South Korea signs moon exploration pact with NASA

Head of Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA Yoon Young-bin left signs a joint statement with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at NASA headquarters in Washington Sept 19 2024 Courtesy of KASA — Korea AeroSpace Administration Administrator Yoon Young-bin (left) and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson display a joint statement following their meeting at NASA headquarters in Washington on Sept. 19, 2024. Courtesy of KASA

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) – The space agencies of South Korea and the United States have signed an agreement to cooperate in space science, exploration and aeronautics, including the U.S.-led lunar exploration program, officials said Wednesday.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) signed the research agreement with the U.S. space agency NASA, three years after Korea signed the Artemis Accords, a series of non-binding multilateral arrangements between the U.S. and partner countries that elaborates on the norms expected to be followed in outer space.

South Korea is the fifth nation to join the research collaboration under the Artemis program.

Under the new pact, the two agencies will conduct joint feasibility studies in various fields, including lunar landing technology, space communications and astronaut support tools, aimed at sustainable lunar exploration and preparations for future Mars missions.

"This agreement marks a significant milestone in U.S.-Korea space cooperation," said Yoon Young-bin, head of KASA. "We expect this will serve as a stepping stone for KASA to emerge as a key player in lunar and deep space exploration."

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com

South Korea signs moon exploration pact with NASA

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