The government has launched a project to develop a 75-ton class liquid-fuel propelled engine, which is a core part of the nation’s plan to develop an indigenous space launch vehicle.

The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said Wednesday that it has established facilities and equipment at the Naro Space Center in South Jeolla Province to conduct performance tests on turbopumps and combustors as part of the engine's development.

The ministry plans to conduct 120 performance tests on combustors and 80 tests on turbopumps.

The ministry plans to establish by the end of next year seven additional test facilities for propulsion systems and three-stage engines.