The Italian Embassy in Seoul organised the 'Italian Space Day' at the Italian Residence. The event represented an important opportunity to promote Italian excellence in the aerospace sector and strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea.
Ambassador Emilia Gatto opened the proceedings by emphasising Italy's pioneering role in the space field, recalling the launch of the 'San Marco' satellite in 1964. The presence of the Director General of the Italian Space Agency, Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, lent particular relevance to the meeting, during which he illustrated the main activities of the Italian Space Agency and announced a significant investment of EUR 7 billion in the Italian space sector for the five-year period 2022-2026. The participation of the Deputy Administrator of Mission Directorates of the Korean Aerospace Administration, John Lee, a key figure in the South Korean space programme, highlighted the mutual interest in a strategic collaboration in the aerospace field. In his speech, Lee expressed optimism about the Italian-Korean partnership, saying, 'If South Korea and Italy cooperate in the space industry, we can achieve even greater success. Finally, he emphasised the common goals in scientific exploration and technological development, highlighting South Korea's commitment to strengthening international collaboration to accelerate innovation in this strategic field.
The speech by astronaut Maurizio Cheli, a leading figure in Italian space exploration, was one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event. Born in Zocca in 1959, Cheli has had an illustrious career that has taken him from the Italian air force to space. In 1996, he became the first Italian to serve as Mission Specialist on board the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-75 mission. During his speech, Cheli shared anecdotes about his experience as an astronaut and test pilot and stressed the importance of international cooperation in the field of space exploration.
The event was attended by representatives of leading aerospace companies from both countries, including Leonardo Space, Thales Alenia Space, Avio, Korea Aerospace Industries, Hanwha Aerospace and Boryung.
The 'Italian Space Day' in Seoul offered an effective platform for institutional and industrial dialogue, consolidating bilateral relations in the aerospace sector and opening up new prospects for collaboration between Italy and the Republic of Korea.
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