COSPAR 2024: Team Spirit in Space Research
In her role as President of the Committee on Space Research, Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund attended the 45 th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Busan, Korea, held from 13 to 21 July. This prestigious event brought together more than 3,000 experts and leaders from 55 countries in all major fields of space science, under the theme “Team Spirit in Space Research”. COSPAR’s biennial Scientific Assembly, actively supported by major space organizations, is a benchmark for fostering dialogue and collaboration within the global space science community. Of particular note this time was the showcasing of the newly-formed Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), with the participation of Youngbin Yoon, Administrator of KASA, in the Opening Ceremony Roundtable. Youngbin Yoon shared his vision of the future of space activity in Korea, and the discussions on the next decade of space science programs from each agency was a highlight of the Assembly.
For the first time ever, COSPAR brought together space leaders from KASA, NASA, China National Space Administration, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ISAS/JAXA), and the UAE Space Agency. Another significant highlight of this Assembly was the introduction of COSPAR’s new community-driven Space-Weather Roadmap (https://iswat-cospar.org/). Presented by a consortium of hundreds of scientists led by COSPAR’s Panel on Space Weather, this roadmap provides key recommendations for the global space weather community. Space sustainability gained traction as a major recurring theme, underscoring our collective responsibility to ensure the long-term viability of space activities. The COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection, a reference in upholding the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and providing accepted guidelines on planetary protection, presented the recently updated Planetary Protection Policy. COSPAR 2024 underscored COSPAR’s commitment to international regional diversity and dedication to shaping the future of the global space eco-system.
