• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.139-143
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• 2007

Electric propulsion has become a cost effective and sound engineering solution for many space applications. The success of SMART-1 and MUSES-C developed by European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) each proved that even small spacecraft could accomplish planetary mission with electric propulsion systems. A small electric propulsion system which is Hall effect thruster like SMART-1 is under development by SaTReC and GDPL (Glow Discharge Plasma Lab.) in KAIST for the next microsatellite, STSAT-3. To achieve optimized propulsion system, it is very necessary to understand plasma motions of Hall effect thruster. In this paper, we try to approach comprehensive plasma model with the particle simulation complementary to Particle In Cell (PIC) simulation. We think these two different approaches will help experimenters to optimize Hall effect thruster performances.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2022

Laser ablation propulsion(LAP) is the method to create impulse by laser ablation. It can be used to deorbit the space debris(SD), as its long-range property and versatility on any material. In this paper, we find out several requirements of the LAP system(LAPS) to deorbit the SD by simple numerical calculations of the SD orbit and laser beam flux. As a result, minimum operable altitude angle turned out to be a crucial variable to the LAPS. Moreover, if minimum operable altitude angle is 10°, and if the minimum distance between the LAPS and the SD is below 450 km, 1 m/s² is sufficient to deorbit the SD by once. With 18 kJ/3 ns pulsed laser and cube shaped 100 kg SD, 1 m/s² acceleration can be achieved by increasing the pulse repetition rate over 34~53 Hz, depending on the size of the SD. This capability could compare with the conceptual design of the Japan Establishment for a Power-laser Community Harvest(J-EPoCH) facility, which include 8 kJ, 5 PW@100 Hz laser.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.185-188
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• 2009

The rocket motor of the space launch vehicle offers thrust for satellite to enter into the orbit. Characters of the solid propellant for rocket motors are affected by the space conditions such as vacuum and space radiation. The solid propellant used for such a purpose should not undergo physical, internal ballistic and energetic changes when exposed to vacuum and space radiation. This study describes the development of the solid propellant composition for the rocket motor of the space launch vehicle. Also, experimental study was conducted on supersonic diffuser in order to verify the performance of the solid propellant composition which was applied to standard motor on the ground in the vacuum condition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.306-313
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• 2004

The microwave discharge ion engine generates plasmas of both the main ion source and the neutralizer using 4㎓ microwave without discharge electrodes and hollow cathodes, so that long life and durability against oxygen and air are expected. The MUSES-C “HAYABUSA” asteroid explorer installing four microwave discharge ion engines “$\mu$10s” was launched into deep space by M-V rocket No.5 on May 9, 2003. After vacuum exposure and several runs of baking for reduction of residual gas the ion engine system established the continuous acceleration of the spacecraft toward the asteroid “ITOKAWA”. The Doppler shift measurement of the communication microwave revealed the performance of ion engines, which is 8mN thrust force for a single unit with 3,200sec specific impulse at 23mN/㎾ thrust power ratio. At the end of 2003 the accumulated operational time exceeded 8,000 hour and unit. HAYABUSA will execute the Earth swing-by on June 2004 and arrive at the asteroid in 2005 and return to Earth in 2007.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.03b
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• pp.393-396
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• 2008

Propellant consumption control for space launch vehicle can be achieved by propellant utilization system (PUS) and tank depletion system (TDS). In the course of developing new space launch vehicles, the main target of design is on reducing of space launch vehicle weight, which results in increasing both specific impulse and payload weight. The weights of space launch vehicles are generally allocated to structure, propulsion system, and propellants loaded. The quantity of propellants filled in propellant tanks may be estimated with the propellants actually consumed by propulsion system to complete its mission and the propellants left on-board at the time of engine shut-off. To minimize the remaining quantity of propellants on-board the supplying propellants' O/F ratio should be controlled from the certain time before engine shutdown. To control an O/F ratio, a control system, which accurately measures and compares the remainder of propellants in tanks and pipes, should be needed. This paper solely dedicates its contents to explore the merits and demerits of various level sensor, which is one of the important elements for PUS and TDS, and the transmission and control of signals within space launch vehicle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.10-21
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• 2022

The propellant tank, which is a space launch vehicle structure, must have structural integrity as various static and dynamic loads are applied during ground transportation, launch standby, take-off and flight processes. Because of these characteristics, the propellant tank cylinder, the structural object of this study, has a thin thickness, so buckling due to compressive load is considered important in the cylinder design. However, the existing buckling design standards such as NASA and Europe are fairly conservative and do not reflect the latest design and manufacturing technologies. In this study, nonlinear buckling analysis is performed using various analysis models that reflect initial defects, and a method for establishing new buckling design standards for cylinder structures is presented. In conclusion, it was confirmed that an effective lightweight design of the cylinder structure for common bulkhead propulsion tank could be realized.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.468-471
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• 2012

This paper describes a construction scheme of hot backup or triple modular redundancy control system in a ground hot-firing test facility to carry out performance assessment of propulsion system used in a space launch vehicle. It was possible for a hot backup redundancy control system with manual operated console to simulate TMR control system. A console layout of control system in control center to restrict imprudent works of operators was proposed.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.485-497
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• 2017

The pogo phenomenon refers to a type of multidiscipline-related instability found in space launch vehicles. It is caused by coupling between the fuselage structure and other structural propulsion components. To predict the pogo phenomenon, it is essential to undertake adequate structural modeling and to understand the characteristics of the feedlines and the propulsion system. To do this, a modal analysis is conducted using axisymmetric two-dimensional shell elements. The analysis is validated using examples of existing launch vehicles. Other applications and further plans for pogo analyses are suggested. In addition, research on the pogo phenomenon of Saturn V and the space shuttle is conducted in order to constitute a pogo stability analysis using the results of the present modal analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.391-403
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• 2013

Propeller aircraft propelled by an electric propulsion system is gaining a renewed interest because of ever-increasing environmental concern on harmful emissions emitted from conventional jet engines and national energy security. Traditional aircraft sizing methods are not readily applicable to electric propulsion aircraft that utilize a variety of alternative energy sources and power generation systems. This study showcases an electric propulsion aircraft sizing exercise based on a generalized, power based sizing method. A general aviation aircraft is propelled by an electric propulsion system that comprises of a propeller, a high temperature super conducting motor, a Proton Exchange Membrance(PEM) fuel cell system fuelled with hydrogen, and power conditioning equipment. In order to assess the impact of technology progression, aircraft sizing was conducted for two different sets of technology assumptions for electric components, and the results were compared with conventional baseline aircraft.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.21-29
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• 2021

As global environmental regulations have been strengthened, the eco-friendly market has grown rapidly. In the field of aircraft, research on electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft that can enter city centers and perform personal air transportation using electric propulsion is ongoing. For aircraft using electric propulsion methods to operate reliably, electric power thrust systems are a key factor. Electric aircraft require a high power density for propulsion systems with strict limits on volume and weight. The efficient control of inverter systems is essential for achieving high power density. Therefore, in this paper, the characteristics of inverters and motors were analyzed through simulations based on the space vector pulse width modulation (PWM) and discontinuous PWM methods for controlling inverter systems.