South Korea Sets Sights on Lunar Base with Ambitious 2045 Goal

South Korea’s newly established space agency, the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), has unveiled plans to construct a lunar base within the next two decades. The move highlights South Korea’s ambition to compete with other Asian space powers, including Japan, China, and India.

The nation is aiming for a long-term lunar presence that will support scientific research, technological advancement, and economic growth. This base is also envisioned as a strategic stepping stone for future deep-space missions, with a target completion year of 2045.

On July 17, a public meeting was held at the National Research Foundation of Korea, where KASA outlined its development roadmap. The agency introduced “five core missions,” which include initiatives in low-Earth orbit activities, microgravity research, lunar exploration, solar studies, and broader space science projects.

As part of its initial phase, KASA has proposed deploying a robotic lander—a spacecraft designed to make soft landings on celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars and carry out surface missions. Looking ahead, a more advanced version of this lander is expected by 2040, aligning with broader plans to develop a sustainable lunar economic base by 2045.

South Korea’s Progress in Lunar Exploration

South Korea is not entering the lunar exploration field without prior experience. In August 2022, it successfully launched its first lunar orbiter, Danuri, as part of the initial phase of the Korean Lunar Exploration Program. The second phase, scheduled for 2032, will include the launch of robotic modules using South Korea’s own KSLV-III rocket—reducing reliance on foreign launch providers like SpaceX.

South Korea’s lunar ambitions are part of a broader regional trend. China, for instance, is also working toward building a lunar base by 2045 in collaboration with international partners.

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