Global conference on space research opens in Busan

Yoon Young-bin, head of Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). [Photo by Yonhap]

A global conference on space research kicked off in Busan, South Korea, on Monday, with the aim of fostering international scientific research in space.

About 3,000 space scientists and industry officials from some 60 countries attended the 45th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). The conference will run for nine days until Sunday.

This is the first time that Korea is hosting the biennial academic event in the field of space science.

At the opening ceremony, Yoon Young-bin, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), which launched in May 2024, emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in space science and exploration.

“It is significant that key figures from various countries are gathering to share their visions at the world’s largest space science forum organized by Korea,” Yoon said. “We will actively pursue international cooperation to become an influential member of the global space community.”

Yoon also hosted a Space Agency Roundtable on the same day, which was attended by Pam Melroy, deputy administrator of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Hitoshi Kuninaka, director general of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, and LI Guoping, chief engineer of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

At the meeting, Yoon explained the background of KASA’s establishment and presented its major plans, along with Korea’s space development achievements, such as the launches of the Danuri, Korea’s first lunar orbiter, and its homegrown rocket Nuri.

Yoon also introduced KASA’s four main research areas, including space transportation, satellites, space exploration, and future aviation, and expressed Korea‘s commitment to playing an important role in global partnerships.

The U.S.’s Melroy also emphasized the necessity of international cooperation to sustain the space industry.