September 9, 2025
Technology

🇰🇷 South Korea Charts Bold Path to Lunar Base by 2045

South Korea has unveiled a long-term roadmap to establish its first moon base by 2045, marking an unprecedented leap in its space ambitions. The announcement was made at the launch of the new Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), South Korea’s answer to NASA, on May 30, 2024. President Yoon Suk Yeol laid out the vision to send a lunar lander in 2032 and eventually station nationals on the moon by 2045, anchored by the ambitious goal of planting the Taegeukgi (national flag) on Mars in the same year.

From Danuri to Moon Lander

South Korea’s first lunar orbiter, Danuri, was launched in 2022. Since then, Danuri has transmitted more than 2,500 high-resolution images, including shots of the lunar south pole region first explored by India’s Chandrayaan‑3. The orbiter’s extended mission enabled further lunar surface research and technology verification, such as space-based internet experiments

KASA plans to send the country’s maiden lunar lander in 2032 using the next-generation KSLV‑III rocket, which will have reusable and advanced capabilities. The preliminary lander design completion is set for 2027, detailed design by 2029, followed by a soft-landing test mission in 2031, and full deployment in 2032. This step ignites a strategic path toward constructing a crew-accessible lunar base by circa 2045.

Building a Domestic Space Ecosystem

President Yoon pledged to funnel 100 trillion won (approx. US$72 billion) into space research by 2045. The budget is slated to grow to over 1.5 trillion won (~US$1.1 billion) by 2027, reflecting its importance as a national growth engine. The KASA headquarters—planned in Sacheon—is part of a broader space industry cluster centered on research, rocket production, and satellite revival across regions like Daejeon and South Jeolla—termed South Korea’s future “Toulouse of Asia

KASA consolidates prior space programs from institutions such as KARI and KASSI under one umbrella. Led by experienced professionals—including former NASA veteran John Lee—the agency aims to both coordinate national missions and foster private-sector innovation in startups like Perigee Aerospace.

International Partnerships & Mars Aspirations

South Korea is expanding global partnerships to support its lunar and Martian missions. In September 2024, KASA and NASA signed a cooperation agreement related to Artemis mission activities, heliophysics research, and deep-space communication systems. Similar agreements were forged with Germany’s aerospace agency in early 2025.

These partnerships will enhance South Korea’s technical reach while aligning its lunar base ambitions with global space governance frameworks such as the Artemis Accords.

Why 2045 Matters

The timeline aligns with South Korea’s centennial milestone of liberation from colonial rule. Yoon emphasized that the 2045 Mars milestone is as symbolic as scientific—aiming to elevate South Korea into the top five global space powers by mid-century.

What Lies Ahead

  • 2025–2027: Scaling of launch infrastructure, satellite proliferation, and preliminary lander engineering.
  • 2030: KSLV‑III′’s maiden payload launch and initial test missions.
  • 2032 onward: Soft landing and operations of lunar lander; development of moon base infrastructure.
  • Mid-2040s: Establishment of a human-crewed or remotely operated lunar base; entry into Martian exploration stage.

South Korea’s pursuit of a moon base by 2045 is no pipe dream—it’s a national vision backed by rigorous planning, institutional reforms, and global partnerships. A new space era beckons for the nation known for its tech might.

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