2030s Lunar Resource Exploration, Korea-Luxembourg Joint Technology Development

Published 20 Apr.2023 11:13(KST)

KIGAM Signs Business Agreement with ESRIC

South Korea's national research institute is partnering with European research institutions to develop lunar resource exploration technology to be implemented in the 2030s.

Moon resource exploration robot being developed by Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). Photo by KIGAM

The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) announced on the 19th (local time) that it attended the 'Space Resources Week 2023' event held at LuxExpo the Box in Luxembourg, hosted by the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), as an official keynote speaker. Especially, immediately after the opening ceremony, KIGAM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) for mutual cooperative research in the field of space resource development and practical promotion of future-oriented space resource development.

The two institutions promised to strategically cooperate and promote various joint research projects for resource extraction, lunar regolith development, volatile substances, and landing site studies. In particular, if KIGAM develops lunar regolith simulants, ESRIC under LIST will conduct specific and complementary research such as extracting oxygen. They will also promote co-hosting international workshops, lunar-based STEM education activities, researcher exchanges, and technology development linked to industry.

Additionally, Kim Kyung-ja, head of KIGAM's Space Resource Development Center, delivered a keynote lecture presenting important scientific analysis results from the Danuri spacecraft's Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (KGRS), which is currently orbiting the Moon.

Photo by KIGAM