Private Space Launch Vehicle Unastella Successfully Launched in Korea for the First Time... Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam, "Actively Supporting the Dream of Space"

【Financial News Goheung·Muan=Reporter Hwang Tae-jong】Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam, congratulated Unastella, a private manned space launch vehicle development company, for successfully launching its own developed vehicle in Korea for the first time on the 29th in Goheung, and stated that he would actively support more companies to pursue their dreams in space.
 According to Jeonnam Province and Goheung County, the first privately launched vehicle in Korea, 'Una Express 1 (UNA EXPRESS-I)', was launched near Bongrae-myeon, Goheung, on the 28th at 11:50 PM, completing a 10 km flight and safely landing in the designated safety zone at sea near Goheung. 'Una Express 1' is a small launch vehicle equipped with a 9.45m length, a total weight of 2t, and a thrust of 5t-class engine.
 The successful launch by Unastella is an important example showing the potential of private space companies, indicating that private companies are one step closer to commercial launch services.
 Unastella, founded in 2022, is a private space launch vehicle company that signed an agreement to move into the National Space Launch Vehicle Industrial Complex with Jeonnam Province and Goheung County in March last year, and plans to operate manufacturing facilities for the production and R&D of small launch vehicles once the national industrial complex is completed.
 Meanwhile, the government has finally designated Jeonnam as a 'Space Industry Cluster (Launch Vehicle Specialized Zone)' to actively foster the private-led space industry. Accordingly, Jeonnam Province is building the world's highest-level private space industry infrastructure centered around the Naro Space Center, Korea's only space terminal, including the Space National Industrial Complex, private launch sites, and engine combustion test facilities.
 In particular, by integrating the second space center here, innovative aerospace companies like Unastella will be supported in various ways to develop next-generation launch vehicle technologies such as reusable launch vehicles and lead the New Space era.
 Governor Kim Young-rok said, "We will actively attract related companies to the Space National Industrial Complex in connection with the second space center, and do our best to improve access to the complex and the residential environment for companies by creating the Gwangju-Goheung Space Expressway, expanding the Goheung-Bongrae four-lane road, and developing a residential complex." He added, "The successful flight of this launch vehicle is an important milestone for Jeonnam to emerge as the hub of Korea's space industry," emphasizing that "we will actively support more companies to pursue their dreams in space from Jeonnam."
 Gong Young-min, Mayor of Goheung County, said, "It is very meaningful that the first step towards space by the private sector was taken in Goheung County," and "I sincerely congratulate Unastella's challenge and success along with 60,000 county residents." He also added, "We will spare no effort in providing optimal infrastructure and administrative support so that private space companies can pursue stable R&D and commercial entry."

hwangtae@fnnews.com Reporter Hwang Tae-jong