Korea AeroSpace Administration

Inauguration of the KVN Seoul National University Pyeongchang Radio ObservatoryExpected to Strengthen Astronomical and Space Observation Capabilities through the Expansion of the Korea VLBI Network KVNAdministrator Yoon Youngbin of the Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA attended the inauguration ceremony of the Korea VLBI* Network KVN Seoul National University Pyeongchang Radio Observatory hereinafter KVN Pyeongchang held at Seoul National Universitys Pyeongchang Campus on Thursday, June 12, 2025, where he extended his congratulations and words of encouragement.* Very Long Baseline Interferometry: A space radio observation technique that deploys radio telescopes at dispersed locations to achieve superior resolution equivalent to the maximum distance between the telescopes.KVN is Koreas first VLBI. By connecting four 21-meter-class radio telescopes installed in Seoul, Ulsan, Jeju, and the newly established Pyeongchang site into one network, KVN secures a maximum baseline of up to 600 km from Jeju to Pyeongchang, enabling high-resolution observations ideal for studying supermassive black holes. Moreover, KVN boasts the worlds first receiver capable of simultaneously observing multi-frequency space signals, showcasing its efficient observational capabilities.The inauguration of KVN Pyeongchang is expected to greatly contribute to strengthening Koreas astronomical and space observation capabilities. With the addition of the fourth telescope, KVN Pyeongchang, to the existing three-telescope KVN, not only has the resolving power―critical for detailed celestial observations―been enhanced, but the sensitivity to detect faint signals has also been significantly improved. Since detecting its first 230 GHz signal in December 2023, KVN Pyeongchang has installed a receiver capable of simultaneous observation on three channels, and in March of last year, it successfully detected signals by linking all four KVNs for the first time.At the ceremony, Administrator Yoon stated, Based on world-class research infrastructure like the KVN Seoul National University Pyeongchang Radio Observatory, we will spare no effort to support our young talents so that they can fully pursue their dreams and boldly expand the boundaries of human knowledge.

KASA Hosts KASA R Presenting Strategic Roadmaps and Key Achievements in Space Transportation, Satellites, and Space ScienceOutlining the Vision and Direction for National Aerospace RKASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin held the KASA R on Thursday, June 12, at the Conference Hall of the Startup Campus in Pangyo Techno Valley, Seongnam City.The event was attended by over 150 participants, including officials from KASA, key research institutions, and representatives from industry, academia, and research organizations in the aerospace sector. It served as an opportunity to share the Rs aerospace industry, present major achievements and results from preliminary research, and discuss future directions.During the briefing, three divisions under KASAs Mission Directorates―Space Transportation, Satellite, and Space Science Koreas Strategy for Space Transportation, Satellites, and Space Scienceapproved at the 3rd National Space Committee meeting in February, and aim to specify core mission xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-objectives in each area and enhance policy execution.KASA plans to focus strategic investment on key flagship projects, including: reusable launch vehicles and orbital transfer vehicles in Space Transportation Directorate; ultra-high-resolution satellites, very low Earth orbit VLEO satellites , and a multi-layered orbital navigation system in Satellites Directorate; the L4 Solar Observatory and lunar lander in Space Science KASA Handbook, and the KASA Procedural Requirements KASA-PR.The Decadal Survey is a process in which domestic experts independently establish a 10-year development strategy for the field of space science and exploration. The strategy is reviewed every five years to align with technological changes and will actively inform future policy-making. The Decadal Survey was first implemented in astronomy, and a preliminary report was released through the Korean Astronomical Society on June 2, and the final report is scheduled for publication in the second half of this year.The KASA Handbook is a manual designed for both new companies with limited experience in satellite development and existing companies, providing immediately applicable guidance for satellite projects. It includes reference guidelines and examples in an appendix to assist companies in the field.KASA-PR KASA Procedural Requirements is a xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-xss-document.that establishes standardized processes for RSecuring independent technology and transitioning to a private-sector-led structure are essential for Korea to become one of the worlds top five aerospace powers. We will provide roadmaps to expand private participation and establish a robust R He added, The journey to space cannot be completed by the government alone; it requires the collective wisdom and cooperation of industry, academia, and research organizations.

CODEX Coronagraph: Unveiling a New Face of the Solar CoronaFirst in the world to measure temperature variations in the solar corona at 3 to 8 solar radiiThe Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute KASI, President Park Jang hyun announced on Wednesday, June 11, that they have successfully captured images showing temperature and velocity data of the Suns corona. These images were obtained using observational data from the CODEX COronal Diagnostic EXperiment, a solar coronagraph jointly developed with NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration.CODEX was launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States, on November 5 of last year. It was later installed on the International Space Station, where it underwent a series of test operations before commencing full-scale observations on February 17 of this year.CODEX is an instrument that designed to observe the Suns faint outer atmosphere, known as the corona, by blocking the bright light from the solar photosphere using an occulting disk. While traditional coronagraphs could only measure the coronas density, CODEX stands out for its use of narrowband filters that enable the measurement of both temperature and velocity in the faint coronaparticularly in the region approximately 3 to 8 times the solar radii.The distributions of temperature and velocity in the solar corona, along with their temporal variations, are expected to provide valuable insights into the inflow of matter and energy that constitute the solar wind. This, in turn, is anticipated to deepen our understanding of the corona and the solar wind, and to enhance predictive models of the Suns impact on Earth.A key enabler of this achievement is the pixel-separated polarimetric camera platform technology applied to CODEX. This core technology allows for the precise separation and measurement of subtle polarization signals in high-resolution images, serving as the foundation for acquiring temperature and velocity data during this observation.John Lee, Vice administrator of the Mission Directorates at KASA, emphasized, This is a great example of the growing international cooperation in space exploration, and added, We will do our utmost to become a leading nation in solar research and space weather forecasting.

KASA Joins Global Alliance to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe- KASA Signs MoU with the Square Kilometre Array Observatory SKAO -The Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with the Square Kilometre Array Observatory* SKAO on the 27th to participate in the Square Kilometre Array SKA project.* The SKAO, headquartered in London, is the intergovernmental organization responsible for overseeing the SKA project, including telescope construction and operations, data processing and analysis, and international cooperation.Note: Unlike optical telescopes, radio telescopes detect invisible radio waves emitted by celestial bodies. They are crucial for studying obscured regions like nebulae, unusual phenomena such as black holes, and the cores of galaxies―making them essential tools for exploring the origins and evolution of the universe.Launched in 2022, the SKA project is the largest* radio astronomy initiative in history, with observatories currently under construction in Australia and South Africa. The total investment is projected to reach approximately 3 trillion KRW around USD 2.2 billion. With superior resolution, observation speed, and sensitivity compared to conventional radio telescopes, the SKA will be capable of detecting faint radio signals from the early universe. It is expected to significantly advance our understanding of cosmic origins and the search for extraterrestrial life. Twelve countries―including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, India, Canada, and Portugal―are currently full members of SKAO.* ① Medium-frequency array: 197 telescopes across a 150 km baseline in the Karoo, South Africa② Low-frequency array: about 130,000 antennas across a 74 km baseline in the Murchison desert, AustraliaKASA stated that the signing of this MoU marks an important step toward obtaining a status equivalent to that of a SKAO member state, enabling the dispatch of Korean experts to support the construction and operation of the SKA, and laying the groundwork for domestic industry participation in procurement. KASA added that this will not only strengthen its cooperation with SKAO, but also foster technological development in the domestic space industry and create new opportunities for profit.Meanwhile, KASA is currently undergoing the necessary domestic and international procedures to obtain full membership status. Once full membership is secured, Korea will gain voting rights in SKAOs key decision-making processes.Administrator Yoon remarked, This MOU marks Koreas meaningful first step toward participating in global astronomical research. Through our involvement in the SKA project, we aim to support Korean research institutes and industries in joining the global scientific ecosystem and expanding humanitys knowledge of the universe.

Korea and EU Discuss Cooperation in Space and Astronomy- John Lee, Vice Administrator of the Mission Directorates at KASA, Invites EU Member State Embassies in Korea to Visit KARI and KASIKorea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin, invited ambassodors from EU member states to Korea on Wednesday, May 28, to visit key space institutions in Korea. During the visit, the delegation toured the Korea Aerospace Research Institute KARI, President Lee Sang-cheol, and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute KASI, President Park Jang hyun, to explore domestic space facilities and discuss potential space cooperation initiatives.The visit followed up on the EU delegations tour of the Naro Space Center in February. Representatives from EU member state embassies in Korea were invited to visit major national space facilities, including KARIs Satellite Test Center, and Satellite Operation Center and KASIs Space Weather Monitoring Lab. The tour provided an overview of Koreas capabilities in satellite development, operations, and applications, along with presentations on the core missions of each research institute.Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the EU to the Republic of Korea, remarked, I was deeply impressed by Koreas world-class space infrastructure. I look forward to expanded cooperation between Europe and Korea across various areas, including the space industry and joint R John Lee, Vice Administrator of the Mission Directorates at KASA, stated, We aim to strengthen visible international cooperation with the EU and advance Koreas contributions to global space development.

KASA Holds the First Aerospace Day Commemorative EventThe First Aerospace Day Ceremony Held at KASA Headquarters in SacheonAerospace Week Proclaimed at the National Gwacheon Science MuseumAerospace Week to Feature 34 Programs Across 15 Cities and Provinces NationwideOn Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA, Administrator Yoon Youngbin held the first-ever Aerospace Day ceremony at its headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, and also hosted the launch ceremony of National Aerospace Week at the Gwacheon National Science Museum in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do.Aerospace Day is a newly designated national commemorative day, established to mark the founding of KASA on May 27, 2024. This inaugural event was organized to: celebrate the 1st anniversary of KASAs establishment, honor outstanding contributors to Koreas aerospace development, and expand public interest and participation in the field of aerospace.< Aerospace Day >In order to realize Koreas vision of becoming one of the worlds top five space powers and to lead the era of the space economy, the government has designated May 27 as a national commemorative day designated on November 25, 2024.* Aerospace Week will be observed from Monday, May 26 to Sunday, June 1, 2025, with events taking place at major aerospace facilities across the country.< Aerospace Day Commemorative Ceremony >Held at 10 a.m. in Sacheon, the commemorative ceremony was attended by more than 150 key figures from the government, National Assembly, industry, academia, research institutes, and related organizations.Government awards were presented to individuals who made outstanding contributions to aerospace development in Korea. A total of six individuals received state honors, including: 1 Order of Science and Technology Merit, 1 Science and Technology Medal, 2 Presidential Citations, and 2 Prime Ministers Citations.The Order of Science and Technology Merit Innovation Medal was awarded to Dr. Park Young-Deuk, former President of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, for developing a high-resolution spectral imaging system with domestic technology and proving the feasibility of nanosatellite formation flying―a world first.The Science and Technology Medal was awarded to Mr. Kim Ee-eul, CEO of Satrec Initiative, for developing Koreas first mass-producible microsatellite constellation NeonSat and the worlds highest-resolution commercial Earth observation satellite, greatly advancing Koreas aerospace capabilities.Presidential Citations were awarded to: Dr. Kim Se-yeon, Principal Researcher at KAIST, for developing subsystem command transmission systems between ground and satellite for multi-purpose and next-generation small satellites, and Ms. Kim Kyunghee, Head, Center for Space Component Testing at Korea Testing Laboratory, for leading the development of Koreas first satellite ground station and localizing space component test facilities.Prime Ministers Citations were awarded to: Mr. Jay Kim, CEO of Boryung Co., for enhancing Koreas space medicine competitiveness by fostering space-related startups, researchers, and hosting international space conferences, and Dr. Park Doo-jin, Principal Engineer at KARI, for developing high-speed signal transmission devices enabling synchronized high-speed photography, contributing to the successful launch of the Nuri rocket.Additionally, 20 individuals with notable contributions received the KASA Administrators Award.Later that day, at 3 p.m., the Aerospace Week Launch Ceremony was held at the Gwacheon National Science Museum, featuring: The unveiling of a life-sized model of the Nuri launch vehicle, a public aerospace talk concert, and science culture experience booths.Under the slogan Ignite the Future, Soar to Space, this week-long initiative aims to broaden public engagement with space science and culture. It includes free admission to 12 national science museums, stargazing events at 13 public observatories, and 34 major programs across 15 provinces.KASA will host Aerospace Talk Concert with experts and science communicators in Sacheon, Goheung, Daejeon, and Gwacheon, and lead a Space Camp program where 70 middle school students will tour major aerospace facilities―KASA HQ, KAI, and Naro Space Center―while completing team missions related to space exploration.Administrator Yoon remarked, This first Aerospace Day marks the beginning of a shared imagination for Koreas aerospace future. We will continue to support efforts to expand public interest and participation in aerospace, and ensure that talent in the sector is respected and nurtured.