Korean CubeSat on NASA Lunar Probe to Moon

Domestic startup Narra Space Technology has set a new milestone in the space industry by participating as a key partner in the historic journey announcing humanity's return to the Moon, NASA's 'Artemis II' crewed lunar exploration mission. The launch of the CubeSat 'K-RadCube,' in whose development Narra Space played a crucial role, on Artemis II is expected to be recorded as the first achievement of a domestic company sending a satellite aboard NASA's crewed lunar explorer. Under the supervision of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Narra Space is taking on a pivotal role in the mission's success, being responsible for the overall process of K-RadCube, from main body manufacturing to space environment testing, launch preparation, and operation. The 12U-sized small satellite K-RadCube aims to launch in April 2025 and will precisely observe the space radiation environment in Earth's high orbit. This mission will be equipped with a scientific payload for radiation measurement developed by KASI and requires highly advanced technology to precisely control the satellite using only ground station radio waves in a high-orbit environment where GPS use is limited. It also includes technical challenges such as maintaining an altitude of over 200km during Earth close approaches through orbit control within 14 hours after launch. As it will be carried on a crewed exploration mission, it had to meet all of NASA's stringent risk and destruction control standards. Narra Space demonstrated its outstanding technical capabilities and safety management prowess by even passing NASA's battery safety standard (JSC 20793), which includes thermal runaway tests not required for general CubeSats. Narra Space's Director of Technology, Lee Seong-hwan, emphasized the technical importance and symbolic nature of this mission, not only its historical significance as the first crewed lunar exploration in over 50 years since Apollo 17 in 1972 but also the necessity to satisfy the highest safety standards in the extreme space environment dense with high-energy particles. Established in 2015, Narra Space is a company that provides comprehensive solutions encompassing small satellite manufacturing, operation, and data analysis, and has successfully supported key satellite missions for major domestic space organizations such as the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). In November 2023, it demonstrated its capabilities by independently developing and successfully operating 'Observer 1A,' Korea's first commercial small Earth observation satellite. Based on this proven technological capability, Narra Space passed the technical evaluation for a KOSDAQ technology special listing last March and is accelerating its preparations for listing, targeting an initial public offering (IPO) in the second half of this year. Narra Space is expected to further solidify its position in the global space industry through its participation in this NASA mission.