• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2020

The ground tracking support is a critical factor for the navigation performance of spacecraft orbiting around the Moon. Because of the tracking limit of antennas, only a small number of facilities can support lunar missions. Therefore, case studies for various ground tracking support conditions are needed for lunar missions on the stage of preliminary mission analysis. This study analyzes the ground supporting condition effect on orbit determination (OD) of Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) in the lunar orbit. For the assumption of ground support conditions, daily tracking frequency, cut-off angle for low elevation, tracking measurement accuracy, and tracking failure situations were considered. Two antennas of deep space network (DSN) and Korea Deep Space Antenna (KDSA) are utilized for various tracking conditions configuration. For the investigation of the daily tracking frequency effect, three cases (full support, DSN 4 pass/day and KDSA 4 pass/day, and DSN 2 pass/day and KDSA 2 pass/day) are prepared. For the elevation cut-off angle effect, two situations, which are 5 deg and 10 deg, are assumed. Three cases (0%, 30%, and 50% of degradation) were considered for the tracking measurement accuracy effect. Three cases such as no missing, 1-day KDSA missing, and 2-day KDSA missing are assumed for tracking failure effect. For OD, a sequential estimation algorithm was used, and for the OD performance evaluation, position uncertainty, position differences between true and estimated orbits, and orbit overlap precision according to various ground supporting conditions were investigated. Orbit prediction accuracy variations due to ground tracking conditions were also demonstrated. This study provides a guideline for selecting ground tracking support levels and preparing a backup plan for the KPLO lunar mission phase.

• 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 the Korean earth science society
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.514-520
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• 2011

As homework, a total of 32 seventh grade science-gifted students were asked to observe the moon at daily intervals for one month duration. They were also asked to take the photos and to record relevant variables in a given format. The purpose of the task was to investigate what students thought, as they observed the moon. The results show that students paid attention mainly to the position of the moon relative to other variables such as the date in the lunar calendar, the observer's position on the earth, and the position of the sun. Overall students' response implied that students did not observe the lunar phase in relation with relevant variables. Some reponses from students show common misconceptions such as the cause of the lunar phase to reflect the shadow of the earth. However, some responses reveal students' idea that has been rarely reported in the previous researches. For example, some students drew the moon to revolve in the opposite direction. Significant number of students drew the sun's position to be due west before the full moon and due east after the full moon. Few students recognized the relation between the time of observation and observer's position on the earth. The results of current research suggest that not only the education but also the research needs to be expanded to consider informal environment such as the actual field conditions.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.210.2-210.2
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• 2012

Using Fresnel reflection and Hapke BRDF model with Apollo 10084 soil sample's scattering properties, we constructed a real scale optical lunar model and used it to simulate lunar apparent albedo and moonshine. For Fresnel reflection, the refractive index of $1.68{\pm}0.5$ was used. For Hapke BRDF parameters from BUGs BRDF measurement, the single scattering with w=0.33, hot spot width h=0.017, average phase angle ${\zeta}$=-0.086 and Legendre polynomial coefficients b=0.308, c=0.425 in wavelength 700nm with two types of Henyey-Greenstein phase function was applied. The computation model includes the Sun as a Lambertian scattering sphere, emitting 1.5078 W/m2 at 700nm in wavelength. The Sun and Moon models were then imported into the IRT based radiative transfer computation. The trial simulation of the irradiance levels of moonshine lights shows that they agree well with the ROLO measurement data. We then estimate the lunar apparent albedo to 0.11. The results are to be compared with the measurement data.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.247-264
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• 2014

In this paper, a brief but essential development strategy for the lunar orbit determination system is discussed to prepare for the future Korea's lunar missions. Prior to the discussion of this preliminary development strategy, technical models of foreign agencies for the lunar orbit determination system, tracking networks to measure the orbit, and collaborative efforts to verify system performance are reviewed in detail with a short summary of their lunar mission history. Covered foreign agencies are European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Indian Space Research Organization and China National Space Administration. Based on the lessons from their experiences, the preliminary development strategy for Korea's future lunar orbit determination system is discussed with regard to the core technical issues of dynamic modeling, numerical integration, measurement modeling, estimation method, measurement system as well as appropriate data formatting for the interoperability among foreign agencies. Although only the preliminary development strategy has been discussed through this work, the proposed strategy will aid the Korean astronautical society while on the development phase of the future Korea's own lunar orbit determination system. Also, it is expected that further detailed system requirements or technical development strategies could be designed or established based on the current discussions.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2023

This paper presents an analysis of the trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), the first lunar exploration spacecraft of the Republic of Korea. The successful launch conducted on August 4, 2022 (UTC), utilized the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall mission success by directly influencing the spacecraft's onboard fuel consumption. Following separation from the launch vehicle (LV), a comprehensive analysis of the trajectory insertion performance was performed by the KPLO flight dynamics (FD) team. Both orbit parameter message (OPM) and orbit determination (OD) solutions were employed using deep space network (DSN) tracking measurements. As a result, the KPLO was accurately inserted into the ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) trajectory, satisfying all separation requirements at the target interface point (TIP), including launch injection energy per unit mass (C3), right ascension of the injection orbit apoapsis vector (RAV), and declination of the injection orbit apoapsis vector (DAV). The precise BLT trajectory insertion facilitated the smoother operation of the KPLO's remainder mission phase and enabled the utilization of reserved fuel, consequently significantly enhancing the possibilities of an extended mission.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1184-1194
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• 2010

The descent and ascent phases for a lunar lander are composed of several phases. Accordingly, the constraints and control values adequate for each phase are required in order to generate optimal lander's trajectory. The optimal trajectories for descent and ascent phases are generated by the cost function to minimize fuel consumption & attitude variation rates. In this paper, the optimal control problem to make trajectory uses Gauss pseudo-spectral method which is one of the direct approach method. This problem generates lander's reference trajectory, states and controls.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.606-619
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• 2006

In this paper we investigated the types of the explanatory consistency of preservice secondary teachers in explaining the lunar phase. The explanatory consistencies were proposed into four discrete mental models depending on their attributes. The four types based on the explanatory consistency by the preservice secondary teachers' explanations are as follows: ad hoc expansion, competitive theory addition, transition of unexplainable each, and transition using in context of several situations.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.96-107
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• 2014

Korea Aerospace Research Institute has a plan to launch experimental lunar orbiter in 2017, and lunar orbiter and lander in 2020. In the mission planning phase, LOI(Lunar Orbit Insertion) maneuver strategy should be designed using finite burn model because on-board propulsion system of lunar orbiter in finite burn type. LOI maneuver plan and amount of required ${\Delta}V$ using finite burn model depend on the spacecraft attitude at burn, a type of propellant, thrust level and burn timing. This paper describes the LOI maneuver of lunar orbiter of foreign space agency and then comes up with the LOI maneuver plan of Korean lunar orbiter. Adequate thrust level and burn duration of Korean lunar orbiter also present by performing simulation.

• 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.