Korean aerospace giant joins forces with Space South Central to explore UK collaborations
L-R Professor Adam Amara (University of Surrey), James Ridley Jones (DBT), Tobias Marchant (Space South Central), Sean Yim (Hanwha Aerospace), Professor Bob Nichol (University of Surrey).
Korean company Hanwha Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with one of Space South Central’s academic partners, the University of Surrey, amid plans to grow its collaborative relationships in the UK.
The MOU marks Hanwha Aerospace and Space South Central’s commitment to bridge the global gap between growing demand for space-based services and limited satellite launch availability, connecting UK and Korean efforts.
Under the agreement, both parties will jointly identify suitable projects of common interest that can be supported and developed in both countries.
Among the activities proposed between the University of Surrey and Hanwha are a series of satellite technical demonstration projects to explore new commercial applications and services. The programme will use the university’s satellite platforms and Hanwha’s launch services and Nuri rockets.
Established nearly 50 years ago, Hanwha has a vast portfolio of aerospace and defence services, and is the only South Korean company with end-to-end capacity for engine designing, manufacturing, and evaluating systems. Hanwha aims to be a leading player in the global space launch industry by offering a complete value chain of space businesses under its Space Hub initiative. In 2020, it launched London-based Hanwha Phasor, focused on shaping the future of satellite communications.
The MOU was signed by Sean Yim, Space Hub/Business Development of Hanwha, and Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean at the University of Surrey, one of Space South Central’s academic partners alongside the universities of Portsmouth, Southampton and UCL.
Professor Nichol, said:
"Building on the University of Surrey’s heritage of international cooperation to develop and fly small satellites, this agreement paves the way for exciting new projects.
“Space pioneers from Hanwha and the Space South Central universities will work together to demonstrate ways to use space peacefully for the good of people, planet and economies.”
Sean Yim from Hanwha, said:
“Working with Space South Central and signing this MOU with the University of Surrey will allow us to identify potential areas of collaboration with the UK, highlight potential partners and bring UK and Korean space ambitions together.”
Space South Central’s International Partnerships Manager, Toby Marchant, played a central role in brokering the agreement, including meeting with Hanwha executives in Seoul, Korea, earlier this year. He said:
“This MOU presents many exciting opportunities, not just for Hanwha, our university partners and the Space South Central region, but for UK-South Korea space collaborations going forward.
With the support of DSIT, DBT and UKSA, who have been instrumental in helping establish this MOU, Space South Central is committed to developing new and existing partnerships with companies and countries all over the world, and we’re delighted to have Hanwha on board.”
The Memorandum of Understanding signing between Hanwha representative, Sean Yim, and Professor Bob Nichol, from the University of Surrey.
