Government to Develop a Commercial Satellite

The government announced on April 22 that it plans to ensure the ability to independently design a commercial satellite by 2003.
The government will also develop a low- orbiting satellite and the means to carry it to orbit with only Korean technology. By doing so, it plans a tremendous leap forward in the Korean aviation industry, to be within the top-10 in the world by 2005.
It decided on the blueprint for the overall development of the Korean aerospace and aviation industry in the second meeting of the aerospace and aviation development committee held under the supervision of Prime Minster Kim Jong Pil.
According to the blueprint, the government decided to develop a small and medium-sized aircraft and a fighter by 2015, the ability to design and produce an aircraft by developing advanced test airplanes capable of flying at supersonic speeds, and a multi-purpose helicopter.
In addition, the government will bolster the cost of developing aerospace and aviation technology by supporting programs out of its budget. The government also guaranteed monopoly rights for the unified corporation of the aviation industry to be established in June.
Jangsoo Seo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr