Korea and Europe meet through 'Lagrange' to strengthen space cooperation [Now in Space]

The space agency is strengthening cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). Our country plans to develop a Lagrange Point 4 (L4) probe. ESA is developing an L5 heliosphere probe.



Lagrange refers to 'the point where the gravity and orbital motion of two celestial bodies are balanced.' In the case of the Sun and the Earth, there are five points from L1 to L5.



L1 faces the Sun head-on, so it houses solar observation satellites. L2 houses space telescopes such as the James Webb. L3 is used for gravitational balance research, and L4 and L5 are used for heliosphere exploration.



Points L1 to L5. The James Webb Space Telescope is located at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), about 1.5 million km away from the Earth, to conduct infrared observations. [Photo = National Science Museum, Gwacheon]





The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) (Director Youngbin Yoon) held a seminar with the European Space Agency (ESA) at the KARI headquarters (Sacheon) on the afternoon of the 15th to strengthen space cooperation with



Europe. This seminar was held in time for the visit of the ESA delegation (Chief Representative, Eric Morel, Director of the Strategy, Legal Affairs and External Cooperation Department) to Korea, where the two organizations discussed specific measures for expanding cooperation in the space sector.



The two organizations shared technology and research status in various fields such as satellite navigation systems, space exploration, space environment monitoring, and Earth observation. In order to further solidify the foundation for cooperation between the KARI and ESA, the details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) currently under discussion were also reviewed.



ESA plans to develop the L5 Heliosphere Explorer targeting Lagrange Point 5 and operate a space environment observation mission. The KARI plans to develop the L4 Heliosphere Explorer. Cooperation between the two missions is expected to provide an important opportunity to deepen research on solar activity and space environment forecasting.



Yoon Young-bin, head of the Aerospace Administration (left), is talking to the European Space Agency (ESA) delegation. [Photo = Aerospace Administration]



ESA designed and developed Galileo, the European Union (EU)'s global satellite navigation system, and also possesses high-precision navigation technology. The space agency is currently developing the Korea Positioning System, a regional satellite navigation system.



Cooperation between the two organizations, such as the Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) system, can lead to tangible results such as improved satellite navigation accuracy and stability, as well as mutual reinforcement and reliability of satellite navigation signals. They



also discussed cooperation in the development and joint use of deep space communication infrastructure for more efficient space activities, earth observation for achieving sustainable goals, environmental monitoring, and space science and data analysis.



Such activities by the space agency are expected to be an important opportunity for Korea to demonstrate its space development capabilities at the center of global space research and development.



Aerospace Administration. [Photo = Space Agency]



ESA is the organization that oversees space exploration and research in Europe, with a total of 23 European countries as member countries. It is participating in various global projects related to space technology development.



It has shown outstanding performance in earth observation, satellite navigation systems, exploration missions, launch vehicle development, and space environment monitoring, so we can expect various cooperation through space technology sharing with Europe.



Director Yoon Young-bin said, "This seminar will serve as an important turning point that will not only strengthen space cooperation between Korea and Europe, but also establish itself as a center for international space research and development." He added, "In the future, the space agency will continue its efforts to strengthen global space cooperation with ESA as well as individual ESA member countries."





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