• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.245-254
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• 2010

Technology of surface investigation using X-ray is one of widely used technology nowadays. This technique has been numerously used for planetary surface investigations for both orbital and rover scientific instruments. Korea has a plan to send an orbiter and lander to the Moon by the early 2020s. Therefore, the time has come for Korean researchers to develop major scientific instruments and start to do research on basic research for the Moon. Because of this situation, we firstly investigate X-ray technology, which is essential as one of core techniques of planetary remote sensing from the orbit and ground. This paper presents the current status of planetary exploration using X-ray techniques and new development of worldwide X-ray technology which could be adapted for prospective planetary missions.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.237-250
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• 2021

A rover is a planetary surface exploration device designed to move across the ground on a planet or a planetary-like body. Exploration rovers are increasingly becoming a vital part of the search for scientific evidence and discoveries on a planetary satellite of the Sun, such as the Moon or Mars. Reliable behavior and predictable locomotion of a rover is important. Understanding soil behavior and its interaction with rover wheels-the terramechanics-is of great importance in rover exploration performance. Up to now, many researchers have adopted Bekker's semiempirical model to predict rover wheelsoil interaction, which is based on the assumption that soil is deformable when a pressure is applied to it. Despite this basic assumption of the model, the pressure-sinkage relation is not fully understood, and it continues to present challenges for rover designers. This article presents a new pressure-sinkage model based on dimensional analysis (DA) and results of bevameter tests. DA was applied to the test results in order to propose a new pressure-sinkage model by reducing physical quantitative parameters. As part of the work, a new bevameter was designed and built so that it could be successfully used to obtain a proper pressure-sinkage relation of Korean Lunar Soil Simulant (KLS-1). The new pressure-sinkage model was constructed by using three different sizes of flat plate diameters of the bevameter. The newly proposed model was compared successfully with other models for validation purposes.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.154-164
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• 2023

In space exploration, spectroscopic observation is useful for understanding objects' composition and physical properties. There are various methods for analyzing spectral data, and there are differences depending on the object and the wavelength. This paper introduces a method for analyzing visible & nearinfrared (VNIR) spectral data, which is mainly applied in lunar exploration. The main analysis methods include false color ratio image processing, reflectance pattern analysis, integrated band depth (IBD) processing, and continuum removal as preprocessing before analysis. These spectroscopic analysis methods help to understand the mineral properties of the lunar surface in the VNIR region and can be applied to other celestial bodies such as Mars.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.52-65
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• 2022

Korea is near close the success on the indigenous launch vehicle KSLV-2 after the second test launch during the second half of 2022, and the satellite development has been already in the level of advanced country. After the such mature of satellite and launch vehicle technologies, Korea's space development main theme should be 'Space Exploration and Space Application', and paradigm should be changed from 'Hardware' to 'Scientific/Technological Mission', from 'Unmanned' to 'Manned'. Korea's prime space strategy should be the direction of expansion of space industry, creation of employment and secure the key technologies, improvement of convenience and safety of people. For the purpose it is necessary to start 'Manned Space Development' such that participation to 'Artemis and Gateway Program' in 20s' and manned Mars exploration in 30s' which would be carried out by means of global international cooperation, and which could be a good opportunity to explore the new area of space development and upgrade national technology capability. Taking advantage of this opportunity, it is required for Korea to join the international programs through developing indigenous challenging, sustainable Korean mission and hardware. Also selection of the 2^nd Korean Astronaut could draw national attention, especially could give dreams to young generation. Participation to the Artemis program could be the opportunity of entering the major space fairing nation and boosting up national pride. In this study we survey and analyze the Artemis Program in detail, and in conclusion we suggest the strategy of Korea's participation to the Artemis Program.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.325-332
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• 2022

The vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTVL) function is essential to carry out exploration missions on the moon or Mars. For this, the engine of the exploration vehicle must have appropriate thrust control accuracy and response time. The hybrid rocket engine (HRE) is known to have a high level of thrust control capability that can satisfy these conditions. This study aims to first verify whether the thrust control performance of the developed HRE is suitable for VTVL. To this end, an oxidizer supply system that does not use a pressurization device was adopted, aiming for a mission time of about 10 seconds. In this study, the thrust control characteristics appearing under various supply pressure decreasing conditions were identified through experiments. Appropriate tank and charging conditions were set from the experimental results. In addition, the results of previous studies and current study's test were compared to confirm whether the developed HRE had adequate control performance for VTVL, and finally, the thrust control performance was verified through altitude control simulation.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.206-220
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• 2022

There are various systems that allow humans to safely maintain their space exploration missions and lives in completely different environments, such as the International Space Station, the Moon (the closest celestial body to Earth), and Mars (the only planet in the solar system for manned mission in the 2030s). Among them, when it comes to maintaining the basic breathing of humans, the human life support air management system is a key device system. Such an air management system can be used not only for space exploration but also for undersea bases and submarines on Earth where humans reside. The air management system basically consists of an oxygen generation system, a carbon dioxide removal system, and a harmful substance removal system. In this paper, in order to develop an air management system that can be used in an underwater residential platform, the development requirements of a ground test module to be used as an experimental facility were analyzed.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.120-128
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• 2014

Adventure of human race for space exploration is toward outer region of solar system. Recently the main targets of space explorations are becoming mainly the Mars, Venus and asteroids instead of the Moon which was the popular place human wants to explore. There are several technical challenges as spacecraft goes far and far away from the Earth, and among them communication protocol is one of the most challenging problems. In this paper, several international technical trends regarding deep space communication protocol technologies in an aspect of software implementation is presented. It is expected that these references are helpful for the development of the lunar orbiter pathfinder which is planned to be launched in 2017.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Artificial-intelligence (AI) technology is used in a variety of fields, from robot cleaner motion control to call center counselors, AI speakers, and Mars exploration. Because the technology levels of all applications and services that utilize AI vary widely, it is not possible to view all applications using AI technology at the same level. Nevertheless, there have been no cases in which the level of AI technology was defined. Therefore, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory has defined the levels of the main technical elements of AI from steps 1 to 6. In this report, the Artificial Intelligence Technology Level 1.0 (ATL 1.0) is presented. It was established by comprehensively referring to the AI technology prospects and technology roadmaps of major countries. It is hoped that it can be used as a measure for determining the levels of AI applications or services or as an indicator for establishing a technology roadmap.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.161-198
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• 2014

The idea of creating an International Space Exploitation Agency (tentative title: hereinafter referred to ISEA) is only my academic and theoretical opinion. It is necessary for us to establish ISEA as an international organization for the efficient and rapid exploitation of natural resources in the moon and other celestial bodies. The creation of ISEA as a new international organization is based on the Article 11, 5 and Article 18 of the 1979 Moon Agreement. In order to create it as a preliminary procedure, it needs to make the Draft for the Convention on the Establishment an ISEA among the space-faring countries. The main contents of this paper is composed of (1) introduction, (2) joint exploitation of the natural resources (Heliumn-3, etc.) in the moon and ISEA, (3) activities for the exploitation of moon and other celestial bodies by the space-faring powers, (4) legal problems and Solution for the exploitation and mining rights of the natural resources in the moon, mars and celestial bodies, (5) procedure of creating an ISEA, (6) the principal points that need to be included in the draft for the ISEA convention, (7) conclusion. The creation of an ISEA would lead to a strengthening of the cooperation among the States deemed essential by the global community towards joint undertakings in space and would act as a catalyst for the efforts on the exploitation of the natural resources moon, mars, Venus, Mercury and other celestial bodies and allow resources, technology, manpower and finances to be centrally managed in an independent fashion to the benefit of the space-faring countries. It is desirable and necessary for us to create ISEA in order to promote cooperation in the field of space policy, law, science technology and industry etc. among the space-faring countries. The creation of the ISEA will be promoted the international cooperation among the space-faring countries in exploration and exploitations of the natural resources in the moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury and other celestial bodies. Finally, it should be noted that the political drive will be necessary not only to set up the organization ISEA, but also study a subsequent measures. It is also necessary for us to create the ISEA in order to develop the space industry, to strengthen friendly relations and to promote research cooperation among the space-faring countries based on the new ideology and creative ideas. If the heads (president or prime minister) of the space super-powers including the UNCOPUOS will be agreed to establish ISEA at a summit conference, 1 believe that it is possible to establish an ISEA in the near future.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.86-99
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• 2023

The mass spectrometer, being an essential scientific instrument for uncovering the origin of the solar system and life, has been used since the early 1970s on board spacecraft to obtain information of neutral and ionized elements in the atmosphere and surface of the moon, planets, asteroids, and comets. According to the 4th Basic Plan for the Promotion of Space Development (2023-2027), Korea plans to conduct lunar landing in 2032 and Mars landing in 2045 as the core goals of the plan and focuses on developing the technologies required for unmanned robotic exploration missions. In this regard, it is crucial to develop the technology of a mass spectrometer, which is the most fundamental payload for space exploration for maximized scientific achievements, however never tried before in any domestic space missions. We describe in this paper the principle of a domestically developed quadrupole mass spectrometer, its prototype model, and the test results of its performance. We conclude this paper with intended future improvements.