This is a computer-genereated image of Korea's first lunar orbiter Danuri conducting its mission in space.
By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae
Photos = Korea Aerospace Research Institute
The nation's first lunar orbiter is named "Danuri."
The name is a portmanteau of the Korean words for dal (moon) and nuri (enjoy). The moniker implies the wish for the craft to return after orbiting the moon without leaving anything behind for success in the nation's first lunar exploration.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on May 23 announced Danuri as the orbiter's official name after holding a national contest.
Danuri is slated to be sent to space on Aug. 3 at 8:33 a.m. (Korean Standard Time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the U.S. state of Florida on the rocket Space X Falcon 9. The last stage of testing under space environment conditions has been completed for launch, and final preparations to move the orbiter to the launch site are underway.
Danuri will fly toward the moon for 4 1/2 months and enter in December an orbit 100 km above the moon. Using its six payloads including a high resolution camera and magnetic field measuring equipment, the orbiter will conduct missions for 18 months such as exploring sites for moon landings, conducting scientific research on the moon and verifying space internet technology.
The month-long competition to name the orbiter early this year attracted 62,719 entries. The name "Danuri" was suggested by Ha Tae-hyun, 26, a doctorate student in new materials engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. He will get the opportunity to watch the launch firsthand at Cape Canaveral of the U.S.
Staff of Korea Aerospace Research Institute's center for satellite assembly gather for final preparations to relocate the Danuri lunar orbiter to the launch site.
km137426@korea.kr