The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recognized South Korea as a key partner in the construction of a Moon base, stating that various opportunities for participation are available not only for the government but also for domestic companies and research institutions. NASA expressed that the process of building the Moon base could create a new space economy, allowing South Korea to enhance its human exploration technology and advanced industrial competitiveness.
Carlos Garcia-Galan, head of NASA's Moon Base Program, emphasized during a press briefing on July 29 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul, "We are reviewing which countries to collaborate with in various areas, including habitation modules and transportation systems. South Korea is a partner with both interest and capability."
The briefing was held ahead of the 'Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA)-NASA Artemis Workshop' scheduled for July 30. The two sides plan to discuss specific areas of collaboration in Moon base construction, including landers, lunar communication, surface mobility, and scientific exploration.
Galan noted, "The very fact that we are discussing this collaboration with KASA is a positive signal," adding that a more detailed schedule and collaboration items are expected within three months.
NASA highlighted that various collaboration opportunities are open not only to the South Korean government but also to domestic companies and research institutions. Nujood Merancy, deputy director of NASA's Moon Base Program, stated, "We have analyzed South Korea's capabilities and potential areas for collaboration internally at NASA and have completed our review. We believe there are possibilities for collaboration in several areas, including landers, lunar surface mobility, scientific equipment, cargo transport, and containers."
Eric Meyer, head of international cooperation at NASA, mentioned that discussions are currently focused on government-to-government (G2G) cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea, but he also indicated that various opportunities will open up for the private sector in the future. Galan expressed hope that universities and companies will contribute diverse ideas to the Artemis ecosystem.
NASA views the construction of the Moon base not merely as an exploration project but as a process to establish a new space economy. Galan explained, "New technologies and industries emerged during the Apollo program, the International Space Station (ISS), and Mars exploration. Just as a new economic ecosystem was created with private sector participation in low Earth orbit, we aim to extend this economic model to the Moon."
As a result, NASA anticipates that South Korea can secure new industrial opportunities in various fields such as space mobility, energy, communications, and robotics, moving beyond merely supplying components to actively participating in the lunar exploration ecosystem.
Galan stressed the importance of South Korea developing technologies with human space exploration in mind in the long term. He stated, "While robotic technology will be key in the early stages of Moon base construction, all systems are ultimately developed with the assumption that humans will use them. It is crucial for South Korea to accumulate technology with human exploration in mind, regardless of the field of participation."
NASA is advancing its Artemis program, which aims to validate rendezvous and docking technology for commercial lunar landers and crewed spacecraft by 2027, and to land astronauts at the lunar South Pole by 2028. Following that, in 2029, NASA plans to deploy unmanned rovers and scientific equipment to investigate local resources such as water and ice at the lunar South Pole. By 2032, the agency aims to gradually establish habitation, power, communication, and mobility systems, ultimately operating a Moon base where astronauts can stay for extended periods to conduct exploration and technology demonstrations.
The Moon base envisioned by NASA is designed to resemble a small city similar to a polar research station, aiming to be a self-sufficient base equipped with living quarters, power and communication infrastructure, scientific facilities, and industrial facilities for producing propellant and oxygen. Galan stated, "Our goal is not just to go to the Moon but to establish a forward base where humanity can reside for extended periods, laying the groundwork for exploration from the Moon to Mars and beyond into the solar system."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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