Since its opening in 1996, as Korea’s first dedicated satellite assembly and space environment testing facility, the Satellite & Space Exploration Test Center has built a cutting-edge space testing ecosystem within a vast area of 25,970 m², equivalent to four soccer fields. With three orbital environment labs, two launch environment labs, EMC testing rooms, and assembly rooms, all facilities operate in cleanrooms of ISO Class 7 or higher and are designed to perfectly replicate the extreme conditions faced by satellites, spacecraft, and launch vehicles. It offers a one-stop verification platform where structural dynamics, thermal vacuum, and electromagnetic tests can be conducted seamlessly in a single integrated environment. To date, it has successfully supported key national space programs, including the KOMPSAT series, GEO satellites, lunar landers, and the KSLV launch vehicles. Backed by decades of experience and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the center continues to serve as a cornerstone of Korea’s space development initiatives.
This facility conducts assembly and precision alignment operations for satellites and space probes, operating two separate cleanrooms for large and small assembly processes. From initial subsystem integration into the main satellite body to the final configuration phase prior to launch site delivery, most of a satellite’s or probe’s time, excluding environmental testing, is spent here. To ensure precise attitude control, the relative and absolute positions of components and structures are measured and aligned using advanced optical metrology equipment.
This facility conducts environmental testing to simulate the vibration, shock, and acoustic loads experienced during satellite rocket launches. It is equipped with advanced domestic technologies, including a 640kN-class large vertical shaker system (QUAD), a 280kN-class mid-large shaker, a 160kN-class component-level shaker, an 80kN-class small vibration test system, and a large acoustic chamber. Additional systems include static/dynamic mass measurement equipment, drop and pyroshock testers, and modal test measurement and analysis systems.
This lab simulates extreme space conditions— including ultra-high vacuum conditions (<10⁻⁹ atm), elevated temperatures (>100°C), and cryogenic environments (<-180°C) to validate the performance and reliability of satellite systems and components prior to launch. Facilities include a large thermal vacuum chamber (LTVC) with an 8-meter effective diameter and a 10-meter length chamber developed using domestic technology, an optical thermal vacuum chamber (OTVC) for payload testing, mid- and small-sized TVAC chambers, thermal cycling chambers, and bake-out chambers for decontamination.
This lab performs compliance testing for both radiated and conducted electromagnetic noise encountered during satellite operation. It is equipped with measurement systems covering frequency bands from DC to 40 GHz and electric field generation systems up to 200 V/m. Testing is conducted according to EMI/EMC standards for satellite systems as well as Military Standard 461G.