This presentation provides an overview of South Korea’s first lunar exploration mission, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), also known as Danuri. Launched on August 4 (KST), 2022, KPLO marked South Korea’s first successful attempt to send an orbiter to the Moon, representing a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. The primary objectives of the KPLO mission include conducting scientific lunar observations, testing space technologies, and demonstrating South Korea’s capability for deep space exploration.

In this session, we will discuss the development and operation process of Danuri, followed by the results achieved from its scientific payloads so far. We will also share the lessons learned throughout all phases of the KPLO mission. Key topics will include programmatic and technical challenges, collaboration with NASA, and experiences from the KPLO operation. These discussions will provide valuable perspectives on our current space exploration capability and contribute to preparing South Korea’s future space exploration endeavors.