Lunar Orbiter Danuri Completes Low Orbit Mission, Enters Frozen Orbit

Maximizing Resolution and Observation Performance Using Elliptical Orbit

The main body of the lunar orbiter Danuri, launched in August 2022 [Provided by Ministry of Science and ICT. Reproduction and database prohibited]

The Korea Aerospace Administration announced on the 24th that the lunar orbiter Danuri has completed its low-orbit mission and is performing orbital maneuvers to enter a frozen orbit.

Launched on August 5, 2022, Danuri lowered its operational altitude from 100 km to 60 km on February 19th and conducted a low-orbit mission for approximately seven months.

A frozen orbit is an elliptical orbit that can be maintained naturally without additional fuel consumption for orbital adjustments, due to the characteristics of the Moon's gravitational distribution. In Danuri's case, it will be inserted into a frozen orbit with a low altitude of 60 km and a high altitude of 200 km.

Danuri orbital change [Provided by Korea Aerospace Administration. Reproduction and database prohibited]

In the frozen orbit, additional scientific observations will be conducted, leveraging the characteristics of the elliptical orbit to improve the resolution and clarity of lunar surface images, observe changes in shadowing conditions in permanently shadowed regions of the lunar poles, and measure magnetic fields at various altitudes.

Danuri has been operating normally, including pre-charging batteries and reducing power consumption in preparation for potential power shortages during total lunar eclipses on March 14th and September 7th.

After the frozen orbit mission concludes in 2027, Danuri will secure data necessary for a lunar lander for deorbiting maneuvers and is scheduled to impact the lunar surface in January 2028.

Kang Kyung-in, Head of the Space Science and Exploration Division at the Korea Aerospace Administration, stated, "Danuri has achieved additional scientific results, such as acquiring high-resolution imagery, through its extended low-orbit mission. We expect that long-term observations in the elliptical frozen orbit will contribute significantly to the advancement of lunar science by acquiring observation data from various lunar altitudes." Yonhap News

Magnetic field strength in the Lyot crater region observed during operation at an altitude of 60 km above the Moon [Provided by Korea Aerospace Administration. Reproduction and database prohibited]