• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2015

In this work, an efficient method with which to evaluate the high-degree-and-order gravitational harmonics of the non-sphericity of a central body is described and applied to state predictions of a lunar orbiter. Unlike the work of Song et al. (2010), which used a conventional computation method to process gravitational harmonic coefficients, the current work adapted a well-known recursion formula that directly uses fully normalized associated Legendre functions to compute the acceleration due to the non-sphericity of the moon. With the formulated algorithms, the states of a lunar orbiting satellite are predicted and its performance is validated in comparisons with solutions obtained from STK/Astrogator. The predicted differences in the orbital states between STK/Astrogator and the current work all remain at a position of less than 1 m with velocity accuracy levels of less than 1 mm/s, even with different orbital inclinations. The effectiveness of the current algorithm, in terms of both the computation time and the degree of accuracy degradation, is also shown in comparisons with results obtained from earlier work. It is expected that the proposed algorithm can be used as a foundation for the development of an operational flight dynamics subsystem for future lunar exploration missions by Korea. It can also be used to analyze missions which require very close operations to the moon.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.54-61
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• 2004

In this paper we carried out a design study for an unmanned Mars missionsuitable for Republic of Korea. The mission will use a KSLV series launch system,which is to place a one tonne payload into the LEO. We calculated the velocityincrements(AV) required for departure from Earth and insertion into the orbitaround Mars based on the mission opportunity data provided by NASA. Two typesof Mars modules - entry type and orbiter type - were considered in this studyWe calculated the mass of TPS(therma1 protection system) for the entry tvpe Marsmodule based on the heat transfer rate and heat load from the Mars atmosphere tothe surface of the TPS. The heat transfer rate and heat load were obtained throughan entry trajectory calculation. For the orbiter type Mars module, we calcuIated themass breakdown of the additional spacecraft which is to insert the Mars moduleinto the orbit around Mars. Other mass items were determined by proportioningfrom the existing Mars modules. This paper finally proposes the payload capacitiesfor each types of Mars modules.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2019

In this study, a comparison was conducted to verify the propellant isolation assembly of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO). An engineering validation model (EVM) is being developed to simulate the flow of the flight model. Three factors were selected for comparison: the total pressure drop during propellant isolation assembly, the waterhammer by driving thruster valve, and the orifice set up for flow control and damping the waterhammer. The analysis results are compared with EVM test results. In the future, backup data to confirm the design will be established.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.295-308
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• 2018

In this study, orbit determination (OD) simulation for the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) was accomplished for investigation of the observational arc-length effect using a sequential estimation algorithm. A lunar polar orbit located at 100 km altitude and $90^{\circ}$ inclination was mainly considered for the KPLO mission operation phase. For measurement simulation and OD for KPLO, the Analytical Graphics Inc. Systems Tool Kit 11 and Orbit Determination Tool Kit 6 software were utilized. Three deep-space ground stations, including two deep space network (DSN) antennas and the Korea Deep Space Antenna, were configured for the OD simulation. To investigate the arc-length effect on OD, 60-hr, 48-hr, 24-hr, and 12-hr tracking data were prepared. Position uncertainty by error covariance and orbit overlap precision were used for OD performance evaluation. Additionally, orbit prediction (OP) accuracy was also assessed by the position difference between the estimated and true orbits. Finally, we concluded that the 48-hr-based OD strategy is suitable for effective flight dynamics operation of KPLO. This work suggests a useful guideline for the OD strategy of KPLO mission planning and operation during the nominal lunar orbits phase.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.131-148
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• 2023

Lunar permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) never see direct sunlight and are illuminated only by secondary illumination - light reflected from nearby topography. The ShadowCam imaging experiment onboard the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter is acquiring images of these PSRs. We characterize and discuss the nature of secondary illumination for the Shackleton PSR from ShadowCam radiance-calibrated images. We also use modeling to understand the magnitude and direction of the secondary illumination. Results from our analysis highlight the non-homogeneous, dynamic, and complex nature of PSR secondary lighting. Knowledge of the direction of the secondary illumination is crucial for reli-able interpretation of contrasts observed in ShadowCam images. This preliminary analysis of the floor of Shackleton crater from images acquired over multiple secondary illumination conditions does not reveal indications of exposed surface ice, even though temperatures are constantly below 110K.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.373-384
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• 2023

Initiated as Korea's inaugural space exploration endeavor, the lunar exploration development project has resulted not only the Danuri lunar orbiter but also payloads designed to achieve mission objectives and the associated Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) Deep-space Ground System for the operation and control of the Danuri. Scientific data gathered by four scientific payloads, developed by domestic institutions and installed on board the Danuri, will be publicly available starting January 2024. To facilitate this, the first-ever Korean space exploration scientific data management and public release system, KARI Planetary Data System (KPDS), has been developed. This paper provides details on the configuration and functions of the established KPDS website.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.746-756
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• 2017

An algorithm is developed to generate measurement data of deep space network for Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) mission. The algorithm can provide corrected measurement data for the Orbit Determination (OD) module in deep space. This study describes how to generate the computed data such as range, Doppler, azimuth angle and elevation angle. The geometric data were obtained by General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) simulation and the corrected data were calculated with measurement models. Therefore, the result of total delay includes effects of tropospheric delay, ionospheric delay, charged particle delay, antenna offset delay, and tropospheric refraction delay. The computed measurement data were validated by comparison with the results from Orbit Determination ToolBoX (ODTBX).

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.43-60
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• 2024

Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) is South Korea's first space exploration mission, developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. It aims to develop technologies for lunar exploration, explore lunar science, and test new technologies. KPLO was launched on August 5, 2022, by a Falcon-9 launch vehicle from cape canaveral space force station (CCSFS) in the United States and placed on a ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) trajectory. A total of four trajectory correction maneuvers were performed during the approximately 4.5-month trans-lunar cruise phase to reach the Moon. Starting with the first lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver on December 16, the spacecraft performed a total of three maneuvers before arriving at the lunar mission orbit, at an altitude of 100 kilometers, on December 27, 2022. After entering lunar orbit, the commissioning phase validated the operation of the mission mode, in which the payload is oriented toward the center of the Moon. After completing about one month of commissioning, normal mission operations began, and each payload successfully performed its planned mission. All of the spacecraft operations that KPLO performs from launch to normal operations were designed through the system operations design process. This includes operations that are automatically initiated post-separation from the launch vehicle, as well as those in lunar transfer orbit and lunar mission orbit. Key operational procedures such as the spacecraft's initial checkout, trajectory correction maneuvers, LOI, and commissioning were developed during the early operation preparation phase. These procedures were executed effectively during both the early and normal operation phases. The successful execution of these operations confirms the robust verification of the system operation.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 1984

The design of the reusable thermal protection system for the space shuttle orbiter using silica tile played one of key roles in the successful flight of the Columbia and subsequent space shuttles. The basic design goals for this thermal protection system were identified. Manufacturing procedures for the silica tile and the structure of the tile system were also described.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2011

As part of its space development program, Korea has a plan for the launch of a lunar orbiter and a lunar lander. To enable the transmission of lunar information based on multimedia, it is necessary to construct a communication system that is capable of transmitting large-volume telemetry data. The CCSDS standard recommends the deferred NAK mode as ARQ scheme for reliable long-distance deep-space communication systems. In this paper, we implement a space communication system simulator in the deferred NAK mode using models of the lunar orbiter, the earth station, and the space environment. The simulator employs modulation techniques and turbo coding schemes for transmitting large-volume telemetry data. We analyze the transmission performance of telemetry data through the simulation.