What Perigee Aerospace does

Perigee Aerospace Inc. is a South Korean space mobility company founded in 2018 that develops end-to-end launch vehicles and liquid methane propulsion systems. The company is headquartered in Daejeon with a 16,500 sqm Rocket Development Complex in Okcheon-gun, a Rocket Research Center on the KAIST campus, and a Future Tech Lab in Seoul. Its product portfolio includes three Blue Whale launch vehicles — Blue Whale 0.1 (educational sounding rocket, first Korean civilian liquid rocket, flown Dec 2021), Blue Whale 0.4 (suborbital test vehicle, 20 kg payload), and Blue Whale 1 (two-stage orbital vehicle, 200 kg to 500 km SSO) — plus a propulsion component catalogue spanning the 34–38 kN Blue 1S turbopump engine, the 7 kN deep-throttling Skyblue pressure-fed engine, CubeSat cold gas thrusters in 0.8U and 2U form factors, patented Type 5 CFRP cryogenic tanks (30% payload gain over aluminum), electroformed regeneratively cooled combustors, and qualified cryogenic valves (PGUV/PMCV/PTSV/PFTV).

Perigee generates revenue through four streams: orbital and suborbital launch services contracts, hardware sales of propulsion components (engines, tanks, thrusters, valves) to satellite manufacturers and launch vehicle developers, Korean government R&D contracts from KASA, KARI, DAPA, and KRIT, and educational/training programs for international space agencies. Pricing is enterprise-custom with multi-year contracts and no public rate card. Customers to date are concentrated in the public-sector and institutional space ecosystem — Philippine Space Agency (sounding rocket training and spaceport feasibility), Swedish Space Corporation (Blue Whale 1 launches from Esrange), Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (16U CubeSat thruster validation), and Korean defense primes Hyundai Rotem, Korean Air, and KAI as 35-ton methane engine consortium partners.

Go-to-market is direct enterprise B2B with channel/launch-site partnerships in Sweden (Esrange/SSC) and South Australia (Whalers Way) providing global orbital access. The company has raised approximately $20.8M across disclosed rounds (2019–2022) from Korea Development Bank, LB Investment, Mirae Asset, Samsung Venture Investment, STIC Ventures, and Innopolis Partners. Perigee has received National Strategic Technology designation for its 3-ton methane engine from the Ministry of Science and ICT, Space New Technology designation from KASA for its electroforming process, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and final selection for KASA's Phase 3 Small Launch Vehicle Development Capability Support Project.

Name

Perigee Aerospace

Legal name

Perigee Aerospace Inc.

Website

https://perigee.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Perigee Aerospace is a South Korean space mobility company developing liquid methane launch vehicles (Blue Whale series) and propulsion systems — engines, CFRP tanks, CubeSat thrusters, and valves — for small satellite operators, national space agencies, and CubeSat manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Launch Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rocket Engines (Liquid) (IMABADAE), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

Keywords

• Small satellite launch
• Orbital launch vehicles
• Liquid methane propulsion
• Cubesat propulsion systems
• Space launch services

Headquarters

HQ city

Daejeon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Launch Vehicle Sales and Launch Services: Perigee develops and operates launch vehicles (Blue Whale series) providing orbital and suborbital launch services to satellite customers. Revenue generated through direct contracts for dedicated or rideshare launch missions to sun-synchronous and other orbits.
2. Propulsion System Sales: Sale of propulsion systems including engines (BLUE 1S, Skyblue), CubeSat thrusters, CFRP tanks, and aerospace valves to satellite manufacturers, launch vehicle developers, and space agencies.
3. Government R&D Contracts: Perigee participates in government-funded development programs including 'Small Launch Vehicle Development Capability Support Project' and 35-ton methane engine consortium, receiving R&D funding from KASA, KARI, DAPA, and KRIT.
4. Educational and Training Programs: Sounding rocket educational programs conducted for international partners such as the Philippine Space Agency, where participants learn rocket design, assembly, and flight operations using Blue Whale 0.1.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Perigee Aerospace designs, manufactures, and operates small-satellite launch vehicles (Blue Whale 0.1 sounding rocket, Blue Whale 0.4 suborbital vehicle, and Blue Whale 1 orbital vehicle capable of 200 kg to 500 km SSO) and produces a portfolio of in-house liquid methane propulsion products, including the Blue 1S main engine, Skyblue upper-stage engine, CubeSat cold-gas thruster, CFRP cryogenic tanks, electroformed combustors, and qualified aerospace valves. It provides end-to-end space mobility solutions to satellite operators, government space agencies, and research institutions, delivering custom launch services, propulsion hardware, satellite propulsion engineering services, and educational/training programs such as the sounding rocket cooperation with the Philippine Space Agency.

Product overview

Perigee Aerospace Inc. is an end-to-end space mobility solution company providing propulsion systems and launch vehicles from ground to space. The product portfolio consists of three Blue Whale launch vehicles: Blue Whale 0.1 (educational sounding rocket), Blue Whale 0.4 (suborbital test vehicle), and Blue Whale 1 (orbital launch vehicle with 200 kg payload capacity). Propulsion products include the Blue 1S turbopump-fed main engine, Skyblue pressure-fed upper stage engine, and CubeSat Thruster cold gas propulsion system. Supporting technologies include CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) cryogenic tanks offering 30% weight reduction, electroforming for precision metal components, and aerospace valves (PGUV, PMCV, PTSV, PFTV) all qualified to KSLV-II flight standards. The company also provides satellite propulsion system engineering services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Whale: Launch vehicle series including Blue Whale 0.1 (educational sounding rocket), Blue Whale 0.4 (suborbital test vehicle), and Blue Whale 1 (orbital launch vehicle capable of delivering 200 kg payloads to 500 km SSO).
• Blue 1S
• Skyblue
• CFRP Engineering
• Electroforming
• PGUV
• PMCV
• PTSV
• PFTV
• CubeSat Thruster

Products and services

• Blue Whale 0.1 Educational sounding rocket and South Korea's first civilian liquid rocket, launched from Jeju in December 2021; used as a hands-on training platform for rocket design, assembly, and flight operations.
• Blue Whale 0.4 (BW0.4) Suborbital test launch vehicle powered by pressure-fed Skyblue engines; provides microgravity environment for scientific research and technology demonstrations with 20 kg payload capacity to suborbital trajectories.
• Blue Whale 1 (BW1) Two-stage orbital launch vehicle on liquid methane propulsion, featuring a 9-engine Blue 1S main stage and a Skyblue upper stage; delivers up to 200 kg payloads into 500 km sun-synchronous orbit.
• Blue 1S Engine High-performance turbopump-fed LOX/LNG main engine with gas generator cycle and electroformed chamber; sea-level thrust 34 kN and vacuum thrust 38 kN; designated as National Strategic Technology.
• Skyblue Engine Pressure-fed methane engine with deep throttling capability (20-100%), 7 kN vacuum thrust and 355 s Isp; designed for upper stage and in-space missions including lunar lander applications.
• CubeSat Thruster Cold Gas Propulsion System (CPS) for CubeSats using commercial refrigerants instead of high-pressure gas; available in 0.8U (200 mN) and 2U (450 mN) configurations with sub-5W operational power consumption for orbit raising, station keeping, attitude control, and deorbit.
• CFRP Tanks Lightweight Type 5 carbon fiber reinforced polymer propellant tanks with patented cryo-compatible linerless design; available in diameters from 0.76m to 1.6m and enable 30% payload increase over aluminum tanks.
• Aerospace Valves & Fluidics (PGUV, PMCV, PTSV, PFTV) In-house cryogenic propellant and high-pressure gas valves qualified to KSLV-II 3rd stage flight standards: PGUV servo-actuated ball valve, PMCV servo-actuated poppet valve, PTSV solenoid valve for turbine start/purge, and PFTV pyrotechnic flight termination valve in NC and NO variants.
• Satellite Propulsion System Engineering Services End-to-end propulsion system engineering for satellite programs, leveraging in-house capabilities in design, integration, manufacturing, and testing; delivered as a professional service for satellite manufacturers and integrators.
• Sounding Rocket Training Programs Hands-on rocket engineering training programs delivered to international partners using Blue Whale 0.1 sounding rocket, covering rocket design, assembly, and flight operations (executed for PhilSA Oct-Nov 2025).

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% payload increase with CFRP tanks compared to aluminum alternatives
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Philippine Space Agency signed MOU with Perigee Aerospace to conduct feasibility study for building Philippines' first spaceport. Initiative aims to reduce launch costs, improve efficiency, and create opportunities for research and commercial space activities. Includes rocket technology training program completed October-November 2025.
• Ascend International Gateway Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Part of multi-party MOU with Philippine Space Agency, DICT, and CEZA for spaceport feasibility study.
• Hyundai RotemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Part of national consortium with Korean Air and KAI for developing 35-ton class reusable liquid methane engine. Project overseen by DAPA and KRIT, targeted for completion by 2030 with KRW 49 billion budget.
• Korean AircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Consortium partner for 35-ton reusable methane engine development. Korean Air leads turbopump development for the project.
• Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Consortium partner for 35-ton reusable methane engine development project overseen by DAPA and KRIT.
• Swedish Space Corporation (SSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerigee signed agreement with SSC to conduct Blue Whale 1 launch missions from Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden. SSC has been operating space center since 1966. Partnership enables launching European small satellites into sun-synchronous orbit.
• Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerigee selected as final enterprise for Phase 3 of Small Launch Vehicle Development Capability Support Project. KASA provides government funding and oversight for high-performance upper stage engine development.
• Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with KASA and Perigee on small launch vehicle development programs, providing technical evaluation and research support.
• Whalers Way Orbital Launch ComplexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLaunch site partnership in South Australia supporting direct ascent trajectories for polar, sun-synchronous, and 135-degree inclination orbits. Spans 1,600 hectares with 6 km ocean frontage.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab is the most direct competitor — a publicly-traded smallsat launch operator with the Electron rocket in commercial service and the upcoming Neutron vehicle expanding payload capacity. Perigee targets the same smallsat launch customer base with Blue Whale 1 and competes on methane propulsion vs Rocket Lab's Rutherford electric pump-fed engine.
• Relativity Space: Relativity is a US small-to-medium launch company developing Terran 1/Terran R, with novel manufacturing (3D printing) and Aeon methane engines — directly comparable to Perigee's methane propulsion and vertical integration thesis. Both target the same commercial smallsat and rideshare market.
• Isar Aerospace: Isar Aerospace is a German smallsat launch startup developing Spectrum with a methane-fuelled engine (Aquila), targeting SSO and polar orbits from Andøya, Norway. Comparable to Perigee as a European/Asia smallsat methane launch peer with similar funding stage and payload class ambitions.
• Firefly Aerospace: Firefly is a US smallsat launch company developing Alpha and MLV with a comparable payload class to Blue Whale 1. Both target commercial and government smallsat customers; Firefly's MLV aligns closely with Perigee's Blue Whale series scaling strategy.
• Skyrora: Skyrora is a UK-based smallsat launch company developing the Skyrora XL orbital vehicle with 3D-printed engines. Comparable to Perigee as a UK/Korean cross-region smallsat launch peer with similar sub-500kg payload class and ESG-conscious propellant choices.
• ABL Space Systems: ABL is a US smallsat launch startup developing the RS1 rocket. Both companies are pre-orbital or early-operational launch providers competing for the dedicated smallsat launch market segment that SpaceX rideshare is challenging.
• Orbex: Orbex is a UK smallsat launch startup developing Prime, a micro-launcher with bio-propane (methane-family) propulsion. Comparable to Perigee as a peer European/UK smallsat methane-family launch company at similar funding stage.

Regional players

• iSpace: iSpace is a Japanese smallsat launch startup (formerly Interstellar Technologies) developing ZERO and the larger MOMO-V. Comparable to Perigee as the closest Asian smallsat launch peer in a neighboring country with similar government-backed development model.
• Galactic Energy: Galactic Energy is a Chinese commercial smallsat launch company developing the Ceres-1 and Pallas-1 rockets, with similar payload class to Blue Whale 1. Comparable to Perigee as the Asian regional smallsat launch peer and a proxy for the rapidly growing Chinese commercial space sector.

Broad incumbents

• SpaceX: SpaceX dominates the smallsat launch market via Falcon 9 rideshare, compressing pricing across the smallsat launch segment. Not a direct niche competitor but the broad incumbent whose economies of scale and frequency force smaller players like Perigee to differentiate on dedicated missions, sovereignty, or propulsion technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCy1Km78rgVawLFwM28N-TOA
• Facebookfacebook.com/perigeespace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/perigee-space
• Instagraminstagram.com/perigee.space

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Perigee Aerospace