KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Aircraft Division of KARI is undertaking a feasibility study for a stratospheric airship, investment for which has been estimated at some US$42 million over the period 2001 to 2007 (US$33.5 million from the South Korean government and US$8.5 million from the private sector). The project is supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MACIE). Completion of a subscale (50 m; 164 ft long) unmanned version, to have a 3-hour endurance at 5,000 m (16,400 ft), was reported in November 2003. The electrically powered helium non-rigid is controlled automatically for station-keeping; the full-size (200 m; 656 ft) stratospheric version is intended to follow.
In addition to the airship project, KARI is engaged in the development of two four-seat light aircraft, as described in the accompanying entries.