S. Korea to launch Korean version of NASA as early as May in Sacheon city

5월 개청 우주항공청 2032년 정말 달에 갈 수 있을까 South Korea’s version of NASA --the Korea AeroSpace Administration is expected to be launched this May. This comes as part of Seoul’s efforts to catch up with other advanced countries’ space programs and eventually become one of the world’s top space powers. The country plans to land a spacecraft on the moon in 2032 and on Mars in 2045 and with successes we have already seen with Danuri --Korea’s first lunar orbiter and homegrown Nuri-rocket launch, hopes are high. What role would this new space agency KASA play and how are other countries fulfilling their ambitions in space? For this, we invite Professor Paul Yun from El Camino College. He is also a NASA Solar System Ambassador. Welcome, professor. And we also have Doctor Kang Sung-ju, an Astronomer and Science Communicator from Morescience. Good to see you, Doctor Kang. (YUN) Q1. Let’s first talk about the value of the global space industry. Morgan Stanley says that the space economy will continue to grow and eventually surge to over one trillion U.S. dollars by 2040. Could you tell us more about how promising this industry is expected to be? (KANG) Q2. Before we talk about how space powers are doing, let’s focus on South Korea first. Last Tuesday, the National Assembly passed a special act to establish a Korean version of NASA, which will be responsible for the country’s space development. What is Seoul’s current space plan? (YUN) Q3. Looks like KASA will be in charge of many significant agendas. The space agency will be launched as early as May. It is indeed a great step, but some raise concerns saying it will be difficult to assemble experts. What are the challenges? (KANG) Q4. Though there may be challenges, once KASA is launched, what significance would it have? I assume it would definitely help to boost joint projects with space research institutes in other countries, right? (YUN) Q5. We have already witnessed the successful launch of Danuri and the homegrown Nuri rocket. South Korea is planning to work on the goal of landing on the moon by 2032 and exploring Mars by 2045. Could you tell us about South Korea’s current technology level regarding space? (KANG) Q6. Moving on to other countries’ projects first on attempts by the U.S. Astrobotic Technology developed the lunar lander Peregrine, but after the launch, it abandoned the moon landing attempt due to propellant loss from a fuel leak. Could you tell us more about what went wrong? (YUN) Q7. NASA postponed two Artemis missions by nearly a year to address technical issues. What were these missions about and what are the challenges? (KANG) Q8. Not just the U.S., China too is on track to launch a lunar lander in the first half of this year, aiming to beat the U.S. in the race back to the moon. As far as I know, its lunar explorer has arrived at its launch site already, right? (YUN) Q9. Other countries have had space-related achievements as well. India made a historic moon landing last year and Japan too developed its “Moon Sniper“ lander which successfully entered lunar orbit. Could you tell us about the space ambitions of other countries? (BOTH) Q10. Lastly, in order for South Korea to catch up with other advanced countries’ space programs and become one of the world’s top five space powers, what more should be done? Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have for today’s edition. Thank you Professor Yun and Doctor Kang for your time and insights. We appreciate it. #NASA #KASA #Space_agency #Science #Space #Lunar #우주_항공청 #우주 #달 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2024-01-16, 18:30 (KST)