Since 1950 in Paris, IAC has been the major international space conference. This conference is co-managed by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and International Institute of Space Law (IISL). "The successful space experiment performed by Korea's first astronaut in April of this year, was truly significant in that Korea could finally take its first step in space activities, laying the cornerstone for promoting the development of Korea's space technology, James V. Zimmerman, the president of the IAF continued, "Korea has also joined advanced space clubs within the framework of more international cooperation through the establishment of 'NARO' Space Center, the launch of KSLV-1 made using Korea's own technology, and IAC 2009 Daejeon."
The big day is on October 12 when events will kickoff lasting through the 16th at three neighboring venues: Daejeon Convention Centre, Korea Trade Exhibition (KOTREX), and Daejeion EXPO Science Park. The combined space comprises a venue where about 3,000 senior officials from space agencies & industries, as well as experts from around 60 nations, will attend to share their knowledge about the latest developments and achievements in the astronautical field. A wide variety of programs like science conferences, lectures, citizen's space festival, and space exhibitions are all set to attract many people, especially the youth.
For Korea, which seemed to show slow progress in developing its aeronautical field since the 1990s, news to host the IAC 2009 is a euphonious dinner bell to international parties. After developing the country's first science experimental satellite, KITSAT-1 (Uribyol) in the 1990s, the Republic of Korea has recently witnessed some progress in the development of a liquid-propelled science rocket and a multipurpose satellite. Its development seemed a little bit late, but Korea decided to host the IAC in 2009 so as to actively participate in space development and international cooperation, according to Mayor Park Seoung-hyo of Daejeon Metropolitan City.
Astrologers might say that Korea stepped up in the right place at the right time. Mars (action), Venus (beauty), and Jupiter (luck and happiness) are in tight alignment with IAC 2009. The year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the IAC, 40th anniversary of the first Lunar Landing, and the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) set by the United Nations. During the 60th International Astronautical Congress, the congress will run in conjunction with various science conferences, exhibitions, and social & cultural program, said Park. IAC 2009 is gearing up with keen topics, large scale entertainment, and educational exhibitions. Taking up the chance to head to IAC 2009 will give visitors the opportunity to land among the stars.
However, an egg is only an egg when it has both a white and a yolk. Without a strong theme to back up the congress itself, the space festival and exhibition would only be to give the form without the substance. Under the theme of "Space for Sustainable Peace and Progress, the subjects, including promotion of exchange and collaboration of space technology and information as well as corporate collaboration and joint businesses, will be discussed at the congress along with the topics relating to global issues, nurturing future astronauts, and promotion of world peace.
IAC 2009 is a blue October sky that has plenty of room for constellations. By all means, anyone from a specialist to an enthusiast can participate in the event. Specialists from NASA, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), European Space Agency (ESA), Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (FSA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will discuss space policy, and top leading global corporations like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Astrium, and global ST Clusters will attend the Congress to show state-of-theart space technologies. There will be exhibitions for small and medium businesses to participate, while some will choose to participate in the discussion of "Analysis and Prediction of Climate Change Using Space Basic Information" at the workshop. Young scientists and students are highly encouraged to participate in various programs. IAC 2009 is especially setting strategies to encourage the active participation of young folks. Specialists and renowned scientists will be invited to deliver special lectures on space, the moon, Mars exploration technologies, and space flights. Parts of those lectures will be open to the general public to increase public interest.
UNESCO will provide young students with a space education program, where astronauts will teach them all about space. Not only that, a multitude of events will be held to stimulate public curiosity in space and encourage the next generation to aspire to space through the programs like Young Professional Program and Young Astronauts International.
IAC 2009 Daejeon will shoot for the October sky and deliver its vision to light up the world. Along with all the satellites like the ministries and IAF, IAC 2009 will have plenty of help and help Korea to make the big jump.
Interview with Park Seoung-hyo
A: The opening ceremony will portray the birth of a Daejon as a Space City with colorful laser beams and lights. The Space Festival itself has 30 programs which anyone can attend. Space exhibitions will include space music concerts, space technology musicals, and bubble space shows. A global heritage performance, dinner show, and settings with stories will all be available at the site of IAC 2009. Imagine space families visiting from all over the world to join a special ball in a city that is a balanced combination of traditional culture and advanced technology. Thus, it is no exaggeration to call it the "Aerospace Olympics".
Q: What does IAC 2009 signify to Korea in the sense of international collaboration and global trends in the astronautical field
A: Each nation is now struggling to widely use space for wireless communication, navigation, weather forecasting, digital broadcasting, 50 years after opening the space era with the launch of Sputnik 1, the first satellite in human history. Nations and companies are not complacent with these achievements, but are carrying out some projects like disaster control, excavation and preservation of cultural heritage, expansion of a space station, development of a space telescope, sending astronauts to the Moon, and they are going even further by starting businesses, including the establishment of space hotels and commercial space trips. Space Competitors are making great efforts to gain the competitive advantage in the space era while developing space-related industries. There are, however, some areas that they can reach through technical cooperation alone in the international arena. It is none other than the IAC that enables us to promote such international cooperation.
