Korea-US Join Forces for 'Moon Exploration and Pioneering'

Published 26 Apr.2023 08:09(KST)

Ministry of Science and ICT-NASA Joint Statement on Strengthening Space Development Cooperation

South Korea and the United States have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in various fields of space development in the new space era. In particular, they have attracted attention by agreeing to actively collaborate on lunar exploration, including the construction of the Lunar Gateway, surface exploration, and technology sharing, which are currently being intensified.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th (local time), Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, who is visiting the U.S. with President Yoon Suk-yeol, visited NASA together with President Yoon and announced a "Joint Statement on Space Exploration and Space Science Cooperation" with Pam Melroy, Deputy Administrator of NASA. This statement is a document concluded between the Ministry of Science and ICT and NASA.

The two organizations agreed, "We will create a safe, transparent, peaceful, and sustainably prosperous future in space for the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the world, not only through the Artemis Accords but also through mutual cooperation," and "Recognizing the importance of space exploration for future scientific advancement and the progress of human knowledge, we will develop exploration sustainably under reciprocal cooperation."

Specifically, they identified space communication and navigation as key cooperation areas, including utilizing South Korea's deep space antenna for NASA's deep space network construction. They also plan to collaborate on scientific and technological research on the Moon, including the international outpost Gateway in lunar orbit being developed under NASA's leadership. Additionally, they will strengthen cooperation in space science fields encompassing solar physics, astrophysics, planetary science, and earth science, as well as activities to enhance future lunar exploration such as biological and physical science research on the lunar surface, mobility, robotics, and the application of South Korea's expertise in hydrogen fuel cells.

The two organizations agreed to discuss signing individual or multiple agreements on these areas in the future. Both sides stated, "We agree to share appropriate communication channels between the two parties, including the soon-to-be-launched Korea Aerospace Agency (KASA), to initiate discussions," and "After thorough discussions on potential cooperation areas, we will conduct joint activities based on the outcomes through appropriate agreements."

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "We expect President Yoon's visit to NASA to be a momentum for strengthening Korea-U.S. space cooperation, and we will swiftly proceed with follow-up measures with NASA," adding, "Since cooperation between NASA and the Aerospace Agency is specified in the joint statement signed today, we will do our best to establish the Aerospace Agency by the end of this year to bring new changes to Korea's space development field."

Meanwhile, South Korea has been actively engaging in space development cooperation, becoming the 10th participant by signing the Artemis Accords, a lunar exploration project led by the U.S. in 2021. The first lunar probe 'Danuri,' which arrived in lunar orbit last December, acquired navigation technology with NASA's advice and jointly utilized the deep space communication network. Danuri is also equipped with ShadowCam, a camera for permanently shadowed regions developed by NASA to search for candidate lunar landing sites. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute's high-energy particle observation equipment, LUSEM (Lunar Space Environment Monitor), is scheduled to be onboard NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) to be launched in 2024.