• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2008

Since the 1st space race between the United States and Soviet Union during the 1960s, we are competing 2nd space race to occupy the Lunar territory. Since the United States announced to construct the Lunar Base by the end of 2020, ED, Japan, and China launched Lunar explorers successfully. Even India is planning to launch a Lunar explorer in 2008. Korean government also announced that the Korea will launch first Lunar explorer in 2020. In this research Lunar mission trajectory design which will be fundamental data for Lunar mission with variable low thrust and Lunar mission trajectory which has a similar mission specification to SMART-1 are presented.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.203-216
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• 2011

To prepare for a future Korean lunar orbiter mission, semi-optimal lunar capture orbits using finite thrust are designed and analyzed. Finite burn delta-V losses during lunar capture sequence are also analyzed by comparing those with values derived with impulsive thrusts in previous research. To design a hypothetical lunar capture sequence, two different intermediate capture orbits having orbital periods of about 12 hours and 3.5 hours are assumed, and final mission operation orbit around the Moon is assumed to be 100 km altitude with 90 degree of inclination. For the performance of the on-board thruster, three different performances (150 N with $I_{sp}$ of 200 seconds, 300 N with $I_{sp}$ of 250 seconds, 450 N with $I_{sp}$ of 300 seconds) are assumed, to provide a broad range of estimates of delta-V losses. As expected, it is found that the finite burn-arc sweeps almost symmetric orbital portions with respect to the perilune vector to minimize the delta-Vs required to achieve the final orbit. In addition, a difference of up to about 2% delta-V can occur during the lunar capture sequences with the use of assumed engine configurations, compared to scenarios with impulsive thrust. However, these delta-V losses will differ for every assumed lunar explorer's on-board thrust capability. Therefore, at the early stage of mission planning, careful consideration must be made while estimating mission budgets, particularly if the preliminary mission studies were assumed using impulsive thrust. The results provided in this paper are expected to lead to further progress in the design field of Korea's lunar orbiter mission, particularly the lunar capture sequences using finite thrust.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.357-367
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• 2008

Preparing for future Korean Lunar missions, preliminary Lunar mission design software is developed using a impulsive thrusting method. Developed software is capable of design and analysis every required mission phases to design Lunar mission, including the Earth departure, Lunar transfer, Lunar arrival and mission operation phases. Also, assuming that KSLV-II is selected as a launch vehicle, future Korean Lunar explorer's mass budget is estimated based on driven optimal trajectory characteristics. Tracking analysis is also performed using Deep Space Network including angle geometry analysis between Earth - Moon - Lunar explorer - Sun which are very important for communication, solar panel pointing strategy and eclipse analysis when Lunar missions are under designing phase.

• Current Industrial and Technological Trends in Aerospace
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2008

In this paper, the technical trends of the lunar exploration were studied by investigating the objectives of the mission of the recent lunar orbiters. The payloads of the lunar orbiter launched and planned since 1990 are rearranged and analyzed according to the objectives of the mission and the performance. In the future, it will be used to define the objectives of the mission and to make a plan for developing the payloads of the domestic lunar orbiter.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2019

This paper analyzes delta-Vs to maintain an extremely low altitude on the Moon and investigates the possibilities of performing a CubeSat mission. To formulate the station-keeping (SK) problem at an extremely low altitude, current work has utilized real-flight performance proven software, the Systems Tool Kit Astrogator by Analytical Graphics Inc. With a high-fidelity force model, properties of SK maneuver delta-Vs to maintain an extremely low altitude are successfully derived with respect to different sets of reference orbits; of different altitudes as well as deadband limits. The effect of the degree and order selection of lunar gravitational harmonics on the overall SK maneuver strategy is also analyzed. Based on the derived SK maneuver delta-V costs, the possibilities of performing a CubeSat mission are analyzed with the expected mission lifetime by applying the current flight-proven miniaturized propulsion system performances. Moreover, the lunar surface coverage as well as the orbital characteristics of a candidate reference orbit are discussed. As a result, it is concluded that an approximately 15-kg class CubeSat could maintain an orbit (30-50 km reference altitude having ${\pm}10km$ deadband limits) around the Moon for 1-6 months and provide almost full coverage of the lunar surface.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2017

The current study designs the mission orbit of the lunar CubeSat spacecraft to measure the lunar local magnetic anomaly. To perform this mission, the CubeSat will impact the lunar surface over the Reiner Gamma swirl on the Moon. Orbit analyses are conducted comprising ${\Delta}V$ and error propagation analysis for the CubeSat mission orbit. First, three possible orbit scenarios are presented in terms of the CubeSat's impacting trajectories. For each scenario, it is important to achieve mission objectives with a minimum ${\Delta}V$ since the CubeSat is limited in size and cost. Therefore, the ${\Delta}V$ needed for the CubeSat to maneuver from the initial orbit toward the impacting trajectory is analyzed for each orbit scenario. In addition, error propagation analysis is performed for each scenario to evaluate how initial errors, such as position error, velocity error, and maneuver error, that occur when the CubeSat is separated from the lunar orbiter, eventually affect the final impact position. As a result, the current study adopts a CubeSat release from the circular orbit at 100 km altitude and an impact slope of $15^{\circ}$, among the possible impacting scenarios. For this scenario, the required ${\Delta}V$ is calculated as the result of the ${\Delta}V$ analysis. It can be used to practically make an estimate of this specific mission's fuel budget. In addition, the current study suggests error constraints for ${\Delta}V$ for the mission.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.108-116
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• 2009

This paper considers the trajectory design problem for a lunar orbiter when launched by KSLV-II. KSLV-II puts its kick motor stage and lunar orbiter into a low earth orbit, and then the kick motor stage performed the translunar injection. To simulate more realistic situations, TLI (Trans-Lunar Injection) and LOI (Lunar Orbit Injection) maneuvers are modeled as finite burns. The feasibility of the lunar mission by KSLV-II are confirmed by the numerical results that show the reasonable required-velocity and propellant usage.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.257-268
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• 2015

Characteristics of delta-V requirements for deploying an impactor from a mother-ship at different orbital altitudes are analyzed in order to prepare for a future lunar CubeSat impactor mission. A mother-ship is assumed to be orbiting the moon with a circular orbit at a 90 deg inclination and having 50, 100, 150, 200 km altitudes. Critical design parameters that are directly related to the success of the impactor mission are also analyzed including deploy directions, CubeSat flight time, impact velocity, and associated impact angles. Based on derived delta-V requirements, required thruster burn time and fuel mass are analyzed by adapting four different miniaturized commercial onboard thrusters currently developed for CubeSat applications. As a result, CubeSat impact trajectories as well as thruster burn characteristics deployed at different orbital altitudes are found to satisfy the mission objectives. It is concluded that thrust burn time should considered as the more critical design parameter than the required fuel mass when deducing the onboard propulsion system requirements. Results provided through this work will be helpful in further detailed system definition and design activities for future lunar missions with a CubeSat-based payload.

• Current Industrial and Technological Trends in Aerospace
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.62-76
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• 2010

In this paper, recent researches about the unmanned lunar lander development are studied. Objectives of this study are to derive research trends and to identify key design activities especially in early design phase of unmanned lunar lander. Case study covers SELENE-2 of Japan, LEDA and MoonNEXT of ESA, and small and modular spacecraft approach of NASA. Lunar lander concepts proposed for the International Lunar Network Anchor Nodes are also studied. For each lunar lander program, mission requirements are summarized and mission design results are reviewed. Approaches of safe lunar landing including design of navigation, guidance and control, combination of sensors, derived sensor and propulsion performance requirements are also analyzed.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2023

On Aug. 4, 2022, at 23:08:48 (UTC), the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), also known as Danuri, was launched using a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Currently, KPLO is successfully conducting its science mission around the Moon. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Deep Space Network (DSN) was utilized for the successful flight operation of KPLO. A great deal of joint effort was made between the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and NASA DSN team since the beginning of KPLO ground system design for the success of the mission. The efficient utilization and management of NASA DSN in deep space exploration are critical not only for the spacecraft's telemetry and command but also for tracking the flight dynamics (FD) operation. In this work, the top-level DSN interface architecture, detailed workflows, DSN support levels, and practical lessons learned from the joint team's efforts are presented for KPLO's successful FD operation. Due to the significant joint team's efforts, KPLO is currently performing its mission smoothly in the lunar mission orbit. Through KPLO cooperative operation experience with DSN, a more reliable and efficient partnership is expected not only for Korea's own deep space exploration mission but also for the KARI-NASA DSN joint support on other deep space missions in the future.