사진 확대

Combining Korea's space program with our long-established technology in the global market will create a significant synergy between the two countries. It can dramatically shorten the construction period of a 'space dome' that defends the airspace of the Republic of Korea."

Tales Alenia Space (TAS), a global space defense company, has proposed a strategy for implementing omnidirectional space cooperation between Korea and Italy. The idea is that if its unique geostationary satellite technology is combined with the Korean space surveillance network and air defense system, it can create clear synergy. The proposal comes as the relationship between South Korea and Italy has recently been upgraded to a "special strategic partnership," laying the institutional foundation for advanced science and technology and space security cooperation.

"If space security consultations between the two governments progress, we are ready to launch satellites before 2030 to lead the development of South Korea's national defense," TAS CEO Ervedrei said in a recent Mail Business interview. "The technology linking geostationary early warning satellites and ground radars, which are the core of our integrated space air defense system 'SkyDefender', is the best solution to completely complement South Korea's missile defense network in space," he stressed.

The core of Sky Defender, proposed by CEO Drey as a cooperation card for the Korea-Italian space alliance, is the "Early Warning System for Geostationary Orbit," which concentrates advanced space technology. In order to capture the missile threat of the enemy in real time, it is equipped with an ultra-precise infrared (IR) sensor on a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite 36,000 kilometers above the sky, and immediately captures the heat source in the early stages of missile launch from the front line of space.

Under the SkyDefender system, TAS plans to target the Korean market based on a multi-layered space surveillance network system that links data detected by geostationary satellites to clusters of low-orbit (LEO) tracking satellites and long-distance UHF radars in real time.

Such an active space technology proposal is in line with the current trend in which the leaders of the two countries officially operated science and technology cooperation in high-tech industries. As the horizon of cooperation between the two expands beyond simple diplomatic exchanges to the space domain, global players who have already built trust for decades in the domestic defense and space industries seem to be moving quickly on the front line.

In fact, TAS has completed the '425 Reconnaissance Satellite Cluster (SAR) Project' to secure the South Korean military's independent surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in cooperation with key domestic institutions and companies such as the Defense Research Institute (ADD) and Hanwha System.

CEO Dray said, "Since the launch of Unit 4 in November 2025, the entire cluster satellite has been successfully powered and is currently operating perfectly in space orbit. As the Korean space industry has already grown into a strong leader with its own autonomy in the global supply chain, it will lead the next-generation space business together as an equal partner beyond simple technology transfer."

Space cooperation between the two countries goes beyond the air defense system and directly leads to the goal of securing the country's 'independent space sovereignty'. TAS is currently leading the design and manufacture of core navigation payloads that act as the heart of Korea's own satellite navigation system (KPS) with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and others, and is working closely with LIG Nex1 in the ground station sector.

"True space sovereignty comes from the ability to operate independent systems and evolve themselves without external dependence," CEO Drey said. "We will provide full space technology support and joint research to Korea until the evolution of low-orbit precision navigation multi-layered structures, which will become a key infrastructure for future mobility and next-generation communication."