• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.258-261
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• 2006

The structure of small launch vehicle can be divided into engine section and payload section. This paper introduces modal test of the payload section of small launch vehicle which is composed to satellite, PLA (Payload Adapter), VEB (Vehicle Equipment Bay), KMS (Kick Motor Support) and KM (Kick Motor). From this test, dynamic properties of the 2nd stage structure of small launch vehicle can be obtained. In this test, to simulate free-free boundary condition, test object was hung by 4 bungee cords and excited by using impact hammer Modal test data are analyzed by using TDAS(Test Data Analysis Software). As the result, modal parameters and mode shapes below 100Hz of the 2nd stage of small launch vehicle were identified.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.877-888
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• 2022

Recently, as the CAPSTONE, a precursor mission for Lunar Gateway, was launched on a small launch vehicle for the purpose of demonstrating communications and navigation technology in the NRHO, large attention was brought to this event that enabled high-impact deep space mission using dedicated small launch vehicle and small spacecraft. In this study, we introduced the concept of a dual launch operation and examined the capability of the new concept in the exploration of the Moon, Mars and asteroid. It turned out a single launch is sufficient for the lunar low orbit mission up to around 247 kg, and the dual launch option can transport 215 kg and 183 kg to nearby destinations as such as Mars and astroid Apophis respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.203-214
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• 2022

As the global demand for small satellites weighing less than 500 kg increases, the development and operation of dedicated small launch vehicles increase significantly. The responsiveness of a launch vehicle that puts a small satellite into a target orbit at the desired time is attracting attention. As a result, interest in the air launch is increasing in the rapid establishment of a constellation. As the demand for small satellites in south Korea increases, this study performed analyses on the applicability of an air launch vehicle using a large civil aircraft considering the geographical environment. In terms of responsiveness, mission response times were compared and analyzed for air launch vehicles and ground small and large vehicles. In addition, an air vehicle and a small ground vehicle were quantitatively compared and analyzed for the orbital insertion performance. As a result of the analysis, the air launch vehicle has limited responsiveness in Korea regarding rapid satellite constellation establishment. However, it can be an effective alternative for low inclination angle orbit insertion with the benefit of a fast turnaround time. Furthermore, the performance of the orbital injection is close to that of the ground small launch vehicle, and the high efficiency in terms of the required propellant mass is possible, so air launch can be an effective launch means for putting small satellites into orbit in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.277-285
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• 2022

There has been significant increase in demand of launch opportunities from the small satellite sector that represents the new space era. Providing smallsat-dedicated launch service at an affordable price is a new business model many startup companies have pursued, which requires innovative solutions for cost reduction in combination of low cost components, volume production and optimized manufacturing. We set out a preceding study at KARI to develop a suite of critical and cost-cutting technologies in preparation for a two-staged small launch vehicle development, based on the liquid rocket engine technologies developed from the Nuri program in accordance with the 3^rd master plan for national space development. In this work, we introduce the concept of a two-staged small launch vehicle that aims to be innovative and cost competitive for small satellites, and describe mission design results including staging as well as overall vehicle configuration of the launch vehicle.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 2021

In this paper, design study of a small two-stage launch vehicle is undertaken for the dedicated launch of the Compact Advanced Satellite 500 (CAS500)-class satellite into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by modifying the second and third stages of the Korean Space Launch Vehicle II (KSLV-II). Since the KSLV-II has three stages, velocity increment is newly distributed for the two-stage small launch vehicle. For this end, the staging design is carried out for the design parameters such as stage mass ratios, structural coefficients and engine options for each stage followed by trajectory analysis. Investigation of the results provides the combination of design parameters for the small launch vehicle for the dedicated launch of 500 kg-class satellite into LEO.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2018

In this paper, test-bed for the evaluation of wireless communication system on a small launch vehicle is proposed. The proposed test-bed consists of antenna test-coupler, RF attenuators, and RF switch modules. The antenna test-coupler isolates antennas for each band and transmits / receives wireless signals. The RF attenuator and switch are used for path selection of testing signal path. In design and measurement result of the antenna test-coupler, the antenna test-coupler has shielding effect higher than 39.3, 47.1, 56.1 dB at UHF-, S-, X-band. Through testing on small launch vehicle wireless communication system, we were able to successfully transmit and receive data between each test system and launch vehicle with antenna path switching.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.358-362
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• 2006

Pyro-shock generally refers to the severe mechanical transients caused by the detonation of an ordnance device on a structure. Such device on a structure, including linear explosive, and point explosive are widely used to accomplish in-flight separation of structural elements on aerospace vehicle. And they are a significant cause of launch vehicle failures. The launch vehicle being developed in Korea also uses the explosive for separation events. In this paper, the isolator equipped to small satellite launch vehicle made of PTFE(Teflon) is developed to reduce the separation shock. The test to measure dynamic stiffness of PTFE isolator is performed. This test enables us to find the frequency range of PTFE isolator. And,, pyre-shock test using explosive to evaluate the performance of PTFE isolator is executed. from this study, the isolator conformed to frequency range and load requirement is developed using PTFE instead of rubber.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2021

The end of the ROK-U.S. missile guidelines opened up the possibility of developing space launch vehicles for various platforms based on air and sea. In particular, the air-based space launch vehicle is an essential space power projection capability compared to the ground-based space launch vehicle in consideration of the geographical location of the Korean Peninsula, such as the deployment of various satellite orbits and the timely launch of satellite. In addition, compared to the ground-based launch vehicle, the cost reduction effect is large, and it has the merit of energy gain because it can be launched with the advantage of the aircraft's altitude and speed. Therefore, in this paper, the necessity of air-based space launch vehicle in the strategic environment of the Korean Peninsula is clearly presented, and through technology trend analysis of various air launch vehicle, the three methods are proposed to have the most efficient air-based space launch vehicle capability in the Korean situation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.91-102
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• 2020

Recently, a new space era has evolved in which commercial companies' led space development has begun. In this era, commercial companies actively participate in space development as the size of the small satellite market and small launch vehicle market is expanding. Through space development, developed countries are making efforts to reduce development, production, and operation costs to secure the competitiveness of small launch vehicles. In this study, the development trend of small launch vehicles and required technologies for space development were analyzed and summarized. Thus, research and development is urgently needed so that spin-on technologies, such as electric pumps and additive manufacturing, can be utilized for space development.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.20-24
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• 2003

The feasibility of hybrid motor as a first stage of the air launch vehicle is investigated, and the result shows the hybrid motor can replace the solid motor. Optimal design study has been performed for the hybrid motor as a first stage of nanosat air launch vehicle. The first stage hybrid motor of the nanosat air launch vehicle, which uses the F-4E Phantom as a mother plane is designed for given mission requirements. Selected design variables are the number of ports, the initial oxidizer flux, the combustion chamber pressure, and the nozzle expansion ratio. The design results show that a hybrid motor can be successfully applicable to very small air launch vehicles which have severe physical constraints of length and diameter imposed by the mother plane.