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The KPLO Danuri Embarks on a Journey to the Moon
- Department Administrator
- Registration Date 2022-08-05
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The Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”; Minister Lee Jong-Ho) announced that Korea’s first moon orbiter Danuri was launched Friday from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, at 8:08:48 am, August 5, 2022 (EDT 19:08:48 Thursday, August 4, 2022), and successfully entered its planned trajectory toward the moon as of 2 p.m.
Danuri separated from its carrier rocket at an altitude of about 703 km at around 8:48 am., and made its first communication with the ground station around 92 minutes after liftoff at 9:40 a.m. (KST)
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's ("KARI"; President Lee Sang-ryool) ground control center analyzed the SpaceX data on the lunar orbiter's projectile separation (speed and direction, etc.) and confirmed that Danuri was separated from the projectile and entered its planned trajectory.
An analysis of the received satellite information signal confirmed that Danuri's solar panels started generating electricity and communication between the onboard computer and other devices functioned smoothly. The temperature detected on each device was also within the expected range, indicating that Danuri was operating normally.
As Danuri is on a low-power, fuel-efficient ballistic lunar transfer trajectory, it will initially set off on a trajectory heading towards the L1 Lagrangian point, where the gravitational forces of the Earth and the Moon are balanced. Then, on September 2, Danuri will conduct Trajectory Correction Maneuver (TCM), adjusting the orbiter’s cruising direction, position and speed using a thruster.
Danuri should arrive at its destination around mid-December after about four-and-a-half months of travel and enter its mission orbit at the end of December 2022.
Once Danuri reaches the Moon, the lunar orbiter will orbit for a year at 100 kilometers above the lunar surface, conducting its mission* from January 2023.
*Identifying potential landing sites for future lunar missions, conducting lunar scientific research (e.g. analyzing surface mineral and observing magnetic field and radiation) and verifying space internet technology.
Korea started building its first lunar orbiter from 2016 in line with its Mid to Long Term Space Development Plan.
With the development of Danuri, Korea laid the foundation for full-scale space exploration activities in the future. For instance, Korea secured the orbital operation capability for ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) method for deep space navigation, developed an independent large-capacity high thrust propulsion system, and secured deep space antenna for deep space communication, which is 35 meters in diameter.
The KPLO carries six science instruments and technology demonstration payloads. Among the six payloads, five were made in Korea, designed and developed by Korean research institutes and universities*, except for NASA's Shadow Cam.
* Korean Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Kyung Hee University
The First Vice Minister Oh Tae-Seog of Science and ICT said, “The Danuri is the first lunar orbiter that Korea has built, and along with the development of the Nuri, it will enhance Korea’s international standing in space and set the stage for Korea to become a space power.” He added, “The technology acquired through the development of Danuri and the scientific data obtained through Danuri's mission are expected to greatly contribute to Korea's lunar science research, not to mention sparking public interest in space development.”
Danuri separated from its carrier rocket at an altitude of about 703 km at around 8:48 am., and made its first communication with the ground station around 92 minutes after liftoff at 9:40 a.m. (KST)
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's ("KARI"; President Lee Sang-ryool) ground control center analyzed the SpaceX data on the lunar orbiter's projectile separation (speed and direction, etc.) and confirmed that Danuri was separated from the projectile and entered its planned trajectory.
An analysis of the received satellite information signal confirmed that Danuri's solar panels started generating electricity and communication between the onboard computer and other devices functioned smoothly. The temperature detected on each device was also within the expected range, indicating that Danuri was operating normally.
As Danuri is on a low-power, fuel-efficient ballistic lunar transfer trajectory, it will initially set off on a trajectory heading towards the L1 Lagrangian point, where the gravitational forces of the Earth and the Moon are balanced. Then, on September 2, Danuri will conduct Trajectory Correction Maneuver (TCM), adjusting the orbiter’s cruising direction, position and speed using a thruster.
Danuri should arrive at its destination around mid-December after about four-and-a-half months of travel and enter its mission orbit at the end of December 2022.
Once Danuri reaches the Moon, the lunar orbiter will orbit for a year at 100 kilometers above the lunar surface, conducting its mission* from January 2023.
*Identifying potential landing sites for future lunar missions, conducting lunar scientific research (e.g. analyzing surface mineral and observing magnetic field and radiation) and verifying space internet technology.
Korea started building its first lunar orbiter from 2016 in line with its Mid to Long Term Space Development Plan.
With the development of Danuri, Korea laid the foundation for full-scale space exploration activities in the future. For instance, Korea secured the orbital operation capability for ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) method for deep space navigation, developed an independent large-capacity high thrust propulsion system, and secured deep space antenna for deep space communication, which is 35 meters in diameter.
The KPLO carries six science instruments and technology demonstration payloads. Among the six payloads, five were made in Korea, designed and developed by Korean research institutes and universities*, except for NASA's Shadow Cam.
* Korean Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Kyung Hee University
The First Vice Minister Oh Tae-Seog of Science and ICT said, “The Danuri is the first lunar orbiter that Korea has built, and along with the development of the Nuri, it will enhance Korea’s international standing in space and set the stage for Korea to become a space power.” He added, “The technology acquired through the development of Danuri and the scientific data obtained through Danuri's mission are expected to greatly contribute to Korea's lunar science research, not to mention sparking public interest in space development.”