Samsung Enters Space Infrastructure Race with Plans to Build Rocket Launch Site

It looks like Samsung’s newly formed Business Task Force (TF) has seen business opportunities in the space infrastructure industry. The Korean firm is reportedly gearing up to enter the space industry, with a primary focus on building infrastructure such as rocket launch sites. This move could not only benefit the company but also significantly contribute to South Korea’s GDP.

Samsung eyes space infrastructure industry as key growth opportunity

According to a report from The Korean Economic Daily, Samsung C&T Corporation has recently started early research on a “space plant” project, which includes plans to build a rocket launch site. For this project, the company is discussing collaborations with Seoul National University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. It plans to establish an R&D center dedicated to developing rocket launch infrastructure.

The report further says that Samsung recently hired space experts for the first time in its history. This suggests a serious long-term commitment for the space industry. Earlier this month, Samsung teamed up with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute to jointly develop secondary payloads for a CubeSat (K-Rad Cube), which will be aboard NASA’s Artemis II test flight.

Industry experts believe that space infrastructure, including rocket launch pads and spacecraft parts, could help South Korea catch up with global space leaders. It is expected that the US space launch services market could grow from about $5.1 billion in 2025 to around $18.7 billion by 2034, with an annual growth rate of 13.7%.

“South Korea is one of the few countries capable of transferring its manufacturing strengths from semiconductors and nuclear power to offshore plants into the space industry,” said Park Hyeong-jun, a professor of aerospace engineering at Seoul National University, as original reports quotes.

It is worth mentioning that South Korea is not the only country planning to gain a foothold in the rocket launch pad market; Taiwan and the UK are also building launch sites. However, space industry experts believe that South Korea could have an advantage in building rocket launch sites as the country has experience in building ultra-high-rise structures. Only time will tell how Samsung executes its plan by working closely with the government.