New Release Danuri (KPLO)

[BrianJ]

Danuri (KPLO)


S.Korea's pathfinder Lunar orbiter, due to launch this evening (04 August 2022) at 23:08 UTC, on Falcon9.
Another mission using a lengthy but fuel-efficient WSB/BLT trajectory to go to the Moon.

WSB/BLT can save dV 160m/s at LOI (except not for me in Orbiter, since I use about that much dV correcting the approach to LOI ! )
Unlike Capstone mission, which required a NRHO orbit at the Moon, the operational orbit for Danuri is ~100km circular, 90deg inclination, and is not so difficult to achieve in Orbiter

I'm looking forward to watching the launch later this evening. Hope all goes well

Cheers,
Brian

P.S. I see Wikipedia got the spacecraft dry mass wrong - it really is ~418kg

 

[Kyle]

Great work, Brian!

 

[BrianJ]

Thanks Kyle
After Grail and Capstone, and now Danuri, I think I'm starting to get the hang of these WSB/BLT trajectories.
Note: Wikipedia also has the wrong launch strategy - no 3.5 phasing loops around Earth. It's a direct TLI to WSB/BLT by Falcon9.
Cheers,
Brian

 

[BrianJ]

Nice launch - great to see Danuri safely on it's way

No end of confusion in the media about this spacecraft and how its going to the Moon....

SpaceX launches Danuri, South Korea's first mission to the Moon - NASASpaceFlight.com

SpaceX has launched South Korea’s first mission to the Moon on Thursday. A flight-proven Falcon…

www.nasaspaceflight.com

After another coast phase, Falcon released the spacecraft to begin its journey to the Moon. Using the BLT, its orbit will have reached an apogee near the Earth/Moon Lagrange Point 1 (L1). As it approaches L1, the Lunar gravitational pull will help to boost the spacecraft on its way to the Moon. Danuri will use its onboard propulsion to maneuver itself into lunar orbit. The BLT transfer profile is similar to the one being used by NASA’s CAPSTONE mission, which will reach lunar orbit in November.

 

[Ajaja]

Using the BLT, its orbit will have reached an apogee near the Earth/Moon Lagrange Point 1 (L1). As it approaches L1, the Lunar gravitational pull will help to boost the spacecraft on its way to the Moon.

OMG, and it's nasaspaceflight.com

 

[BrianJ]

Update: v.220807
New post-launch scenario using Horizons data for actual launch date.
Small change to mesh (square main engine thrust plate).

 

[Arvil]

If you have the information source, you can update the Wikipedia article and correct it.