The Korea AeroSpace Administration marked the 3rd anniversary of the launch of Danuri, Korea's first lunar orbiter, by announcing the observational results on the 5th. The event featured participation from researchers at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), and Kyung Hee University, to share the observational achievements through the operation of Danuri.
Launched on Aug. 5, 2022, Danuri, which is celebrating its 3rd anniversary this year, is expected to conduct more active observations until 2027 through two mission extensions following a successful initial mission. On Feb. 19 of this year, it lowered its altitude to 60 km to conduct closer observations of the lunar surface, and it plans to maintain its observational mission by transitioning to a "frozen orbit" on Sept. 24, which allows for long-term orbit maintenance without additional fuel consumption.
The high-resolution camera (LUTI) mounted on Danuri is securing images of potential landing sites for Korea's lunar lander, which is set to be launched in 2032. The observational data will be used in future landing site selections. The wide-field polarization camera (PolCam) is in the process of creating a polarization map of the lunar surface by completing a global map of the Moon.
The gamma-ray spectrometer (KGRS) has created maps of naturally occurring radioactive elements (uranium, thorium, potassium) over the entire lunar surface, as well as a neutron map and an estimated water map of the polar regions. Maps of major elements such as oxygen, iron, aluminum, and calcium, which are the main components of the lunar surface, are currently being produced.
The magnetometer (KMAG) has completed a world-class precision magnetic field map of regions like the Liner gamma region, where the lunar surface's magnetic field is notably strong. Based on this, it is conducting research on the space environment, dynamo formation and evolution, and the internal structure of the Moon using magnetic observation data. Dynamo formation refers to the theory suggesting that liquid iron moving within the Moon in the past may have generated its magnetic field.
The ShadowCam of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully captured images of the permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles, which are areas of international interest and high potential for ice presence.
The observational data from Danuri is being made available through the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's scientific data management and disclosure system, the KARI Planetary Data System (KPDS), and is being actively utilized in both domestic and international lunar-related research.
The observational data obtained during the three-year mission extension of Danuri is being used as foundational data for research on lunar topography, environment, and resources. So far, more than 30 domestic and international academic papers have been published, reflecting ongoing proactive research by Korean researchers utilizing Danuri data.
Kang Kyung-in, head of the Korea AeroSpace Administration's space exploration division, said, "Utilizing the observational data secured through Danuri, we expect that the roles of domestic researchers will grow in selecting landing sites for lunar landers, understanding the lunar environment, and establishing a foundation for international collaborative research. We plan to further expand the realm of space exploration using the scientific achievements obtained through the mission extension of Danuri."