• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2021

The exploration of the solar system is carried out through various payloads, and accordingly, many research results are emerging. We tried to apply deep-learning as a method of studying the bodies of solar system. Unlike Earth observation satellite data, the data of solar system differ greatly from celestial bodies to probes and to payloads of each probe. Therefore, it may be difficult to apply it to various data with the deep-learning model, but we expect that it will be able to reduce human errors or compensate for missing parts. We have implemented a model that detects craters on the lunar surface. A model was created using the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) image and the provided shapefile as input values, and applied to the lunar surface image. Although the result was not satisfactory, it will be applied to the image of the permanently shadow regions of the Moon, which is finally acquired by ShadowCam through image pre-processing and model modification. In addition, by attempting to apply it to Ceres and Mercury, which have similar the lunar surface, it is intended to suggest that deep-learning is another method for the study of the solar system.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.867-875
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• 2022

The preliminary mission analysis of a lunar lander, which is mounted on the upper stage of a Korean space launch vehicle, is performed when landing on the moon through a trans-lunar injection maneuver after being injected into the earth's low orbit by th launcher in this paper. Both direct landing and orbital landing methods, which have each advantage and disadvantages, are applied and their transfer orbit characteristics are analyzed according to the launch date when launching in lunar October 2030. We also analyzed the launch dates which satisfying eclipse conditions, solar elevation conditions, and tracking time intervals such as the US lunar lander Surveyor-1. The obtained results show that the most appropriate launch date is the 4th day of lunar October in case of direct landing method, and the 3rd day in case of indirect landing method, since the argument of perigee of the trans-lunar injection orbit and eclipse conditions are favorable in the dates.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2010

This paper designs a data link between a Lunar Orbiter (LO) and an Earth Station (ES), and analyzes the downlink performance of a space communications system for lunar exploration, conforming to the recommendations by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS). The results provided in the paper can be useful references for the design of reliable communication link for the Korean lunar exploration in the near future.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.37.4-38
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• 2008

Recently, statement of Intent for ILN has been signed by 9 countries including Korea, initiated March of this year by NASA which invited countries having lunar exploration plans. Concept of ILN is placing several core set of instrumentation on the Moon, in order to maximize scientific return to all of the participants. Network measurements from various nodes on lunar surface is essential for understanding internal structure of the Moon and environment around the Moon. Currently, Core Instrument Working Group is discussing the scientific interests and instrumentation among participated countries. Korea also is looking over various ways to participate ILN. We will introduce the progress and possible lunar science of ILN and will discuss the science mission objectives.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.90.2-90.2
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• 2010

Lunar sodium observations are being prepared by a group of WCU scientists at the Kyung-Hee Observatory. We have been working on 3-D Monte Carlo simulations of the lunar sodium exosphere since 2009, and we need to obtain additional sodium images in order to constrain our models. Using a newly-designed simple coronagraph which is optimized for lunar observations, we plan to make direct sodium image observations. We present the structure of the planned coronagraph, optical-image observation plans, and spectroscopic observation plans of the lunar tail. We will also present updated results from the 3-D Monte Carlo simulations.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.102-109
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• 2015

In Korea, Lunar exploration program has been prepared with the aim of launching in the 2020's. As a part of it, a lunar lander demonstrator was developed, which was the model for verifying the system such as structure, propulsion, and control system, before launching into the deep space. This paper deals with the path tracking performance of the lunar lander demonstrator with respect to the thruster controller based on Pulse Width Pulse Frequency Modulator (PWPFM) and Pulse Width Modulator (PWM). First, we derived equations of motion, considering the allocation of the thrusters, and designed the path tracking controller based on Euler angle. The signal generated from the path tracking controller is continuous, so PWPFM and PWM modulator are adopted for generating ON/OFF signal. Finally, MATLAB simulation is performed for evaluating the path tracking ability. We compared the path tracking performances of PWPFM and PWM based thrust controller, using performance measures such as the total impulse and the position error with respect to the desired path.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

For Korean first lunar exploration program, KARI(Korea Aerospace Research Institute) has been researching in various fields and investigating cases of abroad lunar exploration spacecrafts. In the field of the flight software, KARI has been analysing some cases such as NASA LRO, and this paper describes the result of the case study on LRO flight software.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.6-16
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• 2010

After the first successful Apollo program, many countries around the world launched their own programs for exploring the moon. This paper surveys various navigation and attitude control systems of several past lunar exploration programs for the purpose of preparing a program for the first Korean lunar probe. For this first we investigate successful programs by introducing the sensors and actuators used for these programs, particularly focusing on those of Clementine and SMART-1 of USA and EU, respectively. Then based on the study, we suggest the necessary components of navigation and attitude control systems suitable for our lunar probe program.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.293-306
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• 2019

In this study, the observational arc-length effect on orbit determination (OD) for the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) in the Earth-Moon Transfer phase was investigated. For the OD, we employed a sequential estimation using the extended Kalman filter and a fixed-point smoother. The mission periods, comprised between the perigee maneuvers (PM) and the lunar orbit insertion (LOI) maneuver in a 3.5 phasing loop of the KPLO, was the primary target. The total period was divided into three phases: launch-PM1, PM1-PM3, and PM3-LOI. The Doppler and range data obtained from three tracking stations [included in the deep space network (DSN) and Korea Deep Space Antenna (KDSA)] were utilized for the OD. Six arc-length cases (24 hrs, 48 hrs, 60 hrs, 3 days, 4 days, and 5 days) were considered for the arc-length effect investigation. In order to evaluate the OD accuracy, we analyzed the position uncertainties, the precision of orbit overlaps, and the position differences between true and estimated trajectories. The maximum performance of 3-day OD approach was observed in the case of stable flight dynamics operations and robust navigation capability. This study provides a guideline for the flight dynamics operations of the KPLO in the trans-lunar phase.

• Journal of Satellite, Information and Communications
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

In recent space industry, It has become a major trend to launch lunar exploration satellites to extend activities in the deep space environment. In this paper, a link budget analysis is carried out for the lunar exploration satellite. One of the major difference between the lunar satellite and LEO spacecraft lies in the orbit parameters. The vast distance between spacecraft and the Earth station imposes a challenging task for the spacecraft designers in terms of achieving stable communication link budget. The satellite tool kit software has been adopted to simulate the lunar exploring satellite. The relative distance between the spacecraft and the ground stations are tracked and the communication link budget is calculated accordingly.