KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES

International Workshop on Space Resources in Daejeon



International Workshop on Space Resources: Perspectives of New Entrant Space Exploration Programs was held on November 29 - December 1, 2023 in Daejeon, Korea. Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources(KIGAM, President Dr. Pyeong-Koo Lee), Korea Aerospace Research Institute(KARI, President Dr. Sang-ryul Lee), Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology(KICT, President Dr. Byung-suk Kim) and Secure World Foundation(Executive Director Dr. Peter Martinez) co-hosted the workshop. The workshop was attended by international experts in the field of space resources including Dr. Gerald Sanders, the ISRU System Capability Lead of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), who is considered as a world leader in space resources research. During the workshop, the experts had a discussion on science technology business policies and related institutions from various countries introduced their current status of space resources programs. It was a great chance for the attendees to share their perspectives of space exploration programs and communicate each other, expecting future cooperation.

On the first day of the workshop a keynote speech on global space exploration overview was delivered by Dr. Stefaan De Mey, the Chair of the International Space Exploration Group(ISECG). He introduced the global space exploration roadmap based on space exploration plans of each countries. On top of that, he emphasized the importance of in-situ space resources utilization(ISRU) for long-term space exploration, especially for human Moon exploration. Following the speech, there were presentations on space resources related plans and activities or interests by various organizations from different countries such as KIGAM, KARI, KICT, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA), the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye(TUBITAK), Polish Space Agency(POLSA), Luxembourg Space Agency(LSA), etc.. In the afternoon, there was the first session on scientific knowledge and interests on space Resources moderated by Dr. Kyeong Ja Kim, the Head of Space Resources Exploration and Utilization Center, KIGAM. Experts from Colorado School of Mines, University of Notre Dame and Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute(SSERVI) gave presentations and had a discussion on them. During the second session, technology experts from NASA, European Space Resources Innovation Centre(ESRIC) and Tamer Space made presentations on ISRU technologies. After the presentations, lively give-and-take about the key issues of technologies such as application plans and risk elements. The second day started with the keynote speech on NASA’s programs and activities on ISRU by Dr. Gerald Sanders. After the keynote, there were the third session on private sector drivers of space resources activities and the fourth session on policy and governance issues in space resources. On the last day of the workshop, starting with breakout groups instructions, the workshop ended with discussions on future cooperation and next steps.

Meanwhile, Korea is actively furthering ISRU research now. KIGAM has developed Gamma-Ray Spectrometer onboard the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter(KPLO, Korean name: Danuri). In 2023 January, KIGAM created Space Resources Exploration and Utilization Center for more professional space resources research, and continues to conduct related projects actively.