Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Daejeon, South Korea national aerospace research institute founded 1989; develops the NURI orbital launch vehicle, KOMPSAT satellites, and lunar probes.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is South Korea's national aerospace research organization, headquartered in Daejeon and founded in 1989. KARI conducts government research and development across space launch vehicles, satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems, and in 2024 some of its civil space policy responsibilities transferred to the newly established Korea AeroSpace Administration.
KARI's launch vehicle work progressed from the KSR-I through KSR-III sounding rockets to the Naro-1 vehicle developed with a Russian partner, and then to NURI (KSLV-II), a three-stage Korean launch vehicle capable of placing a 1.5-ton-class satellite into low Earth orbit. The institute's satellite programs include the KOMPSAT (Arirang) Earth observation series, the geostationary Chollian satellites, and the Korea Positioning System, an independent satellite navigation system under development. In 2022, KARI launched Danuri, Korea's first lunar orbiter, which reached lunar orbit that December. Its aviation and UAV work includes high-altitude long-endurance unmanned platforms, stratospheric drones for disaster response, advanced rotorcraft concepts, and urban air mobility vehicles developed through the K-UAM Grand Challenge program.
KARI operates propulsion, satellite systems, aerodynamics, avionics, and flight-test facilities in Daejeon and currently manages a fleet of eight national satellites in orbit.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
NURI Launch Vehicle
South Korea's first independently developed three-stage orbital launch vehicle.
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Contact Korea Aerospace Research Institute
WEBSITE
https://www.kari.re.kr/engHEADQUARTERS
Korea, Republic of (South)
Company Facts
Founded
1989
Primary Role
Research Institute
Company Size
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Primary Region
Asia-Pacific
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
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Funding Total
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Certifications & Memberships
