Until December 29 last year, Korea’s first space probe ‘Danuri’ landed in the orbit of the moon mission, there was a research institute that remained as nervous as the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, which led the development of the probe. The ‘wide field polarization camera (Polcam)’ loaded on Danuri was made by the Korea Astronomy and Space Research Institute. This camera, developed by the Astronomy Research Institute, is a device capable of observing the topography of the moon, and has attracted much attention from the scientific world around the world to the extent that it has been evaluated as a ‘tool explore which will make a new period of observing the moon’ by the international journals Science and Nature. Until now, lunar observations made in lunar orbit have been made with photometric or spectroscopic probes. Because this was the first observation of polarization, the world’s scientific community expected that new observational data would be obtained.
On January 27, 2018, Youngdeuk Park, director of the Astronomical Research Institute, who met at the Yuseong-gu Astronomy Center in Daejeon, showed excitement at Danuri’s success. Director Park emphasized, “Until now, space exploration was in the area of low Earth orbit or geostationary orbit, but now we are turning our eyes to deep space like the moon or Mars.”
Director Park emphasized that the competitiveness of the Korean space industry depends on payloads such as wide-field polarization cameras. Although the gap between launch vehicles and developed countries in space is already large, President Park believes that there is an opportunity for Korea as there are infinite possibilities for payloads including observation equipment.
“I think Korea can do well in payload technology,” he said. “If we set a goal that other countries haven’t thought of in deep space exploration, we can go ahead as a leader.” He stressed, “In terms of the payload, Korea can export reverse technology,” and “it can be the best.”
The following is a question and answer session with Director Park.
-Last year, Korean space science and technology showed remarkable growth. What was Chun Moon-yeon’s role?
“There were two big space events last year in Korea. One is the success of Nuriho, and the other is the success of Danuri. It was during this time that Cheonmunyeon really contributed to the development of space. Observation equipment installed on Danuri was built around Cheonmunyeon. Meanwhile, space exploration has been in the area above the earth, such as low orbit or geostationary orbit, but now we are turning our eyes to deep space such as the moon or Mars. Cheonmunyeon can be seen subject to deep space exploration. “
-The Danuri had a wide field polarization camera. When will the results be published?
“We are receiving data from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, but the payload is currently operating normally. Like the ShadowCams developed by NASA and installed on Danuri, if good pictures come out, they will be analyzed and published at a certain time. We have not decided on a time to reveal it immediately.”
The Institute of Astronomy Research, which successfully installed observation instruments on the Korean lunar orbiter Danuri, is developing various payloads. CLPS, a sub-project of the US Artemis programme, is currently the largest undertaking. CLPS includes the ‘Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM)’, ‘Lunar Magnetic Field Detector (LSMAG)’, ‘Lunar Space Radiation Detector (LVRAD)’ developed by the Astronomical Research Institute, and ‘GrainCams’ payloads which’ n analysis of lunar surface particles. is put in
-Participate in CLPS led by NASA. How is the development going?
“This is the plan that Chun Moon-yeon pays the most attention to. It is to load astronomical kite payloads onto commercial launch vehicles in the United States, and development is in full swing. A total of four payloads are to be developed. LUSEM, capable of analyzing the lunar space environment, is being developed with the Department of Space Engineering at Kyung Hee University. NASA has finally decided to give CLPS LUSEM.
A microscope is a type of microscope that can see the fine structure of dust or soil on the surface of the moon. Grain Camps is entirely developed by Cheon Moon-yeon. LVRAD is an instrument that measures the amount of radiation astronauts will be exposed to in space, and LSMAG is an instrument that measures the moon’s magnetic field. However, NASA has not made a final decision on the use of payloads other than LUSEM. “
– The level of payload technology in Korea has also improved.
“I believe we still have a long way to go in the area of payloads. Countries such as Israel, Belgium, and Switzerland have also developed a great deal towards payloads. However, I think Korea can do well in payload technology in the future. it can be the best If we set goals that other countries have not thought of in deep space exploration, we will be able to lead the way. In this regard, Korea can export technology in the field of payloads. “
As well as developing payloads, the Astronomy Research Institute observes the universe in various ways. On earth, astronomical phenomena are observed through radio telescopes, optical telescopes, and radar. On the 9th of last month, when NASA’s artificial satellite fell, the Astronomical Research Institute was the space environment monitoring agency that calculated the path over the Korean Peninsula and monitored the fall. This year, it plans to apply for a preliminary feasibility study to promote the installation of a space object surveillance radar that can more precisely monitor space objects.
The Nuri’s third launch vehicle, scheduled for May this year, will include the ‘Toyosat’ nanosatellite developed by the Astronomy Research Institute. Toyosat is the first nanosatellite developed to fly in formation with a total of four units. In August last year, a vacuum chamber was built to test the SPHEREx outdoor space telescope, which is being developed by NASA, in a space-like environment. If you participate in the next generation space telescope, the SphereX Project, you can quickly use the results obtained from the SphereX in the future.
-This year, the Toyosat nanosatellite will be launched. How do you plan your mission implementation?
“Toyosat is characterized by a total of four nanosatellites flying in formation at an altitude of 500 km. It takes about 9 hours to go around the orbit. Observations are made simultaneously by 4 units. Spatial resolution can be increased by flying in formation in a horizontal arrangement, and temporal resolution can be increased by arranging them one by one. Toyosat observes various particles in outer space. It intends to observe a solar wind or plasma bubble impacting the Earth. Although the space environment is not currently exposed, it is a very important factor in manned exploration. If Toyosaet succeeds, we expect to achieve good results in the space environment. “
-Participating in NASA’s SphereX project. What are you looking forward to?
“SphereX observes a wide range of space in infrared light. The data found here can be used to analyze the distribution of stars and galaxies, and to test cosmological theories such as the theory of the expansion of the universe. While participating in the SphereX project, I was the first to be able to use observational data. SphereX is also infrared like the James Webb Space Telescope, which seeks the origin of the universe, but the field of view is different. If we do research together, we can get good results.”
-Radio astronomy and space risk monitoring are also important areas in the Astronomy Research Institute. Do you have any notable plans for this year?
“The radio telescope in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, which will be included in the Korea Space Radio Observing Network (KVN), is expected to be completed in May this year. It is 21m in diameter, but since it is an interference telescope, it can see further when used with radio telescopes in Seoul, Ulsan, and Jeju. The radio telescope in Pyeongchang has increased observing frequency and improved receiver performance. The Astronomical Research Institute belongs to the Event Horizon Telescope (ETH) collaboration group, which is a global network, and observed a black hole in May last year. It is not known what kind of black hole the Pyeongchang radio telescope will find this year.
In response to an incident where a satellite crashed over the Korean Peninsula last month, it plans to install a radar for space surveillance. Once the radar is installed, it can theoretically detect objects as small as 10 cm. I heard that each radar costs 200 billion won. We are carrying out planning research with the Ministry of Science and ICT, and we intend to carry out a preliminary feasibility study in the second half of this year.”
-There are many policies related to space science and technology. Is there anything you wish for?
“What people who do research in the space field need is tolerance. In fact space development must fail. SpaceX failed five or six launch vehicle landing tests. They go up, then fall, then fall down, and fail, but Korea does not want to admit failure. That’s the biggest problem. If you don’t mind failing, you can boldly challenge yourself, but if you fail, you will be banned. Then who will accept the challenge? If you do it carefully, the time will be long, and if the time is long, the technology is still behind. I think we need an atmosphere where we are tolerant and admit our failures.”
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