As major countries including the United States, Europe, and China have intensified deep space exploration and human spaceflight to the Moon and Mars, the Korea AeroSpace Administration has also established a long-term strategy for space exploration over the next 20 years.
According to the Korea AeroSpace Administration on 4th, this long-term plan is broadly divided into five programs by exploration areas: low Earth orbit/microgravity, lunar exploration, solar/space science, and astrophysics. The roadmap presents scientific missions for each program and engineering missions necessary for their realization.
In the low Earth orbit/microgravity field, plans are underway to establish a low Earth orbit space factory and conduct new material development and space medicine research by utilizing the microgravity environment in low Earth orbit. Basic research essential for human space activities, such as space medicine and space agriculture, will also be activated.
In the lunar exploration field, efforts will be made to promote lunar surface exploration, focusing on the development of logistics movement services. There is a plan to expand to deep space exploration, including Mars, based on technologies verified on the Moon using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic technologies. Research on big data necessary for long-term mission execution, including lunar environmental interactions and terrain and geological characteristics, will also be conducted.
In the solar/space science field, there are plans to develop a solar observation probe to enhance understanding of the Sun. A space science probe will be created by 2030, and there are plans to challenge the L4 solar observation probe by 2035. By 2040, a solar observation vessel will be developed and operated.
Yoon Young-bin, the head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, noted, "This plan will establish a systematic foundation for Korea's space science exploration and serve as an opportunity to enhance technological independence," and added, "We will simultaneously realize scientific discoveries and new growth engines through space exploration and expand global partnerships to increase our contribution to international space exploration."