• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2015

Atmospheric drag force is an important source of perturbation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) orbit satellites, and solar activity is a major factor for changes in atmospheric density. In particular, the orbital lifetime of a satellite varies with changes in solar activity, so care must be taken in predicting the remaining orbital lifetime during preparation for post-mission disposal. In this paper, the System Tool Kit (STK$^{(R)}$) Long-term Orbit Propagator is used to analyze the changes in orbital lifetime predictions with respect to solar activity. In addition, the STK$^{(R)}$ Lifetime tool is used to analyze the change in orbital lifetime with respect to solar flux data generation, which is needed for the orbital lifetime calculation, and its control on the drag coefficient control. Analysis showed that the application of the most recent solar flux file within the Lifetime tool gives a predicted trend that is closest to the actual orbit. We also examine the effect of the drag coefficient, by performing a comparative analysis between varying and constant coefficients in terms of solar activity intensities.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2006

Atmospheric drag is the most significant factor effecting the low Earth satellites under the altitude of 800 km Although the atmospheric density of the low Earth orbit is very low compared to that of the sea level, the accumulated effect of the atmospheric drag slowly lowers the satellite velocity at the perigee. Decrease in velocity at perigee directly causes decrease in altitude at apogee which changes the eccentricity of the orbit. The orbit finally reaches a circular orbit before reentering the Earth. This paper states the methods of calculating the atmospheric drag and the lifetime of the satellite. The lifetime of the kick motor and the satellites which will be used on KSLV-L are calculated by Satellite Tool Kit.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2010

To prepare for a Korean lunar orbiter mission, a precise lunar orbit propagator; Yonsei precise lunar orbit propagator (YSPLOP) is developed. In the propagator, accelerations due to the Moon's non-spherical gravity, the point masses of the Earth, Moon, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and also, solar radiation pressures can be included. The developed propagator's performance is validated and propagation errors between YSPOLP and STK/Astrogator are found to have about maximum 4-m, in along-track direction during 30 days (Earth's time) of propagation. Also, it is found that the lifetime of a lunar polar orbiter is strongly affected by the different degrees and orders of the lunar gravity model, by a third body's gravitational attractions (especially the Earth), and by the different orbital inclinations. The reliable lifetime of circular lunar polar orbiter at about 100 km altitude is estimated to have about 160 days (Earth's time). However, to estimate the reasonable lifetime of circular lunar polar orbiter at about 100 km altitude, it is strongly recommended to consider at least $50\;{\times}\;50$ degrees and orders of the lunar gravity field. The results provided in this paper are expected to make further progress in the design fields of Korea's lunar orbiter missions.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.914-924
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• 2010

In this paper, results on the orbit analysis for the KOMPSAT-2 satellite using a real orbit data during the LEOP and normal mission lifetime are presented. In particular, the preparation and performance of an orbit operations during the LEOP is emphasized and the effects of space environments (i.e., Solar activity) on orbit evolutions are investigated comparing to those of the KOMPSAT-1 satellite. The summarized results in this paper would be an important reference to improve the stability and effectiveness of satellite operations during the LEOP and normal mission lifetime in case of LEO satellites such as successors of KOMPSAT-2 (i.e., KOMPSAT-3, KOMPSAT-3A, KOMPSAT-5).

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.249-256
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• 2000

It has been developed to calculate fuel budget for a geostationary communication and broadcasting satellite. It is quite essential that the pre-launch fuel budget estimation must account for the deterministic transfer and drift orbit maneuver requirements. After on-station, the calculation of satellite lifetime should be based on the estimation of remaining fuel and assessment of actual performance. These estimations step from the proper algorithms to produce the prediction of satellite lifetime. This paper concentrates on the fuel estimation method that was studied for calculation of the propellant budget by using the given algorithms. Applications of this method are discussed for a communication and broadcasting satellite.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.511-518
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• 2008

The Engineering Test Satellite VIII(ETS-VIII) of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA) uses a 20mN class xenon ion engine subsystem(IES) for North-South Station Keeping(NSSK). The IES was modified for a larger satellite with longer lifetime based on the former IES. ETS-VIII, a three-ton class geosynchronous satellite with 10 years bus lifetime, was launched 18 Dec. 2006 JST; it reached the planned orbit and all bus systems were checked out. The IES showed good results and is now under normal operation. The total accumulated operation time of the IES in orbit was about 2300 hours till $19^{th}$ Dec. 2007.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2020

The start of satellite thermal design was to predict the worst operating environment through analysis of the thermal environment of the operation orbit. Because the satellites have different types of operating trajectories for their mission, the exposed thermal environment also varies. Thus, it is necessary to analyze in consideration of the orbital conditions, and a design was performed to guarantee thermal stability for the worst case defined through the analysis. The orbital thermal environmental analysis required an understanding of the basic orbit mechanics and the heat exchange relationship between the space environment and satellite. The purpose of this paper was to provide an understanding of the orbital thermal environment analysis by providing basic data on the space thermal environment in the earth-orbit and describing thermal relations that calculate the amount of space heat inflow into satellites. Additionally, an example of a virtual satellite shows the overall process of analyzing the orbital thermal environment during a mission lifetime.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.41-44
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• 2007

Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has jointly developed a bipropellant propulsion system for Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) with EADS Astrium in UK. The technology relevant to a bipropellant propulsion system is quite new one in Korea, which is transferred for the first time, with development of COMS propulsion system. It hasn't ever attempted before, and hasn't got any general idea itself as well, in Korea. The COMS Chemical Propulsion System (CPS) is designed to perform both the orbital injection function, to take the spacecraft from transfer orbit to Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), and all on-station propulsive functions throughout the lifetime of the satellite. All station keeping manoeuvres are performed using the CPS. The design, manufacture and testing of COMS CPS are addressed in this paper. Feasibility of COMS CPS applicable to the other advanced mission is investigated as well.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.616-621
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• 2014

Consumption of the fuel on the satellite operating in low earth orbit, is increased due to the air resistance and the amount of increase makes the satellite lifetime decrease or the satellite mass risen. Therefore the prediction of drag force of the satellite is important. In the paper, drag force and drag coefficient analysis of the parabolic antenna satellite in low earth orbit using direct simulation monte carlo method (DSMC) is conducted according to the mission altitude and angle of attack. To verify the DSMC simulated rarefied air movement, Starshine satellite drag coefficient according to the altitude and gas-surface interaction are compared with the flight data. Finally, from the analysis results, it leads to appropriate satellite drag coefficient for orbit lifetime calculation.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2001

The ocean Scanning Multi-spectral Imager (OSMI) is a payload on the KOrea Multi-Purpose SATellite (KOMPSAT) to perform worldwide ocean color monitoring f the study of biological oceanography. OSMI performs solar and dark calibrations for on-orbit instrument calibration. The purpose of the solar calibration is to monitor the degradation of imaging performance for each pixel of 6 spectral bands and to correct the degradation effect on OSMI image during the ground station date processing. The design, the operation concept, and the radiometric characteristics of the solar calibration are investigated. A linear model of image response and a solar calibration radiance model are proposed to study the instrument characteristics using the solar calibration data. The performance of spectral responsivity and spatial response uniformity. The first solar calibration data and the analysis results are important references for further study on the on-orbit stability of OSMI response during its lifetime.