In a significant development, South Korea has announced a two-year extension of the Danuri lunar orbiter’s mission, extending its exploration period to the end of 2025.

This extension, made possible by the orbiter’s efficient fuel usage and the valuable data it has gathered, marks a pivotal moment in South Korea’s space exploration endeavors.

Originally planned as a one-year orbital exploration, the spacecraft will now continue its mission for three years, from January 2023 to December 2025.

This extension provides a unique opportunity to further scientific discoveries by enabling the team to secure more lunar surface images and conduct additional observations with magnetic field meters and gamma-ray spectrometers.

Danuri, South Korea’s first moon orbiter spacecraft, was transported to Incheon Airport in 2022 for the voyage to its launch site in Florida, USA.

Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on August 5, 2022, 8:08 AM Korean Time, Danuri embarked on a groundbreaking path to the Moon.

Using the Ballistic Lunar Transfer (BLT) trajectory to leverage the gravitational forces of Earth and the Sun, the spacecraft achieved a remarkable 25% reduction in fuel consumption.

This carefully orchestrated journey led to Danuri’s successful entry into its mission orbit on December 27, 2022, a mere 45 days post-launch.

Currently orbiting the Moon at an altitude of approximately 100 ± 30 km, Danuri completes an orbit roughly every two hours.

Since February 2023, the spacecraft has been executing 12 orbits daily, 100 km above the lunar surface.

Its primary mission, now extended, involves exploring potential landing sites for South Korea’s upcoming lunar lander, slated for launch in 2030.

Using the high-resolution camera “Lunar Terrain Imager” (LUTI), a marvel of Korean Aerospace Research Institute (“KARI”) engineering, Danrui aims to analyze 40 out of 49 potential landing spots.

The spacecraft’s first achievement came on September 1, 2022, when the LUTI captured its inaugural photo of the Earth and the Moon from 1.24 km away.

The data acquired by Danuri will be instrumental in producing 3D terrain images of lunar landing sites and creating detailed lunar surface elements and resource maps by 2026.

This information is crucial not only for future lunar exploration but also for researchers engaged in innovative convergence research.

Furthermore, in line with these developments, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to establish a space exploration data system by 2026.

This system aims to efficiently manage and analyze data from future space explorations, including missions to the Moon, Mars, and asteroids.

The ministry’s call for public support underlines the importance of the Danuri mission in advancing South Korea’s space capabilities and its role in global space exploration efforts.

All in all, the extension of the Danuri mission represents a significant leap in South Korea’s space exploration program.

By enabling longer observation periods and deeper analysis of the lunar surface, this extended mission not only enhances our understanding of the Moon but also sets the stage for more ambitious space endeavors in the future.

The success of Danuri serves as a beacon of inspiration and a testament to the potential of international collaboration in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Yuna Kim
Grade 9
Taejon Christian International School