Representative academic organizations in the domestic space field have urged the expeditious promotion of the Apophis proximity exploration project.
The Korean Society for Space Science, the Society of Aerospace Engineering, the Korean Astronomical Society, and the Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences agreed to sign a declaration of support for the Apophis exploration project on the 20th.
The Apophis exploration project is a space exploration project planned by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and the National Defense Science Institute for the asteroid Apophis, which will approach the Earth at a distance of regarding 31600 km on April 14, 2029 (Korean Standard Time).
Apophis passes over the Earth at a closer distance than the clairvoyant satellite, which is a very rare phenomenon that occurs only once in 20,000 years, and the scientific community is paying attention.
The four societies emphasize the importance of securing technological assets and strategic technologies to be used in future industries, including navigation, guidance, and control, through the Apophis exploration project.
According to the proposal of overseas researchers from the Astronomical Institute, which is in charge of the project, since June of last year, the Apophis mission support website was opened on the Astronomical Institute’s web site, and 125 domestic astronomers, space scientists, and space engineers have signed it. 104 asteroid researchers from overseas, including the United States, are also participating in the signing.
Park Jeong-seon, president of the Society of Aerospace Systems Engineering, said, “In the new space era, we are witnessing a huge transformation in the industry, academia, and research ecosystems in the overseas space sector. It will be difficult to achieve the expected mission objectives.”
“Considering the scientific and technological value of the project and the urgency of starting the project, we have agreed to adopt a declaration of support to express support for the project and to suggest the government’s expeditious promotion of the project,” said Park Myung-koo, president of the Astronomical Society.
By Lee In-hee, staff reporter leeih@etnews.com
