A South Korean spacecraft has captured stunning new images of the lunar surface and Planet Earth. Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, also known as Danuri, is South Korea’s first ever spacecraft to orbit the Moon. Launched on a SpaceX rocket from the US in August 2022, it began travelling towards the Moon and was inserted into lunar orbit late in December.
The precise detail of the camera on board the lunar orbiter means it is possible to see craters on the lunar surface from close-up, as well as the vast size of Earth in the background. The images are a test of the lunar orbiter, which itself is a major test of South Korea’s plans to explore space.
Image credit: Cover Images
Such images of the Moon will allow scientists to find a landing location for future exploration of the Moon’s surface...