'Jicheonmyeong' Cheonmunyeon, Preparing to Lead the New Era of New Space

Held 50th Anniversary Ceremony on the 12th

On the 12th, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) held its '50th Anniversary Ceremony' at the Milky Way Hall of its headquarters and presented goals for the next 50 years.

Group photo at the 50th anniversary ceremony of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. Photo by Cheonmunyeon

KASI was launched in 1974 as the National Observatory. Compared to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, a government-funded research institute under the Space Agency established in 1989, KASI is 15 years older. If the newly established Space Agency, which was launched this year, is a newborn just over 100 days old, KASI is at the stage of 'Jicheonmyeong' (知天命), meaning it has reached a mature phase of understanding its destiny.

KASI has built medium- and large-scale astronomical observation equipment, carried out national astronomy tasks, and laid the foundation for the development of astronomy. As the only government-funded research institute for astronomy and space science in Korea, it has been identifying key astronomical and space science challenges of the 21st century through research in optical, radio, theoretical, and observational astronomy, as well as space science, while developing astronomical observation systems and core technologies.

About 150 guests, including Yoon Young-bin, Administrator of the Space Agency, Kim Bok-cheol, Chairman of the National Research Council of Science & Technology, and Jung Yong-rae, Mayor of Yuseong District, attended the ceremony.

At the 50th anniversary ceremony, appreciation plaques were awarded to distinguished contributors, and the future vision for the next 50 years, 'KASI Long-term Vision 2070,' was announced.

'KASI Long-term Vision 2070' includes four Big Questions in astronomy and space science that will change humanity’s paradigm, five future directions, and sixteen challenge goals.

In his commemorative speech, Park Young-deuk, President of KASI, stated, “Based on the vision of 'unveiling the secrets of the universe and opening the future of humanity,' KASI will actively respond to the New Space era and strive to lead Korea into the space age by leveraging its steadily prepared research and development capabilities and demonstrated achievements.”

Yoon Young-bin, Administrator of the Space Agency, said, “Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of KASI’s founding. I express my gratitude for the hard work and dedication of KASI staff. The Space Agency will create a research innovation ecosystem different from before to further strengthen KASI’s global competitiveness.”