• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.479-487
• /
• 2020

A new double-pulse laser system that combines Raman and laser induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) in a single unit is proposed. The study attempts to enhance the laser induced plasma signals while simultaneously extracting the desired molecular signals from Raman spectroscopy. In low pressure conditions such as the lunar atmosphere, the measuring of plasma emission is hard because of the low electron density and short persistence time causing a rapid plasma expansion. Furthermore, in the integration of the detecting system aimed at space exploration, the minimization of laser system is important in terms of the payload mass. Simultaneous molecular and atomic detection that gave highly resolved spectral data at pressure below 0.07 torr is demonstrated amongst eight rock samples test. The plasma stacking produced from the double-pulse laser enhanced the signal intensity of calcium and oxygen lines in calcite matrix by twofold, compared to a conventional LIPS.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.281-298
• /
• 2023

Continuous research efforts are being devoted to unmanned mobile platforms for lunar exploration. There is an ongoing demand for real-time information processing to accurately determine the positioning and mapping of areas of interest on the lunar surface. To apply deep learning processing and analysis techniques to practical rovers, research on software integration and optimization is imperative. In this study, a foundational investigation has been conducted on real-time analysis of virtual lunar base construction site images, aimed at automatically quantifying spatial information of key objects. This study involved transitioning from an existing region-based object recognition algorithm to a boundary box-based algorithm, thus enhancing object recognition accuracy and inference speed. To facilitate extensive data-based object matching training, the Batch Hard Triplet Mining technique was introduced, and research was conducted to optimize both training and inference processes. Furthermore, an improved software system for object recognition and identical object matching was integrated, accompanied by the development of visualization software for the automatic matching of identical objects within input images. Leveraging satellite simulative captured video data for training objects and moving object-captured video data for inference, training and inference for identical object matching were successfully executed. The outcomes of this research suggest the feasibility of implementing 3D spatial information based on continuous-capture video data of mobile platforms and utilizing it for positioning objects within regions of interest. As a result, these findings are expected to contribute to the integration of an automated on-site system for video-based construction monitoring and control of significant target objects within future lunar base construction sites.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.120-128
• /
• 2014

Adventure of human race for space exploration is toward outer region of solar system. Recently the main targets of space explorations are becoming mainly the Mars, Venus and asteroids instead of the Moon which was the popular place human wants to explore. There are several technical challenges as spacecraft goes far and far away from the Earth, and among them communication protocol is one of the most challenging problems. In this paper, several international technical trends regarding deep space communication protocol technologies in an aspect of software implementation is presented. It is expected that these references are helpful for the development of the lunar orbiter pathfinder which is planned to be launched in 2017.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.119-131
• /
• 2018

In spite of a short history of only 30 years in space development, Korea has achieved outstanding space development capabilities, and became the $11^{th}$ member of the "Space Club" in 2013 by launching its own satellites with its own launch vehicle from a local space center. With the successful development and operation of more than 10 earth-orbiting satellites since 1999, Korea is now rapidly expanding its own aspirations to outer space exploration. Unlike earth-orbiting missions, planetary missions are more demanding of well-rounded technological capabilities, specifically trajectory design, analysis, and navigation. Because of the importance of relevant technologies, the Korean astronautical society devoted significant efforts to secure these basic technologies from the early 2000s. This paper revisits the numerous efforts conducted to date, specifically regarding flight dynamics and navigation technology, to prepare for future upcoming planetary missions in Korea. However, sustained efforts are still required to realize such challenging planetary missions, and efforts to date will significantly advance the relevant Korean technological capabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.107-118
• /
• 2017

As the interest in lunar exploration increases, a throttleable engine is regarded as a important technology. Variable area injectors have been identified to be the most reliable throttling method. Pintle injector is a representative injector of the variable method. It has a simple design and inherent combustion stability. Therefore, it is necessary to research the pintle injector. The present study investigates the concept of the injector, the design factors, and the latest development trends for pintle injector design.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.127-139
• /
• 2022

Irregular mare patches (IMPs), recently discovered on the Moon, are eruptions of magma on the lunar surface, and their origins are still in question. While prior studies on IMPs have mainly focused on optical image analysis, in this study, an analysis of the characteristics of minerals is performed exemplary for the first time. Modified Gaussian model (MGM) deconvolution was applied to the infrared spectrum to confirm the properties of the mafic mineral. Mafic minerals were analyzed for 6 olivine-rich (Ol-rich) IMPs out of 91 currently reported, and only 4 of them yielded results of significance. All four sites showed more abundance of Fe than Mg, and manifested a weak relationship with Mg-suite rock. However, a problem was discovered during the MGM application process due to pilot implementation. In order to solve this problem, it is required to adjust the MGM initial condition settings more precisely and to increase the signal to noise ratio of the observation data. Moreover, it is necessary to analyze the mineral properties for all IMPs considering minerals other than Ol and utilize them to deduce the origin of the IMPs.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.145-155
• /
• 2021

In this work, preliminary launch opportunities from NARO Space Center to the Sun-Earth Lagrange point are analyzed. Among five different Sun-Earth Lagrange points, L1 and L2 points are selected as suitable candidates for, respectively, solar and astrophysics missions. With high fidelity dynamics models, the L1 and L2 point targeting problem is formulated regarding the location of NARO Space Center and relevant Target Interface Point (TIP) for each different launch date is derived 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). Potential launch periods to achieve L1 and L2 transfer trajectory are also investigated regarding coasting characteristics from NARO Space Center. The magnitude of the Lagrange Orbit Insertion (LOI) burn, as well as the Orbit Maintenance (OM) maneuver to maintain more than one year of mission orbit around the Lagrange points, is also derived as an example. Even the current work has been made under many assumptions as there are no specific mission goals currently defined yet, so results from the current work could be a good starting point to extend diversities of future Korean deep-space missions.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.59.2-59.2
• /
• 2021

현재 우리나라는 달탐사 개발 사업을 통하여 2022년 8월 발사를 목표로 달 궤도선인 KPLO와 과학임무 및 기술검증 임무를 수행하게 될 임무 탑재체, 임무 수행을 위한 각종 소프트웨어의 개발, 궤도/궤적의 설계 등 일련의 개발 과정을 순조롭게 수행하고 있다. 또한 달 궤도선인 KPLO와 이들 탑재체에 대한 운영과 관제를 수행하는 KPLO 심우주 지상국도 일정에 따라 개발 막바지에 접어들고 있다. 특히 KPLO 심우주 지상국에는 우리나라 대학과 정부출연연구소에 의해서 개발되는 과학탑재체 4기가 달 궤도에서 과학임무를 수행하여 얻게되는 달 탐사 과학자료, 즉, 과학임무자료를 달 탐사에 직접 참여하는 과학자들뿐만 아니라 일반인들도 교육 및 연구에 활용할 수 있도록 달 탐사 과학자료의 저장, 공개, 관리를 위한 Archive system인 KARI Planetary Data System(KPDS)도 함께 개발되고 있다. KPDS는 전문 연구자와 일반인들이 별도의 교육없이 인터넷을 통하여 쉽게 접속하여 KPLO의 과학탑재체가 획득한 달 탐사 과학자료를 검색하여 내려받아 사용할 수 있도록 서비스를 제공할 예정이다. 본 논문에서는 과학탑재체 개발기관 소속의 연구자가 달 탐사 과학자료에 대한 검보정 처리와 과학적 분석을 수행하기 위해서 텔레메트리 형태의 원본형태의 과학자료를 KPDS로부터 다운로드 받는 과정과 검보정 처리가 된 과학자료를 일반 사용자들이 내려 받아 사용할 수 있도록 과학자료가 공개되기까지 일련의 과정을 설명하고, 연구자 및 일반사용자가 직접 접하게 되는 KPDS의 주요한 사용자 환경에 대해서 설명한다.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.86-99
• /
• 2023

The mass spectrometer, being an essential scientific instrument for uncovering the origin of the solar system and life, has been used since the early 1970s on board spacecraft to obtain information of neutral and ionized elements in the atmosphere and surface of the moon, planets, asteroids, and comets. According to the 4th Basic Plan for the Promotion of Space Development (2023-2027), Korea plans to conduct lunar landing in 2032 and Mars landing in 2045 as the core goals of the plan and focuses on developing the technologies required for unmanned robotic exploration missions. In this regard, it is crucial to develop the technology of a mass spectrometer, which is the most fundamental payload for space exploration for maximized scientific achievements, however never tried before in any domestic space missions. We describe in this paper the principle of a domestically developed quadrupole mass spectrometer, its prototype model, and the test results of its performance. We conclude this paper with intended future improvements.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.523-530
• /
• 2017

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) which a plasma is irradiated at a specific wavelength depending on the material when a high-energy laser is irradiated, and a Raman spectroscopy which measures rotation and vibration in molecules as light-scattering phenomenon occurs, are attracting attention as a space exploration technology because of the advantages of high accuracy and real-time analysis, and the ability to perform long-range detection. In this study, the tendency of the laser spectrum according to the change of the soil component was analyzed by laser spectroscopy and the two - dimensional chemical distribution was conducted based on the trend of laser spectrum. We have also established the environment of Mars (4-7 torr) and lunar atmosphere (<1 torr) in experimental setup, to prove that it is possible to measure by difference of soil chemical composition using LIBS and Raman spectroscopy even in artificial space environment.