The research team led by Professor Seong-man Choi at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has succeeded in developing a core thermal protection technology that protects spacecraft during Earth reentry, marking a turning point in strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic space industry.

JBNU announced that, as part of the "Space Challenge Project" promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Administration, Professor Choi's team conducted research to develop a reentry thermal protection system and succeeded in fabricating a full-scale reentry capsule suitable for mission application.

The project is a national research project that began in 2022 and will run for approximately four years. Its goal is to secure technologies to protect spacecraft from the extreme thermal environment encountered during atmospheric reentry.

In Phase 1 (2022–2023), the research team developed thermal protection materials for sample return and demonstrated their durability under extreme conditions with a heat flux level of 5.60 MW/m² at the High-enthalpy Plasma Research Center Jeonbuk National University. In Phase 2 (2024–present), the team completed the fabrication of a capsule-type, full-scale reentry thermal protection system capable of actual mission performance—the first such achievement domestically.

This achievement realized a reentry capsule thermal protection system approximately 400 mm in diameter using ultrahigh-temperature thermal protection materials on the order of several tens of millimeters. It is significant in that it demonstrates the domestic feasibility of return technologies capable of recovering novel materials or rare resources produced in space back to Earth.

In addition, the research team achieved results in developing a tile-type TPS (thermal protection system) intended for reusable spacecraft. The team fabricated thermal protection tile specimens to protect the high-temperature-exposed areas on the rear surface of spacecraft and, through testing and evaluation, confirmed heat-resistant performance and structural stability at levels suitable for reuse.

In particular, by domestically developing bonding technology for the joints between tiles—identified as vulnerable under ultrahigh heat flux conditions—and passing thermal tests, the team has established a foundation that can be applied to the development of reusable launch vehicle technologies such as space shuttles.

Professor Seong-man Choi stated, "This research outcome is a core technology applicable to various fields such as future space exploration and resource recovery, and it has high potential for practical application and commercialization. We also expect that the technical capabilities of the specialized personnel accumulated through the research process will contribute to strengthening the nation's space technology competitiveness."