The Korea National Space Center said Tuesday that South Korea’s first Danuri spacecraft has sent black and white images of the surface of the Moon and Earth.
Danuri – a compound of the Korean words “Moon” and “enjoy” – was released on space rocket from USA in August 2022 and entered lunar orbit last month.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) says its images – taken between December 24 and January 1 – show the surface of the Moon and Earth, and were taken from a height below 120 kilometers (75 miles) above the Moon.
The images and videos will be “used to select potential sites for a Moon landing in 2032,” it added.
Danuri is circling the Moon every two hours, the center said.
The orbiter will begin a science mission next month, which will include mapping and analyzing the lunar topography, and measuring the strength of the magnetic field and gamma rays.
It will also test experimental “space internet” technology by transmitting photos and videos back to Earth.
President Yoon Suk-yeol hailed Danuri’s achievements as a “historic moment” in the country’s space program.
South Korea has outlined ambitious plans for spaceflight, including landing spacecraft on the Moon in 2032 and Mars in 2045.
