The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has partnered with Unmanned Exploration Laboratory (UEL), a South Korean space robotics startup, to begin localizing core drive components for lunar exploration rovers. The team is developing motors and power conversion units capable of operating in the extreme temperatures and vacuum conditions of the lunar surface, targeting a rover weighing under 25 kg that can climb 10-degree slopes and travel at 4 meters per second. The first space demonstration of select components, including control boards, is scheduled for the Nuri rocket's fifth launch in October, marking an effort to secure "space heritage" for South Korean-made parts. The long-term goal is to land a rover equipped with domestically developed technology on the lunar surface by 2032, aligning with South Korea's national lunar exploration timeline.
The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has joined forces with Unmanned Exploration Laboratory (UEL), a South Korean space robotics startup, to begin full-scale localization of core drive components for lunar exploration rovers. The initiative aims to develop electric drive technology capable of operating in the extreme temperatures, vacuum, and fine dust conditions of the lunar surface, with the first space demonstration scheduled for the Nuri rocket's fifth launch in October.
The goal of this collaboration extends beyond simple component development — it seeks to secure "Space Heritage," the proven track record of domestically produced parts operating successfully in actual space environments. Space-grade components face mission application restrictions if they lack flight heritage, even when their performance has been validated through ground testing.
Space-Grade Actuators: An Urgent Localization Priority
Currently, South Korea's space systems rely entirely on imported "space-grade actuators" (drive units) to power rovers. According to the government's future space economy roadmap, South Korea is targeting lunar exploration by 2032, with the core objective being to demonstrate practical operational capability on the lunar surface. The exploration rover's role in achieving this is critical, yet domestic efforts have been hampered by a disconnect between rover system developers and core component manufacturers, limiting the country's ability to build independent capabilities.
Dr. Lee Ji-young's team at KERI's Aerial Mobility Propulsion Research Division has established a collaborative model that combines the design expertise of a component-specialized institution with the field experience of a space robotics systems company. Under this arrangement, KERI handles the design and verification of motors and power conversion units, while UEL contributes rover system development and operational expertise.
Drive Technology Built for Extreme Environments
The lunar surface presents formidable challenges: daytime temperatures soar to 120–130°C, while nighttime temperatures plunge to minus 130–180°C. With virtually no atmosphere, meteorites strike the surface directly, and fine sand dust permeates the environment — conditions that make conventional motors and electronic components unusable without significant adaptation.
The research team is developing motor and power conversion unit technology that will enable a rover weighing under 25 kg to climb 10-degree slopes and travel at 4 meters per second under these conditions. The power conversion unit is a critical component that transforms battery power into a form suitable for motor drive operation.
To enhance technical maturity, the team has also built a Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HILS) system that creates virtual space environments on computers and continuously verifies component performance. This system analyzes input/output characteristics and drive performance of motors and power conversion units based on actual measurement data, allowing researchers to identify potential issues before they occur in real space missions.
First Demonstration Aboard Nuri Rocket's 5th Launch
The first space demonstration will take place during the Nuri rocket's fifth launch, scheduled for October 7. KERI will provide technical support for UEL's space environment demonstration of select components, including control boards. What is being sent to space this time is not the rover's complete motor or electric drive system. The research team plans to incorporate data gathered from this demonstration into ground-based research and subsequently expand the demonstration scope to include the full electric drive system, including motors.
KERI's independent analysis and verification capabilities played a pivotal role in the research process. While analyzing drive performance data of the target motors and inverters destined for space, the team identified characteristics requiring additional technical review. After approximately five months of sustained technical consultation with leading manufacturers in the field, the team successfully characterized these properties. This is regarded as a successful collaboration case that combined KERI's expertise in independently analyzing and verifying target components — rather than blindly relying on specific component performance — with UEL's field engineering capabilities.
Targeting 2032 Lunar Landing
Beginning with this Nuri rocket payload demonstration, the research team's long-term goal is to land an exploration rover equipped with KERI technology on the lunar surface before 2032. The vision is to proactively secure independent space exploration operational capabilities amid intensifying global competition for space dominance.
Dr. Lee Ji-young stated, "When South Korea's space component ecosystem was virtually nonexistent, we entered this field with bare hands and the determination to create something from nothing." She added, "In the early stages of research, there were no reference cases to consult, and we were sometimes treated as outsiders. But after personally visiting space experts across the country and building a network, we are now recognized as a core institution for space-grade motor technology research." She concluded, "By 2032, we will definitely send a rover carrying KERI's proprietary technology to the lunar surface, ushering in a true era of space mobility for South Korea."
