[비즈한국] Czech space companies and institutions are increasingly viewing South Korea as a core partner in the aerospace sector, expanding cooperation with domestic firms. As the Czech Republic has recently been significantly increasing production and investment in its space industry, opportunities for collaboration and export potential for Korean space companies are also growing.
According to recent reports from Czech media, the Czech Space Alliance (CSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Aerospace Technology Promotion Association (KASP) last year, pledging cooperation. KASP and CSA are also participating in the Czech Republic's National Space Plan (NSP), which runs through 2025, with the goal of generating public investment returns in the space sector. The associations from both countries also plan to collaborate on research and development (R&D), including the joint development of satellites and space exploration systems, as well as ground infrastructure and data utilization.
Furthermore, the associations have agreed to support startups and strengthen corporate partnerships. Consequently, in October of last year, TelePIX, a domestic satellite imagery analysis startup, signed a strategic agreement with Zaitra, a Czech spacecraft-mounted data processing company, and is currently working together. This marks the first time a collaborative agreement has been reached between private space companies from South Korea and the Czech Republic.
TelePIX is developing space-grade edge computing technology with Zaitra. An edge computer is a device that processes data locally rather than sending it to the cloud. It is expected to be effectively utilized in fields that require rapid situational awareness, such as disaster response, agriculture, and climate and atmospheric observation.
KASP is a non-profit scientific and technological corporation established in 2014, serving as a leading association for domestic space companies. Hanwha Aerospace012450 serves as the chair company, and the association has approximately 100 member firms. It carries out tasks such as space policy research, technical development support, talent cultivation, and international cooperation.
Human exchanges are also expected to take place this year, including a visit by a Czech technical team to South Korea. The space industry, including KASP, predicts that these exchanges will lead to long-term market expansion for Korean space companies.
The Czech Republic hopes for cooperation not only between governments but also within the private sector in the future. The Czech Republic is a latecomer to space development compared to South Korea. Because Korean companies offer more flexibility in technology transfer compared to those in the U.S. or Europe, they are well-positioned to target niches in the Czech space market.
In particular, domestic aerospace companies such as Hanwha Systems272210 and TelePIX are expected to target the export of satellites and payloads. It is reported that Hanwha Systems signed an MOU last year with Polish satellite company Creotech to enter the European small satellite market and has been conducting business in Eastern Europe.
An industry official explained, "The Czech Republic sees South Korea as a potent partner for diversifying its supply chain in the aerospace sector. As the Czech Republic expands its investment in space companies, there are opportunities to target local demand for reconnaissance satellite data, payloads, and more."