Post Trajectory Insertion Performance Analysis of Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter Using SpaceX Falcon 9

• DOI: 10.5140/jass.2023.40.3.123
• Publication Date: 2023-09-18T06:53:35Z
• Authors: Young-Joo Song; Jonghee Bae; SeungBum Hong; Jun Bang; Donghun Lee
• Keywords: Orbiter; Pathfinder; Orbit (dynamics); Separation (statistics)

This paper presents an analysis of the trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), first lunar exploration spacecraft Republic Korea. The successful launch conducted on August 4, 2022 (UTC), utilized SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. plays a crucial role in ensuring overall mission success by directly influencing spacecraft’s onboard fuel consumption. Following separation vehicle (LV), comprehensive was performed KPLO flight dynamics (FD) team. Both orbit parameter message (OPM) and determination (OD) solutions were employed using deep space network (DSN) tracking measurements. As result, accurately inserted into ballistic transfer (BLT) trajectory, satisfying all requirements at target interface point (TIP), including injection energy per unit mass (C3), right ascension apoapsis vector (RAV), declination (DAV). precise BLT facilitated smoother operation KPLO’s remainder phase enabled utilization reserved fuel, consequently significantly enhancing possibilities extended mission.