Oh Tae-seok, Administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), traveled to the United States to strengthen cooperation with major space powers including the US and Europe.
According to KASA on Monday, Oh attended the 41st Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs on Sunday (local time). The world’s largest space industry event, held annually in Colorado, brings together global leaders and key figures to share the latest trends, build networks, and discuss visions for future space exploration technologies.
In his first official engagement, Oh met with Acting US Assistant Secretary of State John Thompson to discuss bilateral space technology cooperation and measures to support private space industry development. He also successfully held his first meeting with Jared Isaacman, the new NASA Administrator who took office last December. The two agency heads agreed to identify joint projects in space exploration at the earliest opportunity and further solidify the Korea-US space alliance.
Oh also met with Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, agreeing to strengthen comprehensive partnerships in areas including space transportation, low-Earth orbit satellite communications, and satellite data analysis using artificial intelligence.
In an upcoming meeting with Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, Oh plans to discuss concrete measures for satellite tracking support using both agencies’ deep space antennas and cooperation on ground-based data transmission and reception.
“The Republic of Korea has now reached the point where it must establish its position as a first mover in shaping the global space order,” Oh said. “I will do my utmost to ensure KASA plays a central role in leading global space governance through strategic partnerships with the world’s major space powers.”