On Aug. 4, 2022, at 23:08:48 (UTC), the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO),
also known as Danuri, was launched using a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
Currently, KPLO is successfully conducting its science mission around the Moon.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Deep Space
Network (DSN) was utilized for the successful flight operation of KPLO. A great
deal of joint effort was made between the Korea Aerospace Research Institute
(KARI) and NASA DSN team since the beginning of KPLO ground system design for
the success of the mission. The efficient utilization and management of NASA DSN
in deep space exploration are critical not only for the spacecraft’s
telemetry and command but also for tracking the flight dynamics (FD) operation.
In this work, the top-level DSN interface architecture, detailed workflows, DSN
support levels, and practical lessons learned from the joint team’s
efforts are presented for KPLO’s successful FD operation. Due to the
significant joint team’s efforts, KPLO is currently performing its
mission smoothly in the lunar mission orbit. Through KPLO cooperative operation
experience with DSN, a more reliable and efficient partnership is expected not
only for Korea’s own deep space exploration mission but also for the
KARI-NASA DSN joint support on other deep space missions in the future.