In South Korea, researchers are testing equipment such as lunar rovers and resource exploration spectrometers in decommissioned coal mines that simulate extreme space environments. This marks the first step toward successfully developing space resources such as helium-3, rare earth elements, oxygen, and water.
According to the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) on Monday, the institute collaborates with the city of Taebaek and four other government-funded research institutions to establish the Taebaek K-Space Resource Convergence Testbed.
Visitors can observe KIGAM’s exploration equipment demonstrations and facilities simulating space resource development at the former Hamtae Mining Site in Taebaek.
In February, KIGAM signed an MOU with the city of Taebaek to establish the testbed using local abandoned mines. The research institution benefits by securing a large site at a low cost, while the city, which is facing population decline, can attract essential infrastructure.
Technologies to be tested include a lunar surface rover equipped with resource exploration sensors, a multipurpose mining rover, a lunar regolith extraction unit, a cube satellite for lunar orbit exploration, a space radiation detector, a methane conversion system for rocket fuel production, a heat pipe-style reactor, and a wireless energy transmission system for the lunar surface.
One technology attracting significant attention from the global mineral industry is the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS) developed by KIGAM. Laser sensors can analyze more than 50 elements in the soil in real time. This is crucial in identifying promising areas rich in gas or minerals on the Moon and creating resource maps.
This technology will be integrated into the rover developed by global resource exploration company OffWorld. KIGAM aims to collaborate on ground demonstrations supporting NASA’s Artemis program, which plans to conduct a manned lunar exploration mission in 2028.
Observers also saw rovers equipped with drills for extracting deep lunar soil samples and others designed to scrape the surface. Each wheel is powered and features a special suspension system, allowing smooth navigation over the uneven simulated terrain. However, contingency plans for rover tipping are still being developed.
KIGAM also demonstrated its Lunar Regolith Mineral Resource Extractor, which analyzes atoms like hydrogen and oxygen from simulated lunar soil. This equipment uses solar and electron beam energy to heat lunar regolith above 1,500 degrees Celsius, breaking it down at the atomic level – a crucial technology for synthesizing water and oxygen on the Moon.
Unlike Earth, shielded by its atmosphere, the Moon is directly exposed to solar winds, suggesting an abundance of helium-3. This opens up possibilities for future sourcing of nuclear fusion fuel from space.
Additionally, the event showcased a high-density wireless power transmission system developed by the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute. Wireless power delivery is essential for stabilizing dispersed devices like rovers and sensors.
The testbed will be established at the Jangseong Mining Site in Taebaek, formerly South Korea’s largest coal mine. It is expected to serve as a platform for verification and experimentation by various institutions and companies.