• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2023

We present a novel method that can enhance the detection success rate of interstellar objects. Interstellar objects are objects that are not gravitationally bound to our solar system and thus are believed to have originated from other planetary systems. Since the finding of two interstellar objects, 1l/'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2l/Borisov in 2019, much attention has been paid to finding new interstellar objects. In this paper, we propose the use of Heliospheric Imagers (HIs) for the survey of interstellar objects. In particular, we show HI data taken from Solar TErrestrial RElation Observatory/Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation and demonstrate their ability to detect 'Oumuamua-like interstellar objects. HIs are designed to monitor and study space weather by observing the solar wind traveling through interplanetary space. HIs provide the day-side observations and thus it can dramatically enlarge the observable sky range when combined with the traditional night-side observations. In this paper, we first review previous methods for detecting interstellar objects and demonstrate that HIs can be used for the survey of interstellar objects.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.411-417
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• 2015

Several optical monitoring strategies by a ground-based telescope to protect a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite from collisions with close approaching objects were investigated. Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) objects, Inclined GeoSynchronous Orbit (IGSO) objects, and drifted GEO objects forced by natural perturbations are hazardous to operational GEO satellites regarding issues related to close approaches. The status of these objects was analyzed on the basis of their orbital characteristics in Two-Line Element (TLE) data from the Joint Space Operation Center (JSpOC). We confirmed the conjunction probability with all catalogued objects for the domestic operational GEO satellite, Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) using the Conjunction Analysis Tools by Analytical Graphics, Inc (AGI). The longitudinal drift rates of GeoSynchronous Orbit (GSO) objects were calculated, with an analytic method and they were confirmed using the Systems Tool Kit by AGI. The required monitoring area was determined from the expected drift duration and inclination of the simulated target. The optical monitoring strategy for the target area was analyzed through the orbit determination accuracy. For this purpose, the close approach of Russian satellite Raduga 1-7 to Korean COMS in 2011 was selected.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.289-302
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• 2017

The key risk analysis technologies for the re-entry of space objects into Earth's atmosphere are divided into four categories: cataloguing and databases of the re-entry of space objects, lifetime and re-entry trajectory predictions, break-up models after re-entry and multiple debris distribution predictions, and ground impact probability models. In this study, we focused on reentry prediction, including orbital lifetime assessments, for space situational awareness systems. Re-entry predictions are very difficult and are affected by various sources of uncertainty. In particular, during uncontrolled re-entry, large spacecraft may break into several pieces of debris, and the surviving fragments can be a significant hazard for persons and properties on the ground. In recent years, specific methods and procedures have been developed to provide clear information for predicting and analyzing the re-entry of space objects and for ground-risk assessments. Representative tools include object reentry survival analysis tool (ORSAT) and debris assessment software (DAS) developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), spacecraft atmospheric re-entry and aerothermal break-up (SCARAB) and debris risk assessment and mitigation analysis (DRAMA) developed by European Space Agency (ESA), and semi-analytic tool for end of life analysis (STELA) developed by Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). In this study, various surveys of existing re-entry space objects are reviewed, and an efficient re-entry prediction technique is suggested based on STELA, the life-cycle analysis tool for satellites, and DRAMA, a re-entry analysis tool. To verify the proposed method, the re-entry of the Tiangong-1 Space Lab, which is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere shortly, was simulated. Eventually, these results will provide a basis for space situational awareness risk analyses of the re-entry of space objects.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.435-444
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• 2006

Since artificial space objects are observable only in a short period of time and the characteristics of their motion is not exactly predictable, it is difficult to obtain both photometric and spectroscopic data by a set of observations. We have, therefore, designed a mount to load multi-optical instruments on the Kyung Hee University (KHU) satellite tracking and observation system for both photometric and spectroscopic observations of artificial space objects. In this paper, we have calculated the deformation of the remodeled mount using structural analyses for the loading of the multi-optical instruments. We have also deduced pointing errors of the mount occurring at tracking and observing artificial space objects. we have derived tracking reliably artificial space objects in our field of view and confirmed structural safety test of mount utilizing equivalent (von-mises) stress distribution.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.303-314
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• 2017

With increased human activity in space, the risk of re-entry and collision between space objects is constantly increasing. Hence, the need for space situational awareness (SSA) programs has been acknowledged by many experienced space agencies. Optical and radar sensors, which enable the surveillance and tracking of space objects, are the most important technical components of SSA systems. In particular, combinations of radar systems and optical sensor networks play an outstanding role in SSA programs. At present, Korea operates the optical wide field patrol network (OWL-Net), the only optical system for tracking space objects. However, due to their dependence on weather conditions and observation time, it is not reasonable to use optical systems alone for SSA initiatives, as they have limited operational availability. Therefore, the strategies for developing radar systems should be considered for an efficient SSA system using currently available technology. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance of a radar system in detecting and tracking space objects. With the radar system investigated, the minimum sensitivity is defined as detection of a $1-m^2$ radar cross section (RCS) at an altitude of 2,000 km, with operating frequencies in the L, S, C, X or Ku-band. The results of power budget analysis showed that the maximum detection range of 2,000 km, which includes the low earth orbit (LEO) environment, can be achieved with a transmission power of 900 kW, transmit and receive antenna gains of 40 dB and 43 dB, respectively, a pulse width of 2 ms, and a signal processing gain of 13.3 dB, at a frequency of 1.3 GHz. We defined the key parameters of the radar following a performance analysis of the system. This research can thus provide guidelines for the conceptual design of radar systems for national SSA initiatives.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.184-192
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• 2014

In this paper, the lifetime of the artificial space objects in the LEO is analysed by using TLE data, which is provided by JSpOC. We observed the change of the number of space objects from 1957 and determined the reason of space debris generation. And then, we performed the analysis about present condition of space debris environment. The lifetime analysis includes a total of 11,792 artificial space objects and performed until the year 2050 by orbit propagation. We analyze the annual reentry frequency for the high RCS objects such as nonoperational satellites and rocket bodies, which have the possibility of earth ground impact through STK/Lifetime Tool for accurate and effective calculation. The results show that 9 payloads or rocket bodies will be decayed annually and 2 or 3 objects of total value have the possibility of ground impact. In addition, it is also shown that the 40% of a total analysed objects have the lifetime over 200 years.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.62.1-62.1
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• 2021

Interstellar objects originate from other stellar systems. Thus, they contain information about the stellar systems that cannot be directly explored; the information includes the formation and evolution of the stellar systems and the possibility of life. The examples observed so far are 1l/Oumuamua in 2017 and 2l/Borisov in 2019. In this talk, we present the possibility of detecting interstellar objects using the Heliospheric Imagers designed for space weather research and forecasting by observing solar wind in interplanetary space between the Sun and Earth. Because interstellar objects are unpredictable events, the detection requires observations with wide coverage in spatial and long duration in temporal. The near-real time data availability is essential for follow-up observations to study their detailed properties and future rendezvous missions. Heliospheric Imagers provide day-side observations, inaccessible by traditional astronomical observations. This will dramatically increase the temporal and spatial coverage of observations and also the probability of detecting interstellar objects visiting our solar system, together with traditional astronomical observations. We demonstrate that this is the case. We have used data taken from Solar TErrestrial RElation Observatory (STEREO)/Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) HI-1. HI-1 is off-pointed from the Sun direction by 14 degrees with 20 degrees of the field of view. Using images observed from 2007 to 2019, we have found a total of 223 small objects other than stars, galaxies, or planets, indicative of the potential capability to detect interstellar objects. The same method can be applied to the currently operating missions such as the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter and also future L5 and L4 missions. Since the data can be analyzed in near-real time due to the space weather purposes, more detailed properties can be analyzed by follow-up observations in ground and space, and also future rendezvous missions. We discuss future possible rendezvous missions at the end of this talk.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.291-301
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• 2008

While most GIS are based on Euclidean space, cellular space can be used as an alternative type of space for a large number of GIS applications. In order to analyze the pattern of moving objects in cellular space, we need new definitions of similarity between their trajectories since the trajectory in cellular space significantly differs from those in Euclidean space. In this paper, we study the properties of moving objects in cellular space. Based on these observations, we propose several similarity measures between trajectories in cellular space. We analyze the difference of the proposed measures by experiments.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.75-79
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• 2006

An alt-azimuth type mount system, developed at the Space Science and Technology Laboratory, Kyung Hee University, has been found to experience some difficulties in monitoring of the artificial space objects. Since the telescope installed on the alt-azimuth mount does not rotate on the same axis as the earth does, this mount system needs an instrument rotator to correct the field rotation. Although there are some commercial instrument rotators already in the market, those are not suitable for our system due to their low interchangeability. In this study, we have designed a new high speed instrument rotator and calculated the deformation of new designed system using structural analyses.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.270-278
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• 2014

This paper describes an improvement of space objects orbit prediction. To screen possible collisions between operational satellites and space objects, the TLE (Two-Line Element) was used as pseudo-measurement and than the orbit determination and orbit prediction were performed through the flight dynamics system. For determining the orbits, the state vectors were assumed by a series of TLEs within a certain period. The propagation error was analyzed according to the fitting period and a number of pseudo-observations. In order to find out the improvement of orbit prediction with the proposed method, KOMPSAT-2, 3 having the precise orbit in the meter-level range were first applied. Then the result applied to space objects under the same conditions was analyzed. As a result of the RMS error comparison with the orbit prediction of space object, the precision of orbit prediction was improved by approximately 90% for seven days prediction. The improved orbit prediction of space objects can be utilized in the daily analysis for initial screening of the close space objects at high risk.