South Korea and NASA Sign Artemis Research Agreement, Strengthening Moon and Mar

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced on October 30 that it had signed a study agreement with NASA regarding the Artemis program.

South Korea signed the Artemis Accords in May 2021.

With this agreement, South Korea will actively participate in the U.S.-led moon and Mars exploration missions, contributing to the development of lunar exploration environments and preparations for Mars exploration.

According to KASA, the study agreement is a follow-up to the joint statement issued by both agencies on September 19 and the Artemis Accords signatories’ meeting held in Milan on October 14.

Through this agreement, KASA stated, “The two agencies aim to jointly pursue collaborative activities to establish a sustainable lunar exploration environment and prepare for Mars exploration. The areas of cooperation include the development of lunar landers, space communication and navigation systems, astronaut support tools, and space life sciences and medical operations.”

South Korea is the fifth country to enter a study agreement with NASA regarding Artemis. KASA assessed that the agreement not only expands opportunities for collaboration with NASA but also serves as a foundation for South Korea to gain recognition for its technological capabilities on the international stage.

Furthermore, it was evaluated that South Korea is now positioned to play a meaningful role in U.S. Mars exploration activities as a natural extension of this agreement.

The fields of cooperation and main collaborative activities are as follows:

Lunar Landers: Joint development and utilization of lunar lander technology for safe lunar landings and mission execution.

Space Communications and PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing): Establishing a seamless data communication system and precise PNT between the Moon and Earth.

Astronaut Support Tools and Applications: Development of support tools and application systems to ensure astronauts’ safe and efficient mission execution.

Space-based Life Sciences and Medical Operations: Research on life support and medical operation systems in space environments.

Lunar Surface Science and Technology Facilities, Capabilities, Instrumentation, and Payloads to Enhance Utilization in Lunar Orbit or on the Lunar Surface: Enhancement of utilization on the lunar orbit or surface through the deployment of scientific and technological facilities, capabilities, instrumentation, and payloads.

Autonomous Power, Robotics, and Mobility Systems: Development of autonomous power systems, robotics, and mobility solutions for lunar exploration.

Lunar Surface and Cis-Lunar Activities: Research on various mission execution activities on the lunar surface and in cis-lunar (Earth-Moon) space.

KASA stated, “Through this agreement, South Korea aims to acquire advanced space technology and, by strengthening cooperation with NASA in the future, play a significant role in moon and Mars exploration activities.”


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South Korea and NASA Sign Artemis Research Agreement, Strengthening Moon and Mars Exploration Collaboration