About 60 people from the US Embassy in Korea, the Korea Astronomical Research Institute and related research institutes and companies participated.
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The Smart Space and Defense Convergence Research Institute of Kyung Hee University held the 6th meeting of the K-Space Working Group on the 19th. Photo = Kyunghee University |
[대학저널 김주원 기자]The Smart Space and Defense Convergence Research Institute of Kyung Hee University announced that it held the 6th K-Space Working Group meeting on December 19 at the central library conference room.
Established in September of this year, the Smart Space and Defense Convergence Research Institute has held five meetings prior to full-scale activities to discuss the direction of development. The theme of the 6th meeting was ‘Seeking global government-industry-academia cooperation in the era of the space economy’. In addition to researchers from Kyunghee University, about 60 people from the US Embassy in Korea, the Korea Astronomy and Space Research Institute, related research institutes and companies participated, showing keen interest.
The main contents of discussion at this meeting were △introduction of the space industry and policies of the US Embassy △current status and introduction of the domestic space industry △discussions on revitalization of the space industry between Korea and the US. Vice President Kwon Oh-byung explained to the attendees the history of Kyung Hee’s challenge to space and explained the reason for the establishment of the Smart Space and Defense Convergence Research Institute. Vice President Kwon introduced this research institute as a research institute that combines ‘direct space industry’ and ‘indirect space industry’. The direct space industry is a field that develops basic satellites and payloads for space exploration, and the indirect space industry includes space economy and management, space medicine, and space tourism.
Increased interest in the indirect space industry, striving for excellence in related fields
Vice President Oh-Byung Kwon said, “Competition to develop space sovereignty among countries is intensifying. In Korea, the era of the space economy is now opening with the Space Development Promotion Act and the declaration of the establishment of the Korea Aerospace Administration,” he said. “For the time being, most of the investment will be in the direct space industry. You can excel in any field,” he said.
Kyung Hee’s space capabilities are well known. Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbit (KPLO), Korea’s first lunar probe that successfully entered lunar orbit, was equipped with a magnetic field measuring device developed by Kyung Hee. In addition, the Department of Space Science participates in the ‘Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)’ hosted by NASA to develop a lunar space environment monitor mounted on an unmanned lunar probe scheduled for launch in 2024.
Professor Park Soo-jong of the Department of Space Exploration introduced the operational status and future plans of the K-Space Working Group. Professor Park said, “As a space researcher, the space I thought of was a direct industry. While participating in the K-Space Working Group, I first thought about indirect space industries such as space management,” he said. “Convergence research creates new synergies. Looking into the future, I am contemplating what role our university can play and whether it can lead the space industry.”
Lee Boo-yeon, director of the US Embassy in Korea, made a presentation on US space policy. He emphasized the importance and solidity of the ROK-US alliance and revealed the current status of cooperation and technology development of related organizations around the world. Lee Jae-jin, director of the Korea Astronomical Research Institute, introduced a cooperative project between Korea and NASA. Director Lee emphasized, “The Korea Astronomical Research Institute is the most actively cooperating with NASA among national institutions,” and explained various projects to explore the mystery of the birth of the universe.
After the presentation, a free discussion on the space industry’s cooperation between Korea and the United States continued. Topics include △Measures to promote cooperation between Korea and the US in space exploration △Measures for global industry-university cooperation in the space industry △Measures for cooperation between Korea and the US to nurture manpower related to the space industry.
[ⓒ 대학저널. 무단전재-재배포 금지]