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Happy Friday, Space Enthusiasts! 🚀
South Korea is the latest country to establish a national space agency with the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA). The space industry has experienced significant changes, particularly with the increase in commercial activity. As a result, the role of national space agencies has shifted. Read on to learn more about KASA, South Korea's ambitious space agenda, and insights into some of the world's emerging and established national space agencies.
In this edition of the Space Impulse Newsletter, you'll find:
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Space News Highlight ✨
South Korea Aims For Mars Landing By 2045 With $72.6B Investment In Space Exploration, Announces President Yoon At Space Agency Launch
Unveiling the nation’s inaugural space agency, the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), President Yoon Suk Yeol declared South Korea’s ambition to achieve a Mars landing by 2045. This bold effort is set to receive a huge investment of 100 trillion won, equivalent to $72.6 billion, channelled into space exploration.
South Korea, which launched its Nuri rocket in May last year, became the seventh country with indigenous space launch vehicles and satellite technology. The country has plans for at least three more space launches by 2027 and intends to launch military satellites.
🌏 Global Space Endeavors: Emerging And Established National Space Agencies
The global landscape of space exploration and technology is rapidly evolving. New national space agencies continue to emerge alongside established giants as countries work to make the leaderboard of key players in cosmic exploration and innovation. The role of national space agencies has changed over the years, particularly with increased commercial space activity.
Recently Emerged National Space Agencies
Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA)
Saudi Space Agency (SSA)
Spanish Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Española, AEE)
Established Space Agencies
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
European Space Agency (ESA)
China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
The interplay between new and established space agencies fosters a dynamic environment of innovation, collaboration, and competition. As countries invest in their space capabilities, the future of space exploration promises to be more inclusive and technologically advanced, offering unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery and commercial ventures.
Looking for more insights on national space agencies and other commercial, government, and academic entities? The Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform has captured data on the key companies, investors, universities and government organizations in the space tech industry.
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Space Industry Quote of the Week 🗣
Today, our nation and our world is more active in space than ever before, with satellites in orbit that provide services and security to people here on Earth; with a thriving commercial enterprise; with the International Space Station, among the brightest objects in our sky; and with the Artemis Program, which is helping our nation achieve new heights. And while our exploration of space takes us up to the moon, to Mars, to the edge of our Solar System, like the Apollo 8 crew, I believe we have a responsibility to also look to our home planet. In this new era, we must see all the ways in which space can benefit Earth. We must see all the ways in which space can benefit the people of our nation and of all of humanity. [...] Because while exploration of space defined the 20th century, the opportunity of space must guide our work in the 21st.
- Vice President Kamala Harris, remarks made at the inaugural National Space Council Meeting.
Weekly Space News Roundup 🌌
SpaceX ’s fourth test flight of its Starship rocket was the first to be successfully completed. Launched at 8:50 a.m. ET from the Starbase facility near Boca Chica, Texas, the rocket’s booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico shortly after launch. An hour after launch, Starship survived reentry through Earth’s atmosphere and splashed down in the Indian Ocean, confirming the mission’s completion.
ExoAnalytic Solutions announced its plan to acquire UK-based startup 3S Northumbria Ltd . Integrating 3S Northumbria will enable ExoAnalytic Solutions to offer an expanded range of commercial SSA services tailored to the UK’s space initiatives. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
bluShift Aerospace has raised $1.3 million in a seed round led by Houston-based Late Stage Capital , with additional support from Maine Technology Institute . The funding is further boosted by a $1 million matching Federal SBIR grant. Brady Brim-DeForest , managing partner at Late Stage Capital and CEO of Formula.Monks , will serve as chairman of bluShift’s board of directors.
ATEL Ventures, Inc. has announced a $20 million investment in Isar Aerospace . This funding will support Isar Aerospace’s development of Spectrum, a two-stage rocket designed for launching small to medium satellites into orbit. This investment comes at a crucial time as Isar Aerospace begins constructing a new large-scale manufacturing facility.
True Anomaly has been awarded a $1.6 million Direct-to-Phase II contract by SpaceWERX . This contract focuses on Tactically Responsive Space and aims to address critical challenges faced by the Department of the Air Force. Under the contract, True Anomaly will enhance the capabilities of its Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle to meet TacRS mission demands.
Washington-based lobbying firm J.A. Green & Company and investment firm Anzu Partners have joined forces to raise $100 million for a venture capital fund. The Anzu-Green Critical Technologies Fund will support technology startups focusing on national security sectors. The Anzu-Green fund will focus on early-stage startups, particularly those with existing revenue.
China’s Shenlong space plane, observed deploying unidentified objects, is raising alarms, as these actions deviate from international norms of satellite deployment transparency. General Chance Saltzman of the United States Space Force warned of China’s new sensor-shooter kill web, which poses a significant risk to US forces and allies in the Pacific. US Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder reported that Russia had launched a satellite into low-Earth orbit, likely a counter-space weapon capable of attacking other satellites.
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