Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences

The Korean Space Science Society (한국우주과학회)
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Post Trajectory Insertion Performance Analysis of Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter Using SpaceX Falcon 9

  • Young-Joo Song (Satellite Research Directorate, Korea Aerospace Research Institute) ;
  • Jonghee Bae (Satellite Research Directorate, Korea Aerospace Research Institute) ;
  • SeungBum Hong (Satellite Research Directorate, Korea Aerospace Research Institute) ;
  • Jun Bang (Satellite Research Directorate, Korea Aerospace Research Institute) ;
  • Donghun Lee (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University)
  • Received : 2023.07.05
  • Accepted : 2023.08.31
  • Published : 2023.09.15
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Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), the first lunar exploration spacecraft of the Republic of Korea. The successful launch conducted on August 4, 2022 (UTC), utilized the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall mission success by directly influencing the spacecraft's onboard fuel consumption. Following separation from the launch vehicle (LV), a comprehensive analysis of the trajectory insertion performance was performed by the KPLO flight dynamics (FD) team. Both orbit parameter message (OPM) and orbit determination (OD) solutions were employed using deep space network (DSN) tracking measurements. As a result, the KPLO was accurately inserted into the ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) trajectory, satisfying all separation requirements at the target interface point (TIP), including launch injection energy per unit mass (C3), right ascension of the injection orbit apoapsis vector (RAV), and declination of the injection orbit apoapsis vector (DAV). The precise BLT trajectory insertion facilitated the smoother operation of the KPLO's remainder mission phase and enabled the utilization of reserved fuel, consequently significantly enhancing the possibilities of an extended mission.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) through project No. FR23L01. Young-Joo Song led the overall KPLO flight dynamics operations and manuscript writing. Jonghee Bae made significant contributions to the OD processing during the KPLO launch and early operations phase (LEOP). The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the space exploration engineering (SEE) team, especially Craig Nickel, Tiffany Finley, Stephen West, Lisa Policastri, John Carrico, and Mike Loucks, for their invaluable real-time operational support. Lastly, this paper is dedicated to the memory of the Late Dr. Young-Rok Kim, a dear friend and colleague, who devoted himself to the field of KPLO flight dynamics. His absences will undoubtedly be felt as we continue our KPLO flight operations.

References

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