Korean Air and Hyundai Rotem have launched a joint initiative to develop a reusable, 35-ton-class methane rocket engine, identified as a core technology for next-generation launch vehicles.
Backed by a KRW 49 billion budget and overseen by the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT), the program is scheduled to run through October 2030.
Building the Ecosystem
More than 70 representatives from government, academia, and industry gathered in Daejeon for the kick-off meeting on December 3. The event focused on reviewing development tasks, technical validation procedures, and risk-management plans essential to the program’s success.
Key participants included:
- Government: Ministry of National Defense, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and KRIT.
- Industry Partners: Doosan Enerbility, Perigee Aerospace, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology.
- Academia: Seoul National University, Kookmin University, and Pusan National University.
The Move to Methane
Methane engines are increasingly recognized as the preferred propulsion choice for reusable launch systems due to their high combustion efficiency and cleaner burn. Unlike traditional kerosene-based engines, methane engines generate significantly less soot, making them well-suited for repeated launches—a technology path already adopted by global aerospace leaders such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.
The Technology Challenge
Korean Air will spearhead the development of the engine’s turbopump, widely considered the heart of the propulsion system.
The turbopump is responsible for compressing liquid methane and oxidizer at extremely high pressures and speeds. Its development requires advanced engineering capabilities to handle cryogenic temperatures of -180°C while the component rotates at tens of thousands of times per minute.
Executive Comments
“We are mobilizing our aerospace expertise to develop a high-performance, highly reliable turbopump optimized for methane engines,” said Kyungnam Kim, Head of Korean Air’s Aerospace R&D Center. “This project will help strengthen Korea’s space industry ecosystem and support the development of military satellite launch vehicles and future national defense needs.”
Jae Hong Son, President of KRIT, said, “Developing a methane engine is a crucial step toward positioning Korea as a leader in space defense. KRIT will fully support the program by building an innovative R&D framework and a robust defense-space ecosystem to ensure successful completion.”
The technologies developed through this program are expected to be instrumental in bolstering Korea’s national defense capabilities and establishing a strategic foundation for the country’s rapidly growing commercial “New Space” sector.