They were shot 120 kilometers from the moon. South Korea wants to use the images to identify possible landing sites for a 2032 moon landing.
According to South Korea’s space center, “Danuri” takes two hours to orbit the Moon. The probe will begin its main scientific mission next month. It will map and analyze the lunar surface and measure magnetic and gamma radiation.
South Korea launched its first self-developed space rocket in June. But in August, US private space company SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was used to launch “Danuri” into space. In Asia, China, Japan and India already have advanced space programs. In addition to the moon landing in 2032, South Korea is already planning a mission to Mars in 2045.
(SDA)