Research Center

Research Center

KAIST Research Center

Joint research centers established through industrial investment
include KAI-KAIST Aerospace Technology Research Center, Hanwha Space Hub-KAIST Space Research Center,
and Perigee-KAIST Rocket Research Center. Please check with industry partners for details.

Theatre Defense Research Center(TDRC)
광역방어 특화연구센터
  • Director

    Prof. Hyochoong Bang

  • Supported by

    Department of Defense

  • Established

    2020

  • Goals
    • Pursue core research on guidance and control for national defense issues in collaboration with industry and research institutes
    • Work on fundamental research for upper atmosphere defense framework to support future national security
KAIST Unmanned Vehicle Core Technology Research Center
KAIST Unmanned Vehicle Core Technology Research Center
  • Directors

    Jaeheung Han, Hanlim Choi

  • Supported by

    Ministry of Science and ICT

  • Established

    2020

  • Goals
    • Enhance KAIST’s research capability in unmanned vehicle technology and establish a systematic research framework.
    • Participate in and respond systematically to national unmanned vehicle technology development projects.
IRC Space Service and Manufacturing Research Center (ISMRC)
IRC Space Service and Manufacturing Research Center (ISMRC)
  • Director

    Jaeheung Han

  • Supported by

    National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)

  • Established

    June 1, 2025

  • Goals
    • Conduct pioneering research on Korea’s first space service and manufacturing core technologies, including in-orbit demonstrations.
    • Establish an integrated innovation hub connecting industry, academia, and research; operate a one-stop support and innovation incubator to open new space markets.
    • Expand joint research with global leading research groups, lead international collaborative planning, and secure regional innovation bases.
Space-K Big Core Technology Research Center for Future Space Exploration
Space-K Big Core Technology Research Center for Future Space Exploration
  • Director

    Hyochoong Bang

  • Supported by

    Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA)

  • Established

    June 1, 2025

  • Goals
    • Secure core convergence technologies for future space science exploration.
    • Train specialized personnel to strengthen national space science exploration capabilities.
    • Establish a commercialization ecosystem for space science and exploration technologies.
Future Space Education Center
Future Space Education Center
  • Director

    Jihwan Choi

  • Supported by

    Ministry of Science and ICT / KASA, Hanwha Systems, Satrec Initiative

  • Established

    2022

  • Goals
    • Establish educational tracks for nurturing professionals in future space fields and build collaborative processes among industry, academia, and research institutions.
    • Conduct field-oriented space ICT education using challenging research projects and high-performance experimental infrastructure.
    • Carry out integrated space ICT convergence research and advanced studies on next-generation core technologies.
InnoCORE Aerospace AI Transformation Research Group
InnoCORE Aerospace AI Transformation Research Group
  • Director

    To be appointed

  • Supported by

    Ministry of Science and ICT / KASA, Hanwha Systems, Satrec Initiative

  • Established

    2022

  • Goals
    • Establish educational tracks for training professionals in future aerospace fields and create collaboration processes among industry, academia, and research institutions.
    • Provide field-oriented space ICT education through challenging research projects and advanced experimental infrastructure.
    • Conduct convergent space ICT research and leading studies on next-generation core technologies.