[Press Release] Private space launch vehicle startup Unastella successfully test-launches its own developed rocket in Goheung, Jeollanam-do

At 11:50 PM on May 28, a successful test launch of a small launch vehicle equipped with a 5-ton-thrust engine, measuring 9.45 m in length and 2 tons in total mass, was conducted from the company’s own launch site in Bongnae-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do

An achievement made in about three years since the company’s founding, and the first case of a private company successfully launching a rocket on its own within the territory of the Republic of Korea

A real-world launch application case for the space industry component localization project, the 'Space Pioneer Project'

(2025-05-29) Private space launch vehicle startup Unastella (CEO Park Jae-hong) successfully conducted a test launch of its self-developed small launch vehicle, 'UNA EXPRESS-I,' on May 28 at 11:50 PM from its own launch site in Bongnae-myeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do.

It is the first case of a private company in the Republic of Korea successfully launching a rocket on its own, and an achievement made in about three years since the company was founded in February 2022.

'UNA EXPRESS-I' is a small launch vehicle based on kerosene and liquid oxygen, measuring 9.45 m in length, 2 tons in total mass, and equipped with a 5-ton-thrust engine. After successfully completing a total flight of 10 km, the launch vehicle fell into the marine safety zone set off Goheung-gun, ending the launch campaign.

As payloads, microgravity test devices for materials under development by research teams from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials, Korea Basic Science Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and Chungnam National University were carried aboard.

This launch is also the first case in which the Korea AeroSpace Administration's space industry component localization project, the 'Space Pioneer Project,' has been applied to an actual launch.

The 'Space Pioneer Project' is a program led by industry with the goal of developing core technologies to the qualified model (QM) stage in order to localize technologies that are heavily dependent on overseas sources, and it is overseen by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Space Pioneer Project Group.

Unastella signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in November 2023 to participate as a demand-side company in the 'Space Pioneer Project.' For this launch, it introduced Danam Systems Co., Ltd.'s 'avionics integration technology' and Hanyang ENG Co., Ltd.'s 'interstage connection umbilical technology.'

Based on the success of this test launch, Unastella plans to begin developing a space launch vehicle based on an electric motor-pump cycle engine.

Yoon Young-bin, Administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, “I sincerely congratulate Unastella on the successful launch of UNA EXPRESS-I. I congratulate you on finally passing an important gateway to commercial launch through relentless challenge and innovation, and the Korea AeroSpace Administration will provide even more active support so that launch vehicle companies, including Unastella, can launch freely in better conditions,” sending a congratulatory message.

Park Jae-hong, CEO of Unastella, said, “I deeply thank everyone who generously supported us so that the launch could succeed,” and added, “We will continue to challenge ourselves so that Unastella can play a role in helping the Republic of Korea move forward as a space power.” (End)

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