12 January 2012
Dr Soyeon Yi (pictured right), could be mistaken for a young school girl, but make no mistake that this 33 year-old woman has a PhD in biotech systems, and after intensive training in Russia, was lucky enough to be launched into space in 2008, making her South Korea’s first astronaut!
She is in Adelaide as part of the Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program, an intensive international, intercultural and interdisciplinary educational experience, which is hosted by the University of South Australia.
This year, there are 35 international students from across the globe undertaking this five-week live-in course at Mawson Lakes, which is being held in partnership with the International Space University.
Dr Yi will be part of an International Astronaut Panel, a much-anticipated highlight of the program, where she will give the public a chance to ask questions about living on space stations and working in space.
She will be joined by several other astronauts, including former CNES astronaut Dr Jean-Jacques Favier (France) and NASA astronaut Commander Scott Kelly (USA). The panel will be led by Professor Scott Madry of the International Space University.
The International Astronaut Panel will take place at the University of South Australia (UniSA) City West campus, Allan Scott Auditorium, Adelaide, on Tuesday 17 January from 6.00 – 7.30pm. Followed by light refreshments where the public can meet the astronauts.
The event is free but bookings are essential via iteeevents@unisa.edu.au.
The event will be streamed live at http://w3.unisa.edu.au/itee/spaceprogram/live-streaming.asp
NOTE TO MEDIA: Dr Soyeon Yi (South Korea) and Dr Jean-Jacques Favier (France) are available for both phone and studio interviews on the morning of Monday January 16.
Media contact
- Andrew McGarry office (08) 8302 0965
