Results and Lessons Learned from the Operation of a Cubesat for the Microgravity Science Mission with Shared Ground Stations

Currently, investigations in microgravity environments are carried out in a variety of applications, including drop towers, where experiments can be performed for short periods of time, and space stations, where time is not limited. However, producing a microgravity environment for long-term scientific research requires huge development expenditures and efforts. As a result, if the microgravity experiment is carried out on a cubesat, the variety of scientific studies will likely increase even more due to its low cost. The Korea Microgravity Science Laboratory (KMSL) cubesat, which has these features, is a satellite that has carried out microgravity science missions. On March 22, 2021, the KMSL satellite was launched by a Soyuz2.1a from Baikonur in Kazakhstan and operated normally for nearly two months. This article presents results and lessons gained for successfully completing science missions in microgravity based on the KMSL satellite's operational experience.