Korea's Science and Technology Beyond Earth Reaches the Moon... Danuri Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit (Comprehensive)

Confirmed Successful Lunar Orbit Insertion at 6 PM Yesterday
Russia, USA, Europe, and Now the World's 7th
Onboard Computer and Attitude Control Sensors Operating Normally

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Oh Sooyeon] South Korea's first lunar orbiter, 'Danuri' (KPLO·Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter), has successfully entered lunar orbit. This achievement came 145 days after its launch from the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 5. With this, South Korea has become the seventh country to explore the moon, following Russia, the United States, Japan, Europe, China, and India.

On the 28th, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced that they confirmed Danuri's successful final entry into lunar orbit at 6 p.m. the previous day.

Oh Tae-seok, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "South Korea's science and technology have reached beyond Earth to the moon," adding, "Danuri, which departed Earth on August 5, arrived at the moon after 145 days of navigation. Now, South Korea has taken its first step in space exploration history as the world's seventh lunar exploration nation."

He explained, "The development process of Danuri, which was our first challenge, was not smooth. We faced several technical issues, such as an increase in the orbiter's weight, and revised the project plan twice. Earlier this year, just before shipping to the U.S., due to the impact of the Ukraine war, we could not secure a large aircraft to transport Danuri to the launch site, so we had to remake a small container sized for a commercial airplane," describing the launch process.

He continued, "Despite various trials and errors, our researchers pooled their wisdom and resolved the issues wisely. I thank the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, research institutions, company officials, and scientists who have devoted sweat and passion to Danuri's development over a long period, as well as the public who supported us so that these efforts could bear fruit."

Danuri performed a 'mission orbit insertion maneuver' using thrusters to reduce its speed and settle into the third lunar mission orbit. As a result, it is orbiting the target lunar mission orbit at a speed of approximately 1.62 km/s, completing one revolution about every two hours.

All of Danuri's onboard systems, including the onboard computer and attitude control sensors, are operating normally. The remaining fuel for next year's mission (93 kg out of a total of 260 kg) has also been confirmed to be sufficient.

Danuri will adjust its attitude so that its payload faces the lunar surface and conduct lunar surface exploration throughout next year. First, by the end of January next year, it will perform payload performance verification and correct errors and distortions.

From February onward, it will carry out full-scale scientific and technological missions, including lunar surface polarization imaging, magnetic field and radiation observations, and verification of space internet technology. In particular, the high-resolution camera images of the lunar surface will be used to select landing candidate sites for the lunar lander scheduled for 2032.

Kim Daegwan, head of KARI's lunar exploration project team, said, "Starting in February next year, we will begin full-scale mission operations, and based on the operational status and remaining fuel at that time, we will decide whether additional missions are possible." He added, "In January, while testing and inspecting Danuri's equipment, we expect to be able to show the public images of the moon."

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