South Korea's Moon Base Ambitions Gain Momentum with ESA Collaboration
South Korea's lunar ambitions are gaining momentum with plans to establish a global entry into space by 2045, while the European Space Agency (ESA) is strengthening global ties with recent agreements and potential collaborations.
South Korea's moon program, featuring the Danuri spacecraft, is set to enter lunar orbit, marking a significant step towards their goal of establishing a moon base by 2045. Meanwhile, ESA and Japan's JAXA have joined forces to study asteroids Apophis and 3200 Phaethon. Their rideshare agreement will see ESA's Ramses spacecraft and Japan's Destiny+ mission launch together on a Japanese H3 rocket.
ESA's Ramses will first visit Apophis, a potentially hazardous asteroid, before studying 3200 Phaethon, the parent body of the Geminid meteor shower. This mission is part of ESA's strategy to diversify and deepen global partnerships, given uncertainty over NASA's budget and future cooperative programs. ESA and JAXA are already collaborating in the Artemis program, jointly developing the International Habitation Module (I-HAB) for the Lunar Gateway station.
At the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, ESA and Korea's KASA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for enhanced cooperation. This MoU allows both agencies to use each other's ground stations and covers future cooperation in space science, exploration, and infrastructure. ESA's support could facilitate South Korea's lunar ambitions, as ESA previously assisted China's Chang'e lunar program.
South Korea's moon base plans are progressing, with ESA's support and collaboration with Japan on asteroid studies. ESA's strategic partnerships, including the MoU with KASA, aim to strengthen global cooperation in space exploration despite uncertainties in NASA's future programs.
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