Korean Lunar Exploration Program (Korean: 대한민국의 달탐사 계획) is led by theKorea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which develops lunar orbiters and landers. The plan includes theDanuri, a lunar orbiter launched in 2022, and a future lunar lander, scheduled to be launched in 2032.

South Korea's first lunar orbiter is named Danuri and its main mission is to perform various scientific and technological missions, includinglunar observation. Danuri is equipped withpayloads developed by research institutes in South Korea. Major payloads include a high-resolution camera from theKorea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), a wide-field polarimetric camera from theKorea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), a magnetic field measuring instrument fromKyung Hee University, a gamma-ray spectrometer from theKorea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and a space internet from theElectronics and Telecommunications Research Institute.^[1][2]

It was launched on August 4, 2022 from theCape Canaveral Space Force Station. As of August 5, 2023, its total flight distance was 38.01 million kilometers, and it sent 2,576 high-resolution photos of the Moon to Earth.^[3] Danuri is carrying out scientific and technological missions such as exploring lunar landing sites, conducting lunar scientific research, and verifyingspace internet technology.^[3]

Danuri's mission period was originally scheduled to end in late 2023, but was extended to end in 2025 due to remaining fuel and other factors.^[3]

KARI plans to launch the Korean lunar probe, a lunar lander, in 2032 using theKSLV-III.^[1] Once the preliminary design of the lunar lander is completed by 2027, the detailed design of the lunar lander is planned to be completed by 2029, after which full-scale production and testing will begin.^[1]

• South Korean space program

• Korean Lunar Exploration Program
• Space program of South Korea
• Proposed spacecraft

• Articles containing Korean-language text