- Preliminary feasibility study passed for the "Low-Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Technology R&D Project"
- Korea aims to develop and establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications system (pilot network) linked to the 6G standard
The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter "MSIT") announced that the “R&D Project to Foster Industrial Competitiveness in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Communications" (hereinafter "LEO Satellite communications Technology R&D Project") passed the preliminary feasibility study** with a total project cost of KRW 319.99 billion (government budget of KRW 300.35 billion) and a project period of six years (2025-2030) at the 4th General Committee for the Evaluation of National R&D Projects* held on May 23, 2024.
* Refer to the MSIT’s General Committee for the Evaluation of National R&D Projects press release (May 23, Thursday)
** Submitted the preliminary assessment application in September 2023 → Designated for feasibility evaluation in October 2023 → Passed the feasibility review in May 2024
The LEO Satellite communications Technology R&D Project aims to achieve technological independence in core technologies of LEO satellite communications and to equip domestic companies with capabilities to enter the global market. By early 2030, the project plans to launch two 6G-based LEO communications satellites and establish a pilot network including a ground station and terminal stations.
LEO satellites (altitude 300-1,500 km) are closer to the Earth than geostationary satellites (altitude 36,000 km), allowing high-speed communications with low latency. Currently, global companies with substantial capital and technology are dominating the market with non-standard proprietary LEO satellite communications services.
However, as LEO satellite communications emerge as a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) capable of expanding communication service areas beyond the limitations of terrestrial networks to the sea and air, the global mobile communications standards organization, 3GPP, is also in the process of standardizing LEO satellite communications.
* Non-Terrestrial Networks enable communications without geographical constraints using satellites.
**3GPP: An organization composed of major global companies and institutions developing telecommunications standards (currently working on 6G technology standardization)
With the completion of the 6G standard expected in the late 2020s, the LEO satellite communications market is anticipated to fully transition to a standardized market by the 2030s. Considering the usual time frame of over five years for developing satellite communications systems and launching satellites, now is the optimal time for domestic companies to prepare to enter the 6G-based LEO satellite communications market.
In response, MSIT aims to secure 11 core technologies in the fields of communications payload, ground station, and terminal station through this project. Specifically, technologies to be developed include satellite tracking and communications link formation, signal error compensation due to satellite movement, satellite handover, and inter-satellite links for relay and traffic distribution.
·Communications Payload: Performs communications functions onboard LEO communications satellites
·Ground Station: Forms communications links and controls missions, supports user access to the network
·Terminal Station: Develops and implements terminal modem/SW, RF/antenna for user access to the satellite
·Bus: Protects the communications payload in space, maintains orbit, controls altitude, and supports power
·System Integrator: Designs, analyzes, and assembles the system throughout the entire process from mission definition to operation
The government announced the "Satellite Communications Strategy" at the Emergency Ministerial Meeting on Economic Affairs in September 2023 as a blueprint for satellite communications policies in preparation for next-generation networks, and pledged to continuously strengthen R&D to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic satellite communications industry. The LEO Satellite Communications Technology R&D Project is a key initiative to achieve this goal, marking the first step towards technological independence in domestic LEO satellite communications with the passing of the preliminary feasibility study.
Ryu Je Myung, Deputy Minister of the Office of Network Policy at MSIT, stated, “If we extend our technological prowess and development experience from the mobile communications sector, where we hold a strong position globally, to satellite communications, I believe we can sufficiently secure global competitiveness.”
“This project will enable timely responses to the LEO satellite communications market transitioning to a standardized market, enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic satellite communications industry, and injecting new vitality into Korea’s digital and space economy,” he added.
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.
