“This year was the first year LG executed the space business concept that had been under review for several years. By the 2030s, when the private space market is activated, we will generate revenue from the space business.”

This was emphasized by Jeong Su-heon, CEO of LG Science Park, in an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 4th. This is the first time Jeong, who oversees LG's space research and development (R&D), has participated in a media interview since taking office late last year. On November 27, LG embarked on performance verification by equipping the Nuri rocket's fourth launch with camera modules and other components. The company is also pursuing the development of its own small satellites.

Jeong stated, “After taking office as CEO, I focused on executing the mission of ‘preparing for the group's future,’” adding, “Among these, I considered space as a new growth area for LG, pondering what LG could do best.” During this year's fourth launch of the Nuri rocket, LG began by verifying its existing technologies.

LG sent existing products such as camera modules, batteries, and communication antennas into space to conduct operational tests. Jeong explained, “Space has different conditions from Earth, such as temperature, pressure, and radiation, so only products with verified reliability can gain entry opportunities,” and described the fourth launch of the Nuri rocket as LG's first step into the space business.

LG plans to accelerate its space business by developing its own CubeSats. CubeSats are ultra-small satellites measuring 10cm in width, length, and height. They are typically used for Earth observation but can also be utilized to verify product performance in space. Currently, LG is participating in external consortia to utilize CubeSats. Jeong stated, “We will create our own CubeSats to quickly verify various technologies LG possesses,” and added, “We will seek cooperation with startups and global partners as needed.”

LG believes that expanding the group's industrial ecosystem, which encompasses electronics, chemicals, and telecommunications, into space will differentiate it from other space companies. Jeong stated, “The space industry is now shifting from a focus on ‘exploration’ to ‘industry,’” emphasizing, “What can actually be done in space is important.” He stressed, “Just as LG's various technologies are responsible for many people's lives on Earth, we will expand them into space to grow the LG ecosystem.”

Jeong cited LG Electronics' air conditioning business as a representative example of ‘space expansion.’ He said, “Just as LG Electronics' air conditioning business expanded into the data center cooling business, we can pioneer the air conditioning field for stations and lunar bases in space,” and added, “LG Energy Solution's battery sector could be used as an energy storage system (ESS) for space structures.”

LG Science Park is an R&D organization exploring future growth drivers for the LG Group, including space, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. R&D talents from various affiliates such as LG Electronics and LG Chem are gathered to create convergence and synergy.

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