Korean Air and French space company Exotrail have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) solutions, with a focus on satellite transport and other in-orbit services.
According to the companies, the MOU was signed on April 2 in Seoul. The partnership is expected to cover Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite transport and payload hosting, multi-orbit satellite deployment, and satellite life extension and in-orbit refuelling.
The companies said they will establish a joint working group to coordinate launch schedules and “optimize” orbital transport cost structures.
OTVs are propulsion-based vehicles used to move satellites from a launch vehicle insertion orbit to their final target orbit. The press release described them as providing in-orbit services after deployment, including orbital correction, refuelling and life extension—capabilities that can become more relevant as operators seek to deploy multiple small satellites into different orbits from a single launch.
Korean Air said it will contribute expertise in launch vehicle and satellite systems, including mission control and structural/control system design. Exotrail, which works in electric propulsion and orbital mobility, said the partnership supports its expansion into the Asian market.
“By combining Exotrail’s proven space heritage with Korean Air’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities, we aim to secure a competitive advantage in the New Space market,” a Korean Air representative said.
The announcement follows Korean Air’s 2025 reusable methane engine development program with Hyundai Rotem, which the company said is part of a broader push to expand its aerospace activities to include launch vehicle manufacturing and orbital transport services.
