Astrodynamics Research Team
Department of Astronomy and Space Science
Space mission realization for lunar, planetary, asteroid, and deep-space exploration.
“A great discovery solves a great problem, but there is a grain of discovery in the solution of any problem. Your problem may be modest, but if it challenges your curiosity and brings into play your friends, and if you solve it together, you may experience the tension and enjoy the triumph of discovery.”
Trajectory design that exploits the natural architecture of space. Research areas include manifold dynamics, multi-body environments in the Earth-Moon and Sun-Earth systems, Lagrange-point pathways, ballistic lunar transfers, and resonance orbit structures that reveal mission opportunities beyond conventional two-body design.
Optimization strategies that transform complex mission concepts into executable flight trajectories. Research topics span low-thrust and impulsive maneuver design, gravity-assist sequencing, homotopy-based optimization, resonance-transition design, and control-surface analysis for deep-space, lunar, and heliophysics missions.
End-to-end mission architectures that connect theory, computation, and operations. Mission concepts include asteroid reconnaissance and kinetic impact, long-term magnetosphere science orbits, heliophysics missions from Lagrange regions, lunar transfer systems, and practical spacecraft operations strategies for future exploration.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences
jinsung.lee@khu.ac.krThe lab welcomes motivated students interested in astrodynamics, trajectory optimization, orbital mechanics, planetary defense, and space mission design.
Ask about opportunitiesManuscript in Preparation
Develops a pairwise cloud-top-shell visibility framework for Venus atmospheric stereo observation, assessing eccentric 4.5-day Venus orbits, relative phasing, geometric visibility, and science-usable observation duration.
Under Review
Proposes a propulsion-assisted resonant-orbit sequencing strategy for the KHIWI mission concept, using low-perigee Earth-Moon resonance arcs to preserve useful magnetosphere viewing geometry over long-duration science operations.
Manuscript in Preparation
Presents a preliminary asteroid impact and Earth-return architecture: departing Earth, performing a 2005 YU3 flyby or retargeting maneuver, impacting 524522 Zoozve, and returning ejecta material to Earth for sample-return analysis.
Under Review
A dual-target planetary-defense architecture combining reconnaissance of 2024 YR4 with a kinetic impact mission to 2021 PC7.
Under Review
Baseline model and numerical studies for 3D cell-based analysis of low Earth orbit collision environments.
Under Review
Optimization framework for lunar logistics campaigns using resonance orbits, hybrid propulsion, and commodity-level mission planning.
Advances in Space Research
Advances in Space Research
Acta Astronautica
Space Weather
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
2026 Spring
Undergraduate course in orbital mechanics and spacecraft flight dynamics.
Department of Astronomy and Space Science / School of Space Research
