The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) announced on the 27th that it held a ceremony marking the first Aerospace Day at its temporary headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. On the same day in the afternoon, a proclamation ceremony for Aerospace Week was held at the National Gwacheon Science Museum in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Aerospace Day, designated as a national commemoration day, was established to mark the founding of the Korea Aerospace Administration on May 27, 2024. Around 150 key figures and officials from the government, National Assembly, industry, academia, research institutes, and related organizations attended the Aerospace Day ceremony in Sacheon. An award ceremony was also held to honor individuals who contributed to the advancement of aerospace.
A total of six government commendations were awarded: one Order of Science and Technology Merit, one Science and Technology Merit Medal, two Presidential Commendations, and two Prime Minister's Commendations. The Order of Science and Technology Merit (Innovation Class) was awarded to Park Young-deuk, former director of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, for contributing to the development of national space technology by developing a high-resolution spectroscopic imaging system using purely domestic technology and proving the feasibility of formation flying with nanosatellites for the first time in the world.
The Science and Technology Merit Medal was awarded to Ee-Eul Kim, CEO of Satrec Initiative, for contributing to the advancement of Korea's aerospace technology by developing the world's highest-resolution commercial Earth observation satellite and the country's first mass-produced small satellite (NeonSat-1). The Presidential Commendation went to Kim Se-yeon, senior researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), for developing the subsystem command transmission system between ground and satellite for multipurpose practical satellites and next-generation small satellites, and to Kim Kyung-hee, director at the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), for leading the development of Korea's first satellite ground station and localization of space component testing facilities.
The Prime Minister's Commendation was awarded to Kim Jung-kyun, CEO of Boryung, for enhancing the competitiveness of space medicine by supporting space medicine research and startups, and building global networks through hosting international space conferences. Another recipient was Park Doo-jin, principal engineer at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), for successfully carrying out the Nuri rocket launch mission by developing a domestic command transmission device for high-speed simultaneous imaging with high-speed digital cameras.
At the Aerospace Week proclamation ceremony held in the afternoon, a model unveiling event for the Nuri rocket took place along with an aerospace talk concert and science culture experience booths. During Aerospace Week, various space-related programs will be held, including free admission to 12 science museums and stargazing events at 13 civic observatories across the country.
KASA will directly host the aerospace talk concerts in Sacheon, Goheung, Daejeon, and Gwacheon, led by aerospace experts and science communicators. Additionally, it will organize a "Space Camp" for 70 middle school students nationwide, allowing them to visit Sacheon and Goheung to tour KASA, KAI, and the Naro Space Center, and participate in team-based space missions.
Yoon Young-bin, Commissioner of the Korea Aerospace Administration, said, "This year's Aerospace Day marks the starting point for all Korean citizens to imagine the future and possibilities of aerospace together," adding, "We will continue to support the expansion of public interest and participation in aerospace and ensure that aerospace talents are recognized and respected throughout society."