The abandoned mine in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, is being reborn as a cradle for the development of space technology to harvest lunar resources. Government-funded research institutes are establishing a 'space resource convergence demonstration complex' in the abandoned mine to test new technologies in preparation for the lunar resource exploration era.
On the afternoon of the 28th, at the Hamtai Mine's abandoned tunnel in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, more than 100 people gathered. The day marked a demonstration and explanation session for the local resource demonstration on the moon held by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources and the city of Taebaek. The session was filled with participants including Lee Pyung-gu, director of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Lee Sang-ho, mayor of Taebaek, Professor Bang Hyo-chung from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), various researchers from government-funded research institutes, city officials, and representatives from domestic and international space corporations.
Kim Kyung-ja, director of the Space Resource Development Center at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, said, "The moon holds abundant future resources, and its economic value is estimated to reach 560 trillion won," adding, "The goal of this project is to create an environment similar to the moon in the abandoned mine in collaboration with Taebaek City to test the resource extraction technologies developed by various government-funded research institutes."
The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources is promoting the 'K-moon local resource development' project in collaboration with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Energy Technology, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, and the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science. The government is also supporting a 'Global TOP Strategic Research Group' project that allows various government-funded research institutes to conduct joint research by breaking down barriers. Currently, the procedures for project selection are underway.
At the demonstration session, several resource extraction technologies under development by various government-funded research institutes and domestic space corporations were showcased. The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources presented a lunar regolith resource extractor. This equipment is designed to extract water, oxygen, and volatile gases from the lunar regolith. It is also equipment that OffWorld, a U.S. lunar resource development company, plans to send to the moon in 2029.
Director Kim Kyung-ja explained, "The equipment inputs soil harvested by a rover, heats it, and extracts and separates materials such as oxygen, hydrogen, and water," adding, "There are plans to demonstrate this in Taebaek before sending it to the moon's South Pole in 2029."
A rover designed to explore the lunar surface and harvest soil with a drill was also unveiled. A laser-guided fracturing spectrometer developed by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources will be mounted on this rover. This equipment is similar to the gamma-ray spectrometer mounted on the lunar orbiter Danuri. Director Kim noted, "As the rover moves across the lunar surface, it can analyze more than 50 elements in real-time through the sensors mounted on the spectrometer," adding, "Simulating terrain similar to the lunar surface for demonstration on the ground is crucial, and the demonstration complex being developed in Taebaek will play that role."
The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute also showcased a wireless power transmission system being developed for the lunar surface. The wireless power transmission system is designed to efficiently deliver electrical energy on the moon.
While a power infrastructure is necessary for lunar bases, using power cables as on Earth is difficult due to high expenses. The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute is researching ways to supply power through short-distance direct current distribution and long-distance wireless transmission. The various resource development devices installed at the Taebaek demonstration complex are expected to receive power through the wireless transmission system.
A research team led by Professor Bang Hyo-chung from KAIST unveiled a ultra-low-orbit CubeSat for lunar surface resource exploration. This mini-satellite will conduct resource exploration missions while orbiting in ultra-low orbits close to the lunar surface. Professor Bang explained, "The goal is to obtain exploration data through ultra-low orbit flights at altitudes of 10 to 50 km from the lunar surface," adding that a cosmic radiation measuring device, a rocket fuel (methane) production facility, and a heat pipe reactor will also be installed in the demonstration complex.
The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources announced plans to combine various resource development devices into a base-type platform to create an environment conducive to continuous research and experimentation. Construction of the experimental facility began in May this year, and starting next year, it will also establish outdoor experimental sites utilizing underground and above-ground spaces in the abandoned mine. In the long term, there are plans to create a space resource industrial complex to transfer the technologies developed this way to private corporations.
Director Kim Kyung-ja stated, "This demonstration, which aims to make the possibility of developing lunar resources a reality by recycling abandoned mines, signifies a turning point that opens the future of a new space industry, beyond mere technological advancement," and added, "We will strive to establish ourselves as a leading nation in space resource development in collaboration with domestic and international organizations."
Mayor Lee Sang-ho of Taebaek noted, "The underground research facility will inject great vitality into the stagnant local economy and will play a significant role in advancing towards becoming a high-tech research city and a clean energy city," adding, "We will fully support the researchers to conduct their research freely in Taebaek by addressing permitting issues and budgets at the local government level."