South Korea’s first lunar orbiter Danuri has sent black-and-white photographs of the Moon’s Earth and surface, the national space center said Tuesday.
Danuri, a portmanteau of Korean phrases for “Moon” and “enjoyment,” was launched in August 2022 by a SpaceX rocket from the United States and entered the lunar orbit last month.
Its pictures – taken between December 24 and January 1 – show the lunar surface as well as Earth, plus were captured out of under 120 kilometres (75 miles) over the Moon, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said in a statement.
“The pictures and videos will likely be used to pick possible sites for a Moon landing in 2032,” the report said.
Danuri is moving around the Moon every couple of hours, the center stated.
The following month, the orbiter is going to start its scientific mission, which includes mapping as well as analyzing the lunar surfaces and measuring magnetic strength as well as gamma rays.
Additionally, it will test an experimental “space internet” technology by sending photographs as well as videos to the surface area of the Earth.
Yoon Suk-yeol lauded Danuri’s accomplishments as a “historic moment” in the nation’s space program.
South Korea has ambitious plans for space such as launching spacecraft on the Moon by 2032 and on Mars by 2045.
