KASA Attends Space Resources Week to Discuss Cooperation on Lunar Economy
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), led by Administrator Yoon Youngbin, announced that John Lee, Vice Administrator of the Mission Directorates, attends Space Resources Week* 2025, held in Luxembourg from May 19, Monday. During the event, Vice Administrator Lee held bilateral meetings with H.E. Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy of Luxembourg, and Dr. Marc Serres, CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency, to discuss cooperation in space and lunar resource exploration.
* Space Resources Week is a leading international event held annually in Luxembourg, bringing together experts to discuss key topics such as space resource technologies, international law, and strategies for exploration and utilization.
This meeting is a follow-up to the discussions held in July 2024 in Seoul between KASA Administrator Yoon and the Luxembourg Minister for Digitalization. At that time, both sides agreed to expand collaboration in space resource exploration, satellite development and utilization, and to promote exchange between space industries and the creation of new market opportunities.
Vice Administrator Lee and the Luxembourg counterparts explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in lunar and space exploration, and shared policy directions on space economy initiatives pursued by both countries.
As part of the Space Resources Week, Vice Administrator Lee delivered a presentation titled “Korea’s Space Policy of Korea and Lunar Resources”, including the 2032 Lunar Lander Mission, and participated in a panel discussion on “Future Directions for Space Resources and Short-Term Goals for ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization**)”, engaging in meaningful dialogue on international collaboration and the future of lunar resource development.
** ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization): A technology that enables the use of local resources on celestial bodies (such as the Moon or Mars) during space exploration to produce necessary materials.
In addition, KASA is using this occasion to consult with international partners on potential cooperation regarding Korea’s plans to utilize lunar resources as part of the 2032 lunar landing mission. Vice Administrator Lee will also visit the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) to observe Luxembourg’s startup incubation programs and examine how these initiatives are contributing to the growth of the global space economy.
“Luxembourg is a leading country in the space economy, with national policies that foster the growth of startups based on space resource utilization,” said Vice Administrator Lee. “KASA will expand international cooperation and industrial participation to pave the way for Korea’s own space economy through active engagement in space resource utilization.”