Professor Lee Dae-young of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) expressed concerns about the South Korean government's plan to land on the Moon by 2030, stating that the current lunar exploration project is moving too quickly. In an interview following his presentation at the 2026 World Korean Science and Technology Conference in Seoul on July 8, he noted, "Developing a satellite system takes at least three years, and creating a completely new mission system requires even more time."
Despite his reservations, Professor Lee emphasized the importance of taking on challenges. He remarked, "It's difficult to advance technology by only doing what is easily achievable. As the global technological landscape changes rapidly, it is essential to learn from failures and build an industrial foundation through these experiences."
He identified the transport capability of the Nuri rocket as crucial for the success of the lunar mission. "Lunar exploration involves various fields, including propulsion, orbit control, and landing systems," he explained. "While some communication technologies related to lunar orbit operations have been validated through the Danuri mission, securing sufficient transport capability for Nuri to reach the Moon will be a significant challenge."
Regarding the current state of South Korea's space robotics technology, Professor Lee assessed it as being in its early stages. He stated, "Our country has no experience operating robotic systems in space, and we lack operational experience altogether. The KAIST Satellite Research Institute plans to validate a domestic robotic system in space through the 'Active Control Technology Development for Space Objects' project."
His research team is also working on developing an origami-based gripper designed to capture space objects. He explained that due to the constraints of launching equipment within a rocket, origami structures can be folded small for launch and then expanded in space for use. "We are currently developing a gripper based on origami technology to capture space objects," he said, adding, "In space, spatial constraints are paramount, making this structure particularly important."
Professor Lee believes this technology could also be applied in industrial settings. He noted that the origami-based gripper has advantages in grasping objects with irregular shapes. "In logistics, there are various mixed objects, including boxes, fruits, plastic bottles, and rice bags," he said. "Unlike existing robotic grippers, the one we are developing can be used in all situations." He further stated, "Since space technology is developed under the premise that it cannot fail, it can also be utilized in challenging environments on Earth, such as logistics warehouses, farms, and military areas."
As global competition in space intensifies, Professor Lee outlined strategies South Korea should adopt. He pointed out that the United States is expanding its Artemis program by involving more countries and private companies, creating a related ecosystem. In contrast, he noted that China is making overwhelming investments at the national level to develop its capabilities.
He concluded, "We cannot match the scale of the economy or research personnel in all fields like the U.S. and China. However, since space technology can easily transition to military applications, it is crucial for our country to secure independent technologies that can be utilized whenever necessary."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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