Korean Air and Hyundai Rotem announced that they will work together to develop a reusable 35-ton methane rocket engine by October 2030. This project is part of a government-supported program worth 49 billion won (about USD 33 million).
Hyundai Rotem will be in charge of planning the engine, testing its power pack, and making the combustors. Korean Air, the largest airline in Korea, will handle the development of the engine’s turbopump, which is a key part of the propulsion system.
The goal of this project is to enhance national defense and support the growth of South Korea's commercial space sector. A meeting to kick off the project was held in Daejeon, where experts and government officials discussed the development plans, technical procedures, and risk management.
Executive Statement
According to Hyundai Rotem, the country's sole tank manufacturer, they began work on methane engine technologies in 1994 and achieved a successful combustion test in 2006. Through this project, they expect to secure the technological base needed to commercialize methane rocket engines.
According to Kim Kyung-nam, head of Korean Air's Aerospace R&D Center, they are mobilizing their aerospace expertise to develop a high-performance, highly reliable turbopump optimized for methane engines. This project will strengthen Korea's space industry ecosystem and support the development of military satellite launch vehicles and future national defense needs.