Seoul, South Korea – In a significant advancement for solar research, a solar coronagraph jointly developed by South Korea and the United States has been successfully installed on the International Space Station (ISS). This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance our understanding of the sun and its outer atmosphere, known as the corona. The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced the successful installation on Wednesday, confirming that the Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX) is now operational on the ISS’s external platform. Following the installation, CODEX received power and established communication with ground control, marking the beginning of its mission to observe solar phenomena. KASA reports that CODEX is the world’s first coronagraph capable of measuring not only the density of the solar wind but also its temperature and velocity.
This innovative technology is expected to aid researchers in predicting space weather and improving our comprehension of the solar wind's dynamics over the next two years, following a one-month test period set to commence next year. In addition to the solar mission, KASA has entered into another collaboration with NASA to support the Moon exploration Artemis programme. The partnership aims to conduct extensive research projects focused on sustainable lunar exploration and future missions to Mars. Officials indicate that the agreement will facilitate feasibility studies on lunar landers, space communications, navigation, and life sciences for astronauts in space. The collaboration also encompasses a wide array of scientific initiatives, including lunar surface science, autonomous power systems, robotics, mobility systems, and activities within the cis-lunar space the area between the Earth and the Moon.
Notably, South Korea is among the 47 nations that have signed the Artemis Accords, a U.S.-led international agreement promoting cooperative lunar exploration. As part of this extensive partnership, KASA and NASA have signed a separate agreement to jointly develop a mission concept for operations at the Lagrange point L4, a unique position in space where the gravitational forces of the sun and Earth are balanced. This innovative research will pave the way for significant advancements in space exploration and technology. The successful installation of CODEX at the ISS represents a new frontier in solar research and highlights the growing cooperation between South Korea and the United States in the field of space exploration.