Enhancing reliability and efficiency of flight dynamics systems for planetary exploration through KPLO ground operation experience

This work proposes improving the Flight Dynamics (FD) operational system for future planetary missions using insights gained from the real-flight experience of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) mission. The KPLO, also known as Danuri, is South Korea's first lunar explorer launched on August 4, 2022 UTC, and is currently successfully conducting its mission around the Moon. The KPLO FD specialists (FDSp) worked extensively on designing, developing, verifying, validating, and operating the FD-related ground system, currently in nominal condition without major issues. After a year of real-flight experience, FDSp identified areas in architecture and functionality that require further improvement, specifically focusing operational reliability and efficiency. This work first provides an overview of KPLO's bus and ground system, subsequently presenting the design architecture and corresponding functionalities of the FD-related ground systems. Following that, suggestions for improving the design and functionality of FD-related ground systems are made, with in-depth discussions to enhance operational reliability and efficiency for future planetary missions. The results from this work can serve as valuable guidelines for the design and operation of FD ground systems in planetary exploration missions, facilitating more efficient and reliable FD operations.