Researchers at Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) conduct a final review of Danuri at the institute's headquarters in Daejeon. Courtesy of KARI

By Lee Kyung-min

Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is fully prepared for a successful launch of Korea's first lunar mission, the first step in a giant leap forward into advanced space exploration, the state-run aeronautics and space agency said Tuesday.

The mission involving Danuri, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) developed by KARI, will help elevate Korea as an active participant in moon exploration alongside its global peers ― Russia, the U.S., China, Japan, the European Union and India.

Korea's limitations in technological prowess notwithstanding, the joint project with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provides enormous learning opportunities for the country, a fast learner defined by the rapid development of high-tech industries, the institute said.

Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) President Lee Sang-ryool speaks at a press conference at the institute's headquarters in Daejeon, June 3. Courtesy of KARI

"We have completed a pre-shipment review of Danuri, following extensive space environment simulation tests, as measured by extreme temperature and electromagnetic condition simulations. Also in check was multi-layer insulation technologies," KARI senior researcher Kim Dae-kwan said during a press briefing at the institute's headquarters in Daejeon, June 3.

"Danuri will leave Incheon International Airport, July 5, for Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida. If everything proceeds on schedule, Danuri will be launched to the Moon, Aug. 3, carried by SpaceX's Falcon 9, a U.S. rocket," he added.

Danuri will use, Kim added, Ballistic Lunar Transfer (BLT), a "low-energy" transfer from the Earth to the Moon using the gravity of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun. The method uses less energy and thus saves the use of fuel by about 25 percent, but takes longer to reach the destination.

The orbiter will check for stable operations of its solar panels and antenna deployments, before nine trajectory corrections over four to five months. It will arrive near lunar orbit, Dec. 16, and will begin carrying out six final missions over the course of a full year.

Korea Deep Space Antenna in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of KARI

The missions will be overseen by 60 KARI officials at the Operation Control Center, whose system is jointly operated through Korea Deep Space Antenna in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN).

The center processes command transmission and status information and carries out mission planning and trajectory determination. Data on maneuver planning, as well as payload reception and distribution, are among its responsibilities.

Officials at Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) attend a rehearsal for the Danuri launch at the Operation Control Center at the institute's headquarters in Daejeon. Courtesy of KARI

KARI President Lee Sang-ryool said the launch of Korea's first space probe is an overdue yet critical step for the country to joining the top ranks of the world's space mission explorers.

"Korea first outlined a space technology development roadmap in November 2007, but has since faced a slew of complications amid lukewarm receptions overall," Lee said. "Many have expressed skepticism and cynicism, but the meaningful mission will be remembered as a stepping stone and a cornerstone for the country's science industry. Cooperation with NASA will provide us an enormous learning and growth opportunity, helping us rapidly catch up in the high-tech area, despite a lack of both government financial support and human resources."