• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2018

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) has been developing the space optical and laser tracking (SOLT) system for space geodesy, space situational awareness, and Korean space missions. The SOLT system comprises satellite laser ranging (SLR), adaptive optics (AO), and debris laser tracking (DLT) systems, which share numerous subsystems, such as an optical telescope and tracking mount. It is designed to be capable of laser ranging up to geosynchronous Earth orbit satellites with a laser retro-reflector array, space objects imaging brighter than magnitude 10, and laser tracking low Earth orbit space debris of uncooperative targets. For the realization of multiple functions in a novel configuration, the SOLT system employs a switching mirror that is installed inside the telescope pedestal and feeds the beam path to each system. The SLR and AO systems have already been established at the Geochang station, whereas the DLT system is currently under development and the AO system is being prepared for testing. In this study, the design and development of the SOLT system are addressed and the SLR data quality is evaluated compared to the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) tracking stations in terms of single-shot ranging precision. The analysis results indicate that the SLR system has a good ranging performance, to a few millimeters precision. Therefore, it is expected that the SLR system will not only play an important role as a member of the ILRS tracking network, but also contribute to future Korean space missions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry, and Cartography Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.43-44
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• 2010

We present the analysis of space geodetic technique observation, Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), to LAGEOS1 and LAGEOS2 for the definition of the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF). The data were analyzed in 7day arcs during about 9 years (2000/01/10 ~ 2008/12/29) using NASA Goddard's GEODYN/SOLVE II software. The comparison of the coordinates between ITRF2005 and TRF solutions determined in this work shows that there is no significant bias.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2011

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute has been developing one mobile and one stationary satellite laser ranging system for the space geodesy research and precise orbit determination since 2008, which are called as ARGO-M and ARGO-F, respectively. They will be capable of daytime laser ranging as well as nighttime and provide the accurate range measurements with millimeter level precision. Laser ranging accuracy is mostly dependent on the optics and optoelectronic system which consists of event timer, optoelectronic controller and photon detectors in the case of ARGO-M. In this study, the optoelectronic system of ARGO-M is addressed and its critical design is also presented. Additionally, the experiment of the integrated optoelectronic system was performed in the laboratory to validate the functional operation of each component and its results are analyzed to investigate ARGO-M performance in advance.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 2012

In this study, we present preliminary results of precise orbit determination (POD) using satellite laser ranging (SLR) observations for International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) Associate Analysis Center (AAC). Using SLR normal point observations of LAGEOS-1, LAGEOS-2, ETALON-1, and ETALON-2, the NASA/GSFC GEODYN II software are utilized for POD. Weekly-based orbit determination strategy is applied to process SLR observations and the post-fit residuals check, and external orbit comparison are performed for orbit accuracy assessment. The root mean square (RMS) value of differences between observations and computations after final iteration of estimation process is used for post-fit residuals check. The result of ILRS consolidated prediction format (CPF) is used for external orbit comparison. Additionally, we performed the precision analysis of each ILRS station by post-fit residuals. The post-fit residuals results show that the precisions of the orbits of LAGEOS-1 and LAGEOS-2 are 0.9 and 1.3 cm, and those of ETALON-1 and ETALON-2 are 2.5 and 1.9 cm, respectively. The orbit assessment results by ILRS CPF show that the radial accuracies of LAGEOS-1 and LAGEOS-2 are 4.0 cm and 5.3 cm, and the radial accuracies of ETALON-1 and ETALON-2 are 30.7 cm and 7.2 cm. These results of station precision analysis confirm that the result of this study is reasonable to have implications as preliminary results for administrating ILRS AAC.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.48-61
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• 2024

In this paper, we introduce the concept of the cube satellite Chungnam National University Laser Unity Bus (CLUB), which can provide an integrated infrastructure for various ground-space laser applications. With the advent of the new space era, the rapid expansion of space utilization has begun to reveal the limitations of conventional radio frequencies. As space missions diversify, lasers are garnering attention as a viable alternative. Between ground and space, lasers are applied in various fields including satellite laser ranging (SLR), laser weapons, and laser communication. However, laser used between the ground and space are significantly influenced by the Earth's atmosphere. Consequently, understanding the atmospheric effects on laser propagation is crucial. In particular, atmospheric turbulence, which refracts and distorts laser beams, intensifies closer to the Earth's surface, exerting a greater impact on the uplink than on the downlink. While downlink verification is facilitated by ground detection, verifying the uplink poses challenges due to the necessity of space-based detection. In response to these challenges, we propose the idea of cube satellite as a means to enhance understanding and verification of laser propagation in the uplink. Additionally, we present the results of conceptual design by analyzing requirements, focusing on mission design of the CLUB cube satellite, following the stages of systems engineering for systematic cube satellite development.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.225-233
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• 2014

The first Korean satellite laser ranging (SLR) system, Daedeok SLR station (DAEK station) was developed by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) in 2012, whose main objectives are space geodesy researches. In consequence, Korea became the $25^{th}$ country that operates SLR system supplementing the international laser tracking network. The DAEK station is designed to be capable of 2 kHz laser ranging with precision of a few mm both in daytime and nighttime observation of satellites with laser retro-reflector array (LRA) up to the altitude of 25,000 km. In this study, characteristics and specifications of DAEK station are investigated and its data quality is evaluated and compared with International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) stations in terms of single-shot ranging precision. The analysis results demonstrated that the DAEK station shows good ranging performance to a few mm precision. Currently, the DAEK station is under normal operations at KASI headquarters, however, it will be moved to Sejong city in 2014 to function as a fundamental station for space geodesy researches in combination with other space geodesy systems (GNSS, VLBI, DORIS, etc.).

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.419-427
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• 2023

The structural design of an optical-telescope assembly (OTA) for satellite laser ranging (SLR) is conducted in two steps. First, the results of a parametric study of the major design variables (e.g. dimension and shape) of the OTA part are explained, and the detailed structural design of the OTA is derived, considering the design requirements. Among the structural-shape concepts of various OTAs, the Serrurier truss concept is selected in this study, and the collimation of the telescope according to the design variables is extensively discussed. After generating finite-element models for different structural shapes, self-gravity analyses are performed. To minimize the deflection and tilt of the mirror and frame for the OTA under the limited design requirements, a parametric study is conducted according to design variables such as the shapes of the upper and lower struts and the spider vane. The structural features found in the parametric study are described. Finally, the OTA structure is designed in detail to maintain the optical alignment by balancing the gravity deflections of the upper and lower trusses using the optimal combination of the parameters. Additionally, thermal analysis of the optical telescope design is evaluated.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 1993.04a
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• pp.7.1-7
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• 1993

위성의 정밀 거리 결정을 위해 1993년 9월 5일부터 IS일간 중국의 상해 천문대 Sheshan관측소와 장춘 인공위성 관측소에서 LAGEOS 11 (Laser Geodynamics Satellite II)에 대한 SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging) 관측을 수행하였다. SLR 관측에서는 지상의 관측소에서 발사한 LASER 펄스 (pulse)가 반사경들(retroflectors)로 둘러싸인 인공위성에 반사되어 돌아오는 RTT (Round Trip Time)를 측정하여 위성까지의 거리를 결정하는데, 관측된 시간과 거리 자료는 많은 잡음(noise)를 포함하고 있기 때문에 정확한 자료를 얻기 위해서는 많은 보정이 필요하다. 관측된 시간, 거리 자료를 지상 목표물 조준(ground target ranging )에 의한 system보정, 원자시계와 GPS에서 수신된 시간과의 시간 비교, 측정된 온도, 기압, 상대 습도에 따른 대기 영향의 보정 등을 통해 오차를 줄이고 다시 LASERF beam의 대기 굴절에 따른 거리 변화 보정, 위성의 질량 중심 거리(offset) 보정, 조석력에 의한 변화값 보정, 전자기적 지연(electromagnetic delay)에 의한 상대론적 보정등을 통해서 정밀한 거리 자료를 얻었다.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2010

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute has been developing one mobile satellite laser ranging system named as accurate ranging system for geodetic observation-mobile (ARGO-M). Preliminary design of ARGO-M operation system (AOS) which is one of the ARGO-M subsystems was completed in 2009. Preliminary design results are applied to the following development phase by performing detailed design with analysis of pre-defined requirements and analysis of the derived specifications. This paper addresses the preliminary design of the whole AOS. The design results in operation and control part which is a key part in the operation system are described in detail. Analysis results of the interface between operation-supporting hardware and the control computer are summarized, which is necessary in defining the requirements for the operation-supporting hardware. Results of this study are expected to be used in the critical design phase to finalize the design process.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1006-1015
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• 2016

This paper presents preliminary design and performance analysis of a fast and high precision Tracking Mount for 1m Satellite Laser Ranging(SLR) which is development by Korea Astronomy and Space science Institute(KASI). SLR is considered to be the most accurate technique currently available for the precise orbit determination of Earth satellites. The SLR technique measures the time of flight between pulses emitted from laser transmitter and pulses returned from satellites with laser retro-reflector array. It provides millimeter level precision of range measurements between SLR stations and satellites. A fast and high precision Tracking Mount for SLR which is proposed in this research should be capable of day and nighttime laser tracking about the satellites with laser reflectors from 200 km to 36,000 km altitude(geosynchronous orbit). In order to meet this requirement, we performed mechanical design and structural analysis for Tracking Mount. Also we designed the motion control system and conducted pre-performance analysis to obtain good performance results for a fast and high precision Tracking Mount.