of Tranche 3… will significantly increase the coverage and accuracy needed to close kill chains against advanced adversary threats. The constellation will include a mix of missile warning and missile tracking, with half the constellation’s payloads supporting advanced missile defense missions.”
Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, Acting Director, Space Development Agency
With this latest award, Lockheed Martin’s total backlog with the SDA has grown to 124 space vehicles across multiple tranches. This reinforces the company’s position as a dominant player in the rapid-acquisition space sector. The SDA’s strategy involves splitting awards among multiple vendors to foster competition and reduce industrial base risk. The $3.5 billion total funding for Tranche 3 was distributed as follows:
Lockheed Martin and Rocket Lab received higher contract values, which industry analysts attribute to the complexity of the defense-specific payloads included in their respective lots.
“Lockheed Martin’s ongoing investments and evolving practices demonstrate our commitment to supporting the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. These innovative approaches position Lockheed Martin to meet the warfighter’s urgent need for a proliferated missile defense constellation.”
Joe Rickers, Vice President of Transport, Tracking and Warning, Lockheed Martin
The awarding of the Tranche 3 contracts highlights a pivotal shift in U.S. defense strategy toward “proliferated” architectures. By deploying hundreds of smaller, cheaper satellites rather than a handful of large, expensive targets (“Big Juicy Targets”), the U.S. Space Force aims to increase resilience against anti-satellite weapons. If an adversary destroys one node in a mesh network of hundreds, the system remains operational.
Furthermore, the explicit mention of “fire-control quality tracks” signals that the PWSA is moving from a passive observation role to an active engagement support role. This is a direct response to the development of hypersonic glide vehicles by peer adversaries, which fly too low for traditional ground-based Radar-Systems to track effectively. The reliance on Terran Orbital for satellite buses also underscores the critical nature of supply chain continuity; as production rates increase to meet the two-year launch cycles, prime contractors are prioritizing established supplier relationships to minimize delay risks.
Lockheed Martin Secures $1.1 Billion Contract for SDA Tranche 3 Tracking Layer
Contract Specifications and Deliverables
Advanced Fire-Control Capabilities
Strategic Context and Industry Landscape
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
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