[Q&A] "No Issues in Launch Preparation... Beginning the Long Journey to the Moon"

Interview - Kim Dae-gwan, Head of Lunar Exploration Project at Korea Aerospace Research Institute, in Charge of Danuri Launch Preparation

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA = Joint Reporting Team] Korea's first lunar probe 'Danuri' will be launched at 8:08 a.m. on the 5th (Korean time). The key to a successful launch is whether it separates at the designated altitude (about 1650 km) and then navigates along the planned ballistic lunar transfer orbit (BLT).

Below is a Q&A on the morning of the 3rd (local time in the U.S.) with Kim Dae-gwan, Head of the Lunar Exploration Project Group at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), who is overseeing the Danuri launch on site.

- What procedures have you gone through since arriving in the U.S.?

▲ Since Danuri was transported to the launch site in early July, the satellite's condition has been checked and confirmed to be problem-free. After that, fuel loading was carried out. A few days ago, the interface verification with the launch vehicle was completed, and currently Danuri is mounted on the launch vehicle fairing, with the first stage, second stage, and fairing module all fully integrated and ready.

- Can we say that all launch preparations are complete?

▲ From our side, all inspections that we can perform have been completed. For now, the remaining steps are transporting Danuri to the launch pad over the next two days (the 3rd and 4th), erecting it, and then proceeding with the countdown process.

- This is your first collaboration with SpaceX; how has it been?

▲ This is the first time we have cooperated technically with SpaceX in many aspects. Overall, it has been an opportunity to share information, work together, and learn from each other. Compared to other launch service providers, SpaceX’s launch operations are quite different. Especially, their schedules seem optimized, and they proceed only with necessary procedures, which we believe reflects a high level of commercialization optimization.

- The launch was delayed by two days; have all issues been resolved?

▲ At that time, Danuri’s launch preparations were nearly complete. From the launch vehicle side, both the first and second stages had to be prepared and were almost ready. The second stage was being transported from Texas. During the regular inspection preparing for reuse of the first stage, an anomaly was detected in a sensor of one of the nine engines, leading to replacement work and a two-day launch delay. Since SpaceX’s Falcon launch vehicles are reused, such occurrences are common and not considered major issues. SpaceX replaced the sensor according to their standard procedures and informed us that it would take about two days. The launch window was set between August 2 and August 8, so although there was a two-day delay, it did not significantly affect our preparations.

- What do you see as the last variable before Danuri’s launch?

▲ We do not anticipate major issues with the launch vehicle itself. A launch readiness review meeting is scheduled for the 3rd (local time), where the decision about tomorrow’s launch will be made. The main review point will likely be Danuri’s condition, which we already confirmed to SpaceX yesterday as problem-free. The launch vehicle is fully assembled and ready, so there are no major issues. The remaining factor is probably weather conditions. We receive daily weather forecasts through the U.S. military, and currently, the forecast indicates very favorable weather on the launch day. SpaceX on site is also encouraged by the good weather conditions.

- How do you feel ahead of the final launch? What is the atmosphere like?

▲ It has taken a long time to get here, and thanks to many people’s help and efforts, we are now the day before launch. On one hand, it feels like the end is near?tomorrow is the finish line. But on the other hand, it is just the beginning. After launch, Danuri will reach the Moon on December 16, enter lunar orbit for 15 days, and arrive at its mission orbit on December 31. We cannot relax until then. The long journey starts now. I have mixed emotions: relief that we are finally showing what we have prepared, but also a sense of beginning, which sometimes feels refreshing and other times more daunting. It’s hard to express my feelings clearly.

- What should we watch for after the launch?

▲ The launch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. local time. About 40 minutes after launch, Danuri will separate from the launch vehicle, and one hour later, communication with the ground station will be established. The first priority is whether communication with the ground station is successful, as that allows us to check Danuri’s status. The most critical moment will be 2 to 3 hours after launch, when we determine if Danuri has properly entered the BLT trajectory. Then, in September, there will be a trajectory correction maneuver, which is one of the most important milestones. If no major issues arise, additional maneuvers can be performed on the course to the Moon starting December 16. From December 16, over about two weeks, we will need to successfully perform 5 to 6 maneuvers, which will be the biggest events. Only when Danuri enters lunar orbit on January 1, 2023, can we say the mission is a success.

- What is the current status of Danuri’s transport, erection, and what are the key points until launch?

▲ A launch readiness review meeting was held at 2 p.m. on the 3rd (local time). At that meeting, the decision for tomorrow’s launch was made. (As of 7 p.m. on the 3rd local time, the review meeting was completed and launch readiness was confirmed.) At 6 p.m., the launch vehicle will be moved horizontally from the assembly building to the launch pad. Erection of the launch vehicle is scheduled for around 2 a.m. on the launch day (the 4th), though as of 7 p.m. on the 3rd, the schedule was adjusted to around 9 p.m. on the 3rd. On the 4th, all personnel will begin preparations from 10 a.m. Fuel loading will start 38 minutes before launch, and just before fuel loading, a final decision will be made whether to proceed. After fuel loading, external power will be switched to Danuri’s internal battery 15 minutes before launch, and then the countdown will begin.

Once Danuri is launched, it will be continuously monitored via deep space antennas from the moment of launch. The first communication will be through the Canberra antenna in Australia. About 20 minutes after separation, communication with the Canberra antenna will be established. After communication, Danuri’s status data will be checked, and about a day later, a full status check of Danuri’s satellite systems will be conducted.

- What are the plans for communication with the deep space antenna in Yeoju?

▲ We plan to communicate with the Yeoju deep space antenna. However, since the Yeoju antenna is newly built, calibration work must be done first. After that, once Danuri reaches the Moon, the Yeoju antenna will be used as the main antenna. Antenna verification work is planned during Danuri’s journey to the Moon.

- There is significant U.S. interest in the ShadowCam; can you comment?

▲ We are sharing all information with NASA. Not only Danuri’s status but also NASA officials visited the launch site on August 12 and 13 to inspect the assembly status of Danuri’s ShadowCam. We will continue to share information about the ShadowCam’s condition and any anomalies. NASA is also present here ahead of the launch.

- Danuri’s mission life is one year. What are the plans for utilization after one year?

▲ Various scenarios are being considered?about 4 to 5 different ones. Each scenario has different plans. Some scenarios favor specific payloads, others allow longer usage, each with pros and cons. Around mid-2023, we will predict the remaining fuel on Danuri and decide which scenario offers the most optimized extended mission based on that. Government approval and NASA cooperation will also be necessary.

- Any message to the public ahead of the launch?

▲ Following the success of Nuriho, there is great public interest in Danuri’s launch. It is a good opportunity for the public to take an interest in space exploration. I hope this interest does not end here but continues, leading to lunar landers, manned spacecraft, and even deeper space exploration. If Danuri’s launch can present not only public interest but also a vision, I believe the future of Korea’s space development will be bright.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.