Korean Electronics Research Institute Pursues 'Space Heritage' for Lunar Rover Drivetrain Components

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Korean Electronics Research Institute Pursues 'Space Heritage' for Lunar Rover Drivetrain Components

Published2026.09.21 11:30

Dr. Ji Ji-young of KERI poses while holding a rover motor and power conversion device.

First Space Demonstration Through October Nuri Rocket Fifth Launch, Targeting 2032 Lunar Landing

Domestic researchers have begun in earnest to secure space flight heritage—demonstration records in actual space environments—for drivetrain components to be mounted on lunar exploration rovers. Since domestic space systems currently depend entirely on imported rover drive core components, this initiative is evaluated as the first step in establishing a domestic space parts ecosystem.

Dr. Ji Ji-young's team at the Korean Electronics Research Institute (KERI) Aerospace Mobility Propulsion Research Team is collaborating with space robotics startup Unmanned Exploration Research Laboratory Co., Ltd. (UEL) to advance research on exploration rover drive technology, and announced on the 21st that through the fifth Nuri rocket launch scheduled for October this year, it will conduct the first space environmental demonstration of certain components.

The government's "Future Space Economy Roadmap" targets lunar exploration in 2032, and KERI plans to use this demonstration as a stepping stone toward that goal.

The research team is conducting preliminary research on electric motor and power conversion device technology that enables rovers weighing 25kg or less to climb 10-degree slopes and travel at 4m/s even in the extreme high-temperature environment of up to 125°C on the lunar surface, high-vacuum conditions, and dusty environments.

Additionally, the team is in parallel constructing a "real-time performance verification system (HILS)" that simulates hypothetical space environments on computer to continuously verify component performance.

During this collaborative process, KERI analyzed input and output characteristics of the target motor and inverter using measured data to identify characteristics requiring additional technical review.

Subsequently, through approximately five months of technical discussions with relevant manufacturers, the team clarified those characteristics.

In the October Nuri rocket launch, UEL will provide technical support for space environmental demonstration of certain components including control boards it developed, with plans to mutually share the obtained data for reflection in ground-based research.

Going forward, the scope of demonstration will be expanded to include the entire electric drive system including the motor.

Existing domestic space industry has faced limitations in securing independent capabilities due to insufficient linkage between system developers and component developers.

The collaboration between KERI and UEL represents a division-of-labor structure combining design capabilities and field operation expertise, attempting to overcome this disconnect.

Dr. Ji Ji-young stated, "In the early stages of research, there were no reference cases to consult, but by establishing networks with space experts nationwide, we are now recognized as a core institution in space-grade motor technology research," and "I am determined to send a rover carrying KERI's proprietary technology to the lunar surface in 2032."

This research is part of the "Development of Electric Powertrain Design Technology for Rovers Operating in High-Temperature, High-Vacuum Space Environments" project, and KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Research Council of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and ICT.

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