Hanwha Group announced on August 3 that it will hold the 'Space Pebble Open Conference' on the 29th at the Cube Convention Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. This event expands the 'Space Pebble' program, aimed at training young astronauts, into a public conference for the general audience.
'Space Pebble' is a program operated by Hanwha Group in collaboration with KAIST for the past five years. Each year, about 30 middle school students are selected to receive education in space science and meet with experts, helping them explore their interests and potential careers in space.
The open conference aims to introduce Hanwha's ongoing astronaut training activities to the public and to present the rapidly growing global space industry as an exciting opportunity for the future.
Participants will include science communicator Kweon Doo, Jeon Eun-ji, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at KAIST, author Jo Seung-yeon, astronomer Ji Woong-bae, and industry analyst Jeong Yi-hoon. They will discuss the potential of the space industry as a future sector in an engaging manner for the audience.
Recently, the global space industry has been spotlighted by the growth of SpaceX, which has lowered space exploration costs through reusable launch vehicles and ushered in a new era of private space ventures. This shift demonstrates the potential for large-scale innovation as space development expands from government-led initiatives to the private sector.
In South Korea, there is a growing call for aerospace companies with diverse technologies in launch vehicles, satellite production, and system integration to collaborate and nurture a 'Korean version of SpaceX.' There is a demand for integrated solutions that encompass everything from launch vehicles to satellite production and operation, with a strong emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting a global trend toward the consolidation and scaling of space enterprises.
Alongside astronaut training, Hanwha Group is also accelerating efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the space industry. Recently, the company announced plans to invest a total of 55 trillion won in the aerospace and AI sectors by 2040, aiming to establish an integrated space infrastructure that includes independent launch vehicles, satellite networks, and defense AI.
Additionally, Hanwha Group is increasing its stake in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to over 14% and has formalized its intention to participate in management, thereby expanding its influence in the aerospace sector.
A Hanwha Group official stated, "The belief that the Korean version of SpaceX ultimately comes from people has allowed us to continue the Space Pebble program for five years. We hope to share this belief with more people through the open conference." He added, "The next generation must have dreams of space for South Korea to nurture space companies like SpaceX."
Registration for participation will be open from August 3 to 15. Detailed schedules and programs can be found on the official registration page.
Meanwhile, the fifth cohort of the 'Space Pebble' program began in July.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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