We are also going to an asteroid… The’Apophis Project’ begins to start

We are also going to an asteroid… The’Apophis Project’ begins to start

by
Korea's asteroid exploration mission'Apopis' project has been unveiled. [사진=이미지투데이]
Korea’s asteroid exploration mission’Apopis’ project has been unveiled. [사진=이미지투데이]

Deep space, April 2029. The asteroid’Apophis’, orbiting the solar system in a cycle of 6 to 7 years, approaches Earth closest to it. At this time, the distance between the Earth and the asteroid is only 34,000 km. Scientists have unveiled a mission to launch the probe just in time and navigate the probe in the same orbit around 10 km of the asteroid. For example, just as the relative speed becomes 0 when two cars drive at the same speed, the asteroid will be analyzed by making the navigation speed of the asteroid Apopis and the probe same (relative speed 0).

Choi Young-joon, head of the Space Science Division, Korea Astronomical Research Institute, made a presentation at the Science and Technology Future Forum on the 25th. “If we can launch an asteroid probe at the end of 26 or early 27, we can map and analyze the surface of the asteroid when Apophis gets close to Earth in 29,” said Choi. “If you put it, it will be possible to sample in 2035.”

South Korea’s mission to explore the asteroid Apopis is a turning point. NASA and the Japan Aerospace Research and Development Organization (JAXA) collected samples from the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, which are more than 300 million kilometers away, respectively, but Korean scientists said that the asteroid Apopis was 30,000 kilometers to Earth. They plan to explore when they get closer.

◆Asteroid exploration,’Comprehensive Science and Arts’

On the 25th, the head of the Korea Astronomy Institute's Space Science Division, Choi Young-jun, unveiled the asteroid'Apophis' exploration project. [사진=김인한 기자]
On the 25th, the head of the Korea Astronomy Institute’s Space Science Division, Choi Young-jun, unveiled the asteroid’Apophis’ exploration project. [사진=김인한 기자]

Apophis is a near-earth asteroid orbiting the solar system every 6 to 7 years. Apophis is estimated to be 381m, and this height is similar to the height of the Empire State Building in New York, USA. Astronomers predict that Apophis will approach on April 13, 2029, 34,000 kilometers from Earth. As you approach Earth, you get close enough to pass between the ground and geostationary satellites. For this reason, Apophis has been attracting attention as an asteroid that can collide with the Earth.

Korean scientists viewed Apophis differently. If it is an asteroid threatened with Earth impact, the possibility of exploration is also increased. According to Choi, even among scientists around the world, the idea of ​​exploration of Apophis is among the best. As such, a country expressing its will to explore Apophis can take the initiative and lead international cooperation.

Cheon Mun-yeon estimates the probe weight plan at 350 kg. It is 150 kg of fuel, 150 kg of satellites and 50 kg of payload. Optical cameras, polarizing cameras, dust detectors, magnetic field meters, and laser altimeters are expected to be mounted on the probe. Space technologies such as launch vehicle (rocket), payload, body, thruster, guidance, control, navigation, communication, ground station, and orbit calculation must be integrated in order to be able to explore the asteroid Apopis.

Because of the nature that space technology needs to be integrated, the analogy of “threading a needle in the ear of a needle outside 100km” came out when the Japanese Hayabusa2 probe successfully collected a sample of Ryugu. At the time, JAXA collaborated with 300 companies to collect samples from the asteroid Ryugu, more than 300 million kilometers away. It flew 5.2 billion kilometers in 6 years, showing off ultra-precise space science and technology.

“Space exploration is an area where science and technology capabilities must be gathered,” said Choi, the general manager. “The space exploration mission is a challenge to new knowledge and a challenge to create a path that has not existed in the world,” he said. “Through the purpose of exploring the unknown realm of space and understanding the celestial bodies, we will deliver aspirations for space to the people and future generations. I will be able to do it.”

◆ Ministry of Science and Technology’Affirmation’, Minister Choi “If there is no problem, actively review”

Minister of Science and Technology Information and Communication Choi Ki-young looked positively at the'Apophis' project that was unveiled on that day. [사진=김인한 기자]
Minister of Science and Technology Information and Communication Choi Ki-young looked positively at the’Apophis’ project that was unveiled on that day. [사진=김인한 기자]

After the announcement on the day, a panel discussion continued. Kwon Se-jin, head of the KAIST Satellite Research Institute, advised, “We are planning to explore the asteroid Apopis in 2029 and sample collection in 2035, but there is never much time,” he advised. “It will require international cooperation as well as domestic space science and technology.”

CEO Kim Yi-eul introduced the Mars exploration mission in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and emphasized policy support, saying, “It was a reckless mission because it was a goal suggested by the UAE top leader, but it was a challenge.” He said, “It is positive to involve other countries in the Apophis Mission.”

Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young viewed the Apophis project positively on this day. He said, “It is a time when the global competition for space is fierce, and it is a time when Korea should also quickly participate in space exploration,” he said. “I hope you will actively review the proposal for the asteroid Apopis exploration. Next, he asked the head of the headquarters, “If the asteroid Apopis comes close to the Earth, many countries will participate, what does it mean?” “How much is the possibility of international cooperation?”

Lee Chang-yoon, the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Giant Public Research Policy Officer, announced that he would supplement the legitimacy and mission in the national space program. He then mentioned the possibility that space exploration missions could be included in the 4th Master Plan for Space Development Promotion.

Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young and Choi Young-joon, head of the Space Science Headquarters, Moon-yeon Cheon, are talking. [사진=이영규 과학기술정보통신부 담당 제공]
Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young and Choi Young-joon, head of the Space Science Headquarters, Moon-yeon Cheon, are talking. [사진=이영규 과학기술정보통신부 담당 제공]

Below are the participants of the Science and Technology Future Forum. ▲ Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and Technology ▲ Lee Chang-yoon, Ministry of Science and Technology Giant Public Research Policy Officer ▲ Ko Seo-gon, Director of Science and Technology Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology ▲ Kim Yi-eul, CEO of Setrec Eye ▲ Choi Myung-jin, President of Hancom Inspace ▲ Kwon Se-jin, KAIST Satellite Research Institute ▲ Jin-ho Professor of Space Exploration Department, Kyung Hee University ▲ Park Byeong-gon, Vice President of the Department of Space Exploration ▲ Choi Young-joon Moon-yeon Chun, Director of Space Science Division ▲ Sang-ryul Lee, Head of Moon Exploration Project, Korea Aerospace Research Institute ▲Jewan Woo, President of the Korean Institute of Industrial Chemistry ▲Jonghae Geum, President of the Korean Mathematical Society ▲Dongsu Ryu, President of the Korean Astronomical Society ▲Keehyuk Choi, President of the Korean Academy of Space Sciences ▲Min-koo Han, President of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology ▲KISTEP (Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning) President Kim Sang-sun.

Send SNS article



Source