Charting a Path Toward a Sustainable ROK Space Program

Abstract

This thesis seeks to trace the origins and initial Republic of Korea (ROK) strategy in space policy and to analyze the prospects and challenges of building effective and sustainable civil, commercial, and military space capabilities. To better understand the factors involved in developing a sustainable ROK space program, two sets of comparative case studies, both internal and external cases, are examined. The internal case studies consist of the ROK automobile and semiconductor industries, and the external case studies are of Israels and Australias space programs. The ROK space program exhibits considerable differences from the internal and external case studies in terms of policy direction, R and D investment, and human resources. Based on these findings, this thesis derives several conclusions. In order to take a path toward a sustainable space program, the ROK should redefine national needs and aspirations for its space activities; plan to expand private investment, especially in space R and D; invest in the space sector with a long-term vision; and continue to strengthen ties with international partners, especially its main ally, the United States.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1031004

Entities

People

  • Jung H. Jang

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Industry
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Commerce
  • Electronics Industry
  • Investments
  • National Security
  • Payload
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Objects
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • United States

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Economics
  • International Relations, focusing on Korea-Africa and North Korea-South Korea relations, and Nigeria-Latin American Relations.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space