The South Korea’s first lunar probe transmitted impressive black and white photographs of the Moon and the Earth that will also serve as to select possible lunar landing sites in 2032The South Korean space center reported Tuesday.
The lunar probe, called Danuri -which comes from “Dal”, which means Moon, and “Nuri” which means enjoy- took off in August from the United States aboard a SpaceX rocket and inserted into lunar orbit in December, after a long flight to save fuel.
The images of the Earth and the Moon date from December 24 and January 1, they were taken less than 120 kilometers from the lunar surface, a statement from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said on Tuesday.
As noted, the photos and videos will be used to select the sites likely to host a moon landing in 2032.
The space center indicated that Danuri makes a complete orbit around the Moon every two hourspublished the AFP news agency.
President Yoon Suk Yeol celebrated Danuri’s activity in December, speaking of a “historic moment” in the history of the South Korean space program.
the orbiter will begin its scientific mission next monthduring which it will map and analyze the lunar surface, and make magnetic force and gamma ray measurements.
It will also test the “space internet,” an experimental technology, by beaming photos and videos back to Earth.
South Korea presented ambitious space plans, such as the landing of a spacecraft by 2032 and sending a landing plane to Mars by the year 2045.
