Event set for Wednesday and Thursday at Gyeongsang National University's Chilam Campus
Theme: 'Microsatellite Innovation and Global Partnership'
Domestic and international experts to share latest technology trends
South Gyeongsang Province will host the 2026 International Space Industry Conference at the Centennial Hall of Gyeongsang National University's Chilam Campus in Jinju from Wednesday to Thursday. Co-hosted by South Gyeongsang Province, Jinju and Sacheon, and organized by the Korea Space Technology Promotion Association and Gyeongnam Technopark, the conference is expected to draw about 300 participants from industry, academia, research institutions and government at home and abroad.
This year's conference centers on the theme "Microsatellite Innovation and Global Partnership: New Space Business and a Sustainable Space Economy," with sessions spotlighting the latest technology trends and global cooperation strategies across satellite communications, space data utilization, next-generation launch vehicles, and space exploration and resource development.
On the first day, Wednesday, the program opens with a keynote address by US speaker John Lee, followed by a space policy and global cooperation session featuring Australian Embassy Counselor Sam Hwang, Damien Ferreira of the Quebec Government Office in Canada, and Nicolette Yeo, general manager of Singapore's SST. Hanwha Aerospace, India's Astrobase and Hyundai Rotem will then take part in sessions sharing commercialization strategies for private launch vehicles.
On the second day, Thursday, sessions will cover space communications and data utilization — with participation from France's Thales Alenia Space, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and ICEYE Korea — as well as space exploration and resource extraction, featuring Luxembourg's European Space Resources Innovation Centre, US-based OffWorld and the Czech Republic's Spacemanic.
"We hope this conference will serve as an opportunity to share the latest technologies and policies in the domestic and international space industry and to strengthen global cooperation networks," said Lee Dong-hun, head of South Gyeongsang Province's Space and Aerospace Industry Division.
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