In 2017, APSI signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Research Institute to develop the 'Performance Verification Satellite (PVSAT)' for the Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV)-II, 'Nuri', or 'NURI-ho'.

The assembly, integration and test of the satellite and the construction of the ground station were completed last year. PVSAT is a satellite developed by APSI to verify the launch and orbit insertion performance of the Nuri launch vehicle.

On April 22, KBS conducted an interview related to the flight model of PVSAT for the Nuri-ho. 

It is the first satellite to be used in the second launch of the Nuri-ho, and for the technology demonstrationa and experimentation, and the total of about 180kg.

The first goal of the PVSAT launch and operation is to verify "how accurately the Nuri-ho can separate satellites into the desired orbit."

The second goal of the PVSAT launch and operation is to carry four cube satellites developed by domestic universities over the two years inside of the PVSAT and to sequentially separate them into the orbit during the in-orbit operation.

The third goal is to verify the performances and operability of the domestically developed satellite components (CMG (Control Moment Gyro), S-band antenna, and ETG (Electrical Heated Thermoelastic Generator)) in space environments for space core technology development and verification.

"By utilizing and expanding the satellite platform technology secured through PVSAT, we plan to actively participate in domestic and foreign small satellites constellation and various satellite development projects for space exploration."

Han Sang-hyeon, head of APSI's research department, said, "We hope to grow into a space powerhouse alongside with the pride of launching our own satellites, from our own launch site, by our launch vehicle."