National Aerospace Technology Administration

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National Aerospace Technology Administration
국가항공우주기술총국
NATA logo
Agency overview
Formed1 April 2013; 12 years ago (2013-04-01)
Preceding agency
JurisdictionGovernment of North Korea
HeadquartersPyongyang
Agency executive
  • Ryu Sang Hoon, Director
National Aerospace Technology Administration
Chosŏn'gŭl
국가항공우주기술총국
Hancha
國家航空宇宙技術總局
Revised RomanizationGukga Hanggong Uju Gisul Chongguk
McCune–ReischauerKukka Hanggong Uju Kisul Ch'ongguk

National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA; Korean: 국가항공우주기술총국) is the official space agency of North Korea, succeeding the Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST). It was founded on 1 April 2013.[1] Formerly called the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA), it changed its name in September 2023 following the 9th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly.[2] The current basis for the activities of NATA is the Law on Space Development, passed in 2014 during the 7th session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly.

Korean Committee of Space Technology

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Further information: Korean Committee of Space Technology
Unha-3 Rocket on 8 April 2012 in Sohae

In 1980, KCST, the executive space agency of North Korea, began research and development with the aim of producing and placing communications satellites, Earth observation satellites, and weather observation satellites into orbit.[3]

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In 2009, North Korea signed the Outer Space Treaty, and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space Objects.[4]

In 2016, North Korea accepted the Rescue Agreement, an international agreement setting forth rights and obligations of states concerning the rescue of persons in space, as well as the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.[3]

Logos

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NATA's previous emblem consisted of a dark blue globe with the word Kukgaujugaebalkuk (National Space Development Administration) in white Korean letters on the bottom, DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in light blue letters on the top, the Big Dipper, NADA in white letters in the middle, and two bright blue rings symbolizing satellite orbits and the intention of place on all orbits of satellites. The logo was described as representing the agency's "character, mission, position, and development prospect". Ursa Major was intended to symbolize and glorify the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as a space power.[1][5]

Western media pointed out that the logo bore a striking resemblance to NASA's logo — both have blue globes, white lettering, stars, and swooshed rings.[6][7]

NATA's new logo includes an additional red stripe, similar to NASA's.[8]

List of former directors

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  • Yu Chol-u (2015?-2019?)
  • Ryu Sang-hoon (2023?-)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Pearlman, Robert (2 April 2014). "North Korea's 'NADA' Space Agency, Logo Are Anything But 'Nothing'". Space.com. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  2. ^ "9th Session of 14th SPA of DPRK Held". Korean Central News Agency. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b Williams, Martyn (21 April 2023). "North Korea's Space Agency at Ten". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. ^ "KCNA Report on DPRK's Accession to International Space Treaty and Convention". Korea News Service (KNS). Archived from the original on 2 April 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  5. ^ "National Aerospace Development Administration of DPRK". Korea News Service (KNS). Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  6. ^ "North Korea names space agency 'NADA,' mimics NASA logo". CNET. 2 April 2014.
  7. ^ "North Korea's space agency's logo means nothing — literally". Business Insider. 9 February 2016.
  8. ^ 北朝鮮 「朝鮮民主主義人民共和国国家航空宇宙技術総局報道、偵察衛星成功裡に発射 (조선민주주의인민공화국 국가항공우주기술총국 보도정찰위성 성공적으로 발사)」KCTV 2023/11/23 字幕, retrieved 25 November 2023