NASA recognizes Korea’s ability to join space station project

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States has recognized South Korea`s ability to participate in the 16-nation International Space Station (ISS) project.

According to the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) Thursday, NASA officially evaluated Korean space industrial firms as competent to take part in the ISS program. The Korean companies cited by NASA were KARI, Korea Aerospace Industries Association, Korean Air Lines, Doowon Heavy Industries and KoSpace.

KARI said NASA`s official evaluation will be announced Friday on Goddard Space Center Internet homepage at http://www701.gsfc.nasa.gov/access/access.htm.

NASA sent an independent assessment team made up of eight space experts, headed by Don Avery, to Korea on Feb. 6-9 to review Korea`s capability to develop PSIM, a detector of cosmic rays needed for the international space station.

Prior to its announcement, NASA sent the results of the team’s assessment to KARI. ``Korea is capable of developing equipment for the international space station and we confirmed that all the Korean participants, including the aerospace firms and the government, are determined to promote the equipment`s successful development.``