KARI and NASA JSC Collaborative Endeavors for Joint Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter Flight Dynamics Operations: Architecture, Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned

Abstract

This paper outlines the collaborative efforts between the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) for the Flight Dynamics (FD) operation of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO). From the outset of the KPLO program, the joint KARI KPLO FD team and NASA JSC Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) have devoted significant time and effort towards ensuring the mission’s success. This paper begins by introducing the aims and scope of the collaborative work, followed by a detailed description of the efforts made between the KPLO FD team and JSC FOD. This includes the top-level concept, interface architecture, test results, established operation procedures/timeline, and the summary of the joint rehearsal conducted. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned from this journey, particularly from the practical FD operational perspectives. Thanks to the joint team’s collaborative efforts, KPLO has successfully entered lunar orbit and is performing its mission exceptionally well. The joint experience has fostered mutual trust between KARI and NASA JSC, serving as a foundation for further cooperation and collaboration. The efforts and outcomes described in this work will provide valuable insights to experts worldwide who are willing to foster similar international collaborations in the future.

Preparation of Contingency Trajectory Operation for the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter

“…Collaborative efforts between Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) FD team and NASA Johnson Space Center Flight Operations Directorate were made to compare orbit determination (OD) and maneuver planning (MP) solutions. A number of test and joint rehearsals were conducted to validate all operational concept, procedures, and timelines (Song et al 2023e).…”

Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter Magnetometer Instrument and Initial Data Processing

“…Before the lunar orbit insertion (LOI), KPLO completed the translunar cruise (TLC) journey during 4.5 months on a ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) trajectory. In December 27, 2022, KPLO successfully settled down in a lunar polar orbit at an altitude of 100 ± 20 km after multiple LOI maneuvers (Song et al 2023). Since January 1, 2023, KPLO has been operating in this polar orbit, passing over various regions of the Moon per its one-year mission plan.…”