Korean-Made Space Radiation Measuring Device to Fly on NASA Lunar Lander...Heading to Lunar South Pole in 2030

KASA and NASA Sign Implementation Agreement: Flight Model to Be Completed by 2027

Measuring Lunar Surface Radiation and Neutrons

Data to Support Research on the Safety of Crewed Lunar Exploration

The space radiation measuring instrument being developed by Korea will travel to the lunar South Pole aboard a private lunar lander operated by NASA in 2030. By directly measuring the lunar surface's radiation environment, it will secure essential base data required for the future long-term stay of astronauts, as well as crewed and uncrewed lunar exploration missions.

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced on the 17th that it had signed an implementation agreement with NASA on the 14th to load the domestically developed Lunar Surface Space Radiation Measuring Device (LVRAD) onto the lander of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

Civil lunar lander shape. Provided by NASA

According to this agreement, KASA will complete development of the LVRAD flight model by 2027 and transport it to the United States according to NASA’s schedule. NASA will then deliver the instrument to the lunar South Pole using a private lunar lander, and support the instrument’s operation and transmission of observational data following landing. Although the launch is currently scheduled for 2030, the timing may be subject to change based on NASA’s schedule.

LVRAD is an instrument that measures space radiation reaching the lunar South Pole surface. It consists of a space radiation dosimeter and spectrometer—measuring radiation penetration and energy distribution—and a neutron spectrometer for monitoring the neutron environment.

Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks a strong magnetic field and a thick atmosphere, meaning it is directly exposed to space radiation. The data collected by LVRAD is expected to be utilized for research into how lunar surface radiation affects astronauts, landers, and both crewed and uncrewed exploration activities.

The private lunar lander that will carry LVRAD is being developed by American aerospace company Intuitive Machines and will host a total of seven observation instruments, including the Korean measuring device.

KASA Administrator Tae seog Oh stated, “This implementation agreement will further solidify cooperation between KASA and NASA for future lunar bases. We will continue to expand international collaboration, advance lunar exploration technologies, and strengthen Korea’s contributions to the global space science community.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.