Spectacular Sights of Earth, Moon Revealed by Danuri Lunar Orbiter

South Korea’s first-ever lunar orbiter Danuri has sent out black-and-white pictures of the Moon’s surface and Earth, the national space center claimed Tuesday.

Danuri– a portmanteau of the Korean words for “Moon” and “enjoy”— was released on a SpaceX rocket from the USA in August 2022 and went into lunar orbit last month.

Its pictures– taken between December 24 and January 1– show the lunar surface and Earth and were fired from less than 120 kilometers (75 miles) over the Moon, the Korea Aerospace Study Institute (KARI) said in a statement.

The pictures and videos will be “used to select potential websites for a Moon landing in 2032,” it added.

Danuri is circling the Moon every two hrs, the center claimed.

The orbiter will start its scientific objective next month, which includes mapping, evaluating the lunar surface, and measuring magnetic stamina and gamma rays.

It will also test experimental “space internet” technology by sending pictures and videos to Earth.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has hailed Danuri’s achievements as a “historical moment” in the country’s space program.

South Korea has outlined ambitious plans for outer space, consisting of landing spacecraft on the Moon by 2032 and Mars by 2045.

Read the original article on Science Alert.

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