Moon exploration roadmap./Korea AeroSpace Administration

The Korea Aerospace Administration announced a long-term space exploration roadmap to build a lunar base by 2045.

On the 17th, the Korea Aerospace Administration held a public hearing on the "Republic of Korea Space Exploration Roadmap" at the National Research Foundation of Korea in Yuseong District, Daejeon, revealing its vision for space exploration and long-term strategies through 2045. This roadmap was established based on the "Fourth Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion" and the "Space Science Exploration Promotion Strategy."

The Korea Aerospace Administration categorizes the exploration areas into Earth, the Moon, the heliosphere, and deep space, dividing them into five major programs: low orbit and microgravity exploration, lunar exploration, solar and space science exploration, planetary system exploration, and astrophysical exploration. The roadmap presents scientific missions for each program and engineering tasks to realize them.

In the field of lunar exploration, it presented plans to develop independent lunar landing and mobility technologies, utilize resources, and establish economic base infrastructure to turn the Moon into a foundation for the space economic ecosystem beyond a scientific research subject. They plan to develop a new lunar lander capable of logistics transportation by 2040 and to build an economic base on the Moon by 2045.

In the field of solar and space science, plans are set to develop a solar observation exploration vessel to enhance understanding of the Sun. They aim to create a space science exploration vessel by 2030 and to challenge the L4 solar observation exploration vessel by 2035.

In the field of deep space exploration, they have set goals to develop a Mars orbiter by 2035 and a Mars lander by 2045. There is also a policy to develop an asteroid exploration vessel by 2040.

Additionally, the roadmap includes plans for astrophysical exploration through advanced observation equipment, as well as for proving future new industries such as space medicine and space agriculture.

Yoon Young-bin, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration, said, "We plan to reflect the diverse opinions gathered during the public hearing, revise and supplement them, and finalize the roadmap for announcement within this year after deliberation by the Space Development Promotion Working Committee. We will do our best to create a private-centered space ecosystem and establish a sustainable exploration system based on the opinions of citizens and experts."