In 2009, NASA launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) with the mission to map the lunar surface in detail. The LRO has successfully mapped about 98.2% of the lunar surface, excluding deeply shadowed regions in the polar areas. Recently, the LRO captured images of another satellite, the Republic of Korea’s first lunar orbiter Danuri. The Danuri lunar orbiter was launched in August 2022 with the goal of developing and testing technologies, including the space internet, and creating a topographic map of the lunar surface to identify potential landing sites and resources.
NASA contributed to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s (KARI) Danuri mission by building the Shadowcam instrument that allows for imaging of the shadowed regions at the lunar poles. The collaboration between NASA and KARI showcases the collaboration between nations in space exploration. The LRO and Danuri orbiters exchanged the favor of capturing images of each other as they passed by at a combined velocity of 11,500 km/h.
During the encounter between the LRO and Danuri, the vertical separation between the two orbiters varied. In the first image, the LRO was positioned 5 km above Danuri, requiring an angle adjustment of 43 degrees to capture the Korean spacecraft. In the second orbit, only 4 km separated the two orbiters, and in the final orbit, the separation increased to 8 km with the LRO oriented at a 60-degree angle to capture Danuri. Despite the challenges, the LRO successfully captured images of Danuri as it raced across the lunar surface.
This isn’t the first time the LRO and Danuri orbiters have exchanged images. In April 2023, Danuri captured images of the LRO as it passed 18 km above, showcasing the reciprocal nature of space exploration collaborations. The collaboration between NASA and KARI highlights the importance of international partnerships in advancing space research and technology. As the missions of the LRO and Danuri continue, further opportunities for collaboration and information sharing between nations in space exploration are likely to emerge.
The images captured by the LRO of South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter serve as a testament to the ongoing success of NASA’s lunar exploration missions and the collaborative efforts between nations in advancing space exploration. The exchange of images between the LRO and Danuri highlights the importance of international cooperation in unlocking the mysteries of the lunar surface and beyond. As the missions of these two orbiters continue, the potential for further discoveries and collaborations in space exploration remains promising.
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