NASA Ames explores possible collaboration with South Korea (Forwarded)

Michael Mewhinney
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. Jan. 28, 2008
650-604-3937

RELEASE: 08-07AR

NASA AMES EXPLORES POSSIBLE COLLABORATION WITH SOUTH KOREA

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA's Ames Research Center and the Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, (KAIST) South Korea's
premier research and education institution, signed a memorandum for
the record on Jan. 26, 2008, an important milestone in a new
relationship under development.

Ames' Director S. Pete Worden and KAIST President Nam Pyo Suh have
now agreed to initiate technical discussions on specific areas of
potential collaboration involving small satellite research and
development. These potential areas for future collaboration include
satellite communication, navigation systems, planetary exploration,
lunar science, rovers, small satellites and related technologies.

"We are exploring a new partnership with South Korea in future
satellite research and development," said Worden. "We are looking
forward to working with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and
Technology to advance future space exploration," Worden added.

"I am delighted with this outcome. This potential collaboration is a
historic event for KAIST as well as for NASA Ames," said Suh.

KAIST's research team, led by professor Soon-dal Choie, launched
Korea's first small satellite 'Uribyeol 1' in 1992. Since then, Korea
has launched 10 small satellites. The most advanced of these, Arirang
2, began operations in July 2006, and can distinguish objects as
small as 39.37 inches (one meter) wide on Earth's surface.

KAIST, established in 1971, currently has 442 professors teaching
approximately 8,000 students. Located in the Daedeok Research Complex
90 miles south of the capital city of Seoul, KAIST has eight research
institutes specializing in bio-engineering, information technology,
eco-energy and selected interdisciplinary areas.

For more information about KAIST, visit:
http://www.kaist.edu/edu.html

For information about NASA programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/home