The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter Danuri entered its orbit 100 km above the moon. Its moon observation mission is scheduled to start in February. It is currently revolving around the moon at a speed of 1.62 km per second.
This month, payload performance check will be conducted along with error and distortion correction. Then, the payload will be directed towards the moon and the observation will be conducted for the rest of this year.
The orbiter is equipped with six observation devices, including a gamma-ray spectrometer of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. It is to explore mineral resources of the moon. Another is a high-resolution camera of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, which is to seek for a site where South Korea’s lunar module will land in 2032.