Hanwha Systems has completed the largest satellite manufacturing infrastructure led by a domestic private company.

On the 2nd, Hanwha Systems held a completion ceremony for the 'Jeju Space Center' in Hawon-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, and announced a new leap forward for the Korean space industry.

This center is expected to become a key base for expanding the private sector-led space ecosystem and elevating the competitiveness of domestic satellite manufacturing in the era of "New Space."

The Jeju Space Center, built by Hanwha Systems (CEO Son Jae-il), has a total floor area of 11,400㎡ (3,450 pyeong) on a site of approximately 30,000㎡ (9,075 pyeong).

The center, which consists of a basement level and two above-ground levels, is a state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing hub that houses a satellite development and assembly facility, a satellite performance testing facility, a satellite integration testing facility clean room, a space environment testing facility control room, and a control room and office space.

Starting next year, up to 100 satellites will be produced here annually.

To this end, we have meticulously constructed essential facilities for satellite performance verification, including thermal vacuum testing and near-field range testing, and plan to gradually increase productivity by expanding automated assembly and manufacturing facilities in the future.

Jeju Space Center is centered around SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellites.SAR satellites are used in a variety of fields, including climate and environmental change forecasting, disaster monitoring, resource exploration, and security. Their ability to precisely photograph the ground, day or night, and even in adverse weather, creates high added value.

Hanwha Systems has already successfully launched a 1-meter resolution SAR satellite in 2023 and is currently developing 0.5-meter and 0.25-meter resolution SAR satellites. Furthermore, the company is accelerating the development of a VLEO UHR SAR satellite capable of capturing 15cm (0.15m) ultra-high-resolution images from an ultra-low Earth orbit (ULEO) below 400km above Earth.

Jeju Island, located at the southernmost tip of South Korea, is surrounded by the sea on all sides. This geographic advantage allows for optimal launch angles and a stable landing zone, making it the only location in Korea capable of both satellite manufacturing and launch. Consequently, the Jeju Space Center possesses the unique advantage of being able to handle the entire satellite industry value chain, from satellite development and manufacturing to launch, control, and AI image analysis services, all under one roof.

Additionally, as it was developed using the former idle land of Tamra University, it is expected to contribute to the mutual development of the Jeju region, including revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs.

Song Seong-chan, head of the space business division at Hanwha Systems, emphasized, “The Jeju Space Center is very meaningful in that it is an attempt by a domestic company to contribute to the private space industry of Korea and realize space security through an investment of 100% private capital.” He added, “This cutting-edge satellite research, development, and manufacturing facility that integrates ultra-precision and high-difficulty technology will create limitless opportunities and value for the K-space industry.”

Hanwha Systems completed construction of a new plant in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do last month, more than doubling its production base, and has now secured the largest satellite manufacturing hub in Korea in Jeju. Through strategic facility investments totaling KRW 100 billion, the company has pursued a two-track strategy of becoming a "defense industry export forward base" and a "future food manufacturing hub," thereby achieving the highest level of production capacity in the defense industry.