Korea-U.S. Space Alliance Advances to Lunar Missions... KASA and NASA Begin Full-Scale Artemis Cooperation

Space cooperation between Korea and the United States has moved beyond the stage of declarations and has now entered a phase of practical collaboration, with both countries conducting joint lunar exploration missions.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have agreed to review the progress of the Artemis Accords and, taking the participation of Korea's lunar surface radiation detector LVRAD in NASA's lunar transportation program as an opportunity, to concretize cooperation in the fields of mobility, communications, and power.

At the 41st Space Symposium, Tae Seog Oh, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration (left), poses for a commemorative photo with Jared Isaacman, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Courtesy of KASA

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KASA announced that on April 13 (local time), Administrator Tae seog Oh held his first meeting with Jared Isaacman, the new Administrator of NASA, at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, USA, to discuss practical cooperation under the Artemis program. This meeting is particularly significant as it took place shortly after the successful return of Artemis II and focused on follow-up collaboration.

Both sides reviewed the implementation status of the Artemis research agreement, which was signed in October 2024, and agreed to actively support public-private discussions in both countries to achieve visible results early in core areas of lunar exploration infrastructure, such as mobility, communications, and power.

The key outcome of this meeting was elevating the participation of Korea's lunar surface radiation detector LVRAD in NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) to an official axis of cooperation. NASA finalized the inclusion of the Korean payload in CLPS last month, and on this basis, the two sides focused on expanding lunar exploration cooperation.

Shape of LVRAD (left) and shape of LVRAD neutron spectrometer (right). Provided by Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA)

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LVRAD is a payload being developed under the leadership of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, with Seoul National University, Cheongju University, and Kyungpook National University participating. It will measure the distribution and temporal variation of cosmic radiation energy on the lunar south pole surface. The data obtained will serve as key reference material for astronaut radiation safety standards and the design of long-term human stays during future crewed lunar missions.

In particular, LVRAD will be mounted on the NOVA-D lunar lander developed by U.S. private company Intuitive Machines and will embark on a lunar south pole exploration mission in 2030. This marks the first time Korea has directly entered NASA's commercial lunar transport network and the deep space safety data ecosystem for crewed missions, making this a milestone achievement.

Tae seog Oh, Administrator of KASA, stated, "This meeting is a milestone that demonstrates the Korea-U.S. space alliance has moved beyond simple declarations and entered a stage of substantial technological cooperation," adding, "We will continue to seek concrete ways for Korea to play an essential role in humanity's sustainable lunar exploration."

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