's space agency, called Korea Aerospace Research Institute, together with NASA produced a lunar orbiter feasibility study in July 2014. The two agencies signed an agreement in December 2016 where NASA will collaborate with one science instrument payload, telecommunications, navigation, and mission design. The Korean Lunar Exploration Program is divided in two phases. Phase 1 is the launch and operation of KPLO, which will be the first lunar probe by South Korea, meant to develop and enhance South Korea's technological capabilities, as well as map natural resources from orbit. The key goals of the KPLO orbiter mission include investigation of lunar geology and space environment, exploration of lunar resources, and testing of future space technology which will assist in future human activities on the Moon and beyond. The launch is expected in 2022. Phase 2 will include a lunar orbiter, a lunar lander, and a 20 kg rover, to be launched together on a KSLV-IISouth Korean rocket from the Naro Space Center, in 2025.
Objectives
The main objectives of this mission are to enhance the South Korean technological capabilities in the ground and in outer space, and to "increase both the national brand value and national pride". The specific technological objectives are:
Produce a topographic map for support to select future lunar landing sites, and to survey lunar resources such as water ice, uranium, helium-3, silicon, and aluminium.
From the lunar science perspective, understanding the water cycle on the Moon is critical to mapping and exploitation. Solar wind protons can chemically reduce the abundant iron oxides present the lunar soil, producing native metal iron and a hydroxyl ion that can readily capture a proton to form water. Hydroxyl and water molecules are thought to be transported throughout the lunar surface by mysterious unknown mechanisms, and they seem to accumulate at permanently shadowed areas that offer protection from heat and solar radiation.
Science payload
KPLO carries six science instruments with a total mass of approximately. Five instruments are from South Korea and one from NASA:
Lunar Terrain Imager will take images of probable landing sites for the 2nd stage lunar exploration mission and special target sites of the lunar surfaces with a high spatial resolution.
Wide-Angle Polarimetric Camera will acquire the polarimetric images of the entire lunar surface except for the polar regions with medium spatial resolution in order to investigate the detailed characteristics of lunar regolith.
KPLO Magnetometer is a magnetometer that will measure the magnetic strength of the lunar environment with ultra-sensitive magnetic sensors.
KPLO Gamma Ray Spectrometer is a gamma-ray spectrometer that will investigate the chemical composition of lunar surface materials within a gamma-ray energy range from 10 keV to 10 MeV, and map their spatial distribution.
Originally planned for a December 2018 launch, KPLO is now scheduled for a July 2022 launch on a Falcon 9 rocket. The orbiter will perform at least three highly elliptical orbits of Earth, each time increasing its velocity and altitude until it reaches escape velocity, initiating a trans-lunar injection. After launch, it will take the spacecraft about one month to reach the Moon. The spacecraft's main propulsion is from four 30-newton thrusters, and for attitude control it uses four 5-newton thrusters.
