Yi So-yeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yi So-yeon
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born | June 2, 1978 Gwangju, South Korea
|
| Occupation | Researcher |
| Space career | |
| KAP astronaut | |
|
Time in space
|
10 days, 21 hours, 13 minutes |
| Selection | 2006 South Korean program |
| Missions | Soyuz TMA-12/TMA-11 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
이소연
|
|---|---|
| Hanja |
李素妍
|
| RR | I Soyeon |
| MR | I Soyŏn |
| IPA | [i so.jʌn] |
Yi So-yeon (born June 2, 1978) is a South Korean astronaut and biotechnologist. She made history as the first person from Korea to travel into space.
Yi grew up in Gwangju, South Korea. She studied at KAIST, a top science university, and earned a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 2006, she was chosen as one of two finalists for the Korean Astronaut Program. This program aimed to send the first Koreans into space.
In 2008, Yi So-yeon was selected for the main mission. On April 8, 2008, she launched into space with two Russian cosmonauts. She spent about eleven days orbiting Earth. On April 19, she safely returned. After her space journey, Yi worked as a researcher. She later studied for an MBA and taught at colleges in Washington, United States.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Yi So-yeon was born to Yi Gil-soo and Jeong Geum-soon. She was raised in Gwangju, South Korea.
She attended Gwangju Science High School. Later, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from KAIST in Daejeon. Her studies focused on mechanics. She also completed her doctorate in biotech systems in 2008. In 2010, she began an MBA program at the Haas School of Business in California. By 2015, she was teaching engineering physics at Everett Community College.
Journey to Space
Korean Astronaut Program
Yi was one of two finalists chosen on December 25, 2006. This was part of the Korean Astronaut Program. Initially, Ko San was selected as the main astronaut. Yi So-yeon was chosen as the backup. This decision followed many tests during their training in Russia.
However, a change was made on March 7, 2008. Yi was then selected to train with the main crew. On March 10, it was confirmed that Yi would replace Ko. This happened because the Russian Federal Space Agency requested a replacement. Ko had broken some rules at the Russian training center. On April 8, 2008, Yi launched into space. She flew aboard Soyuz TMA-12 with two Russian cosmonauts. She became the third woman to be the first from her country in space. The others were Helen Sharman from the UK and Anousheh Ansari from Iran/America.
What is a Spaceflight Participant?
Yi flew as a guest of the Russian government. This was part of a special agreement with South Korea. Her role on the Soyuz spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) was called a "spaceflight participant." This term is used in official documents.
Her Mission in Space
During her time in space, Yi So-yeon performed eighteen science experiments. These were for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). She also spoke with media from space.
One interesting experiment involved 1,000 fruit flies. She took them in a special air-conditioned box. She watched how changes in gravity affected the flies' behavior. Other experiments looked at how plants grow in space. She also studied her own heart and how gravity affected her eye pressure and face shape. Yi used a special 3D camera to take pictures of her face daily. This helped scientists see how her face might swell in space. She also observed Earth, watching dust storms move from China to Korea. She even measured the noise levels inside the ISS.
.jpg)
South Korean scientists even created a special, healthy version of kimchi for Yi to eat in space!
Returning Home
Yi's mission ended on April 19, 2008. She returned to Earth with ISS crew members Peggy Whitson and Yuri Malenchenko. They traveled aboard Soyuz TMA-11. There was a problem with the Soyuz vehicle during re-entry. The craft followed a "ballistic re-entry" path. This means the crew experienced very strong gravitational forces. These forces were up to 10 times what we feel on Earth.
Because of this, the Soyuz TMA-11 landed far off course. It landed about 260 miles (420 km) from its target in Kazakhstan. All three astronauts survived. They needed medical checks after landing. Yi was hospitalized in Korea due to severe back pains.
Life After Spaceflight
After her space journey, Yi worked as a researcher at KARI. She also served as Korea's space ambassador with Ko San. On October 4, 2008, Yi helped launch the International Institute of Space Commerce.
In 2009, Yi attended the International Space University (ISU) Space Studies Program. This program was held at NASA Ames Research Center. In May 2011, Yi was recognized as one of "Fifteen Asian Scientists To Watch." This was by Asian Scientist Magazine.
Career After Flight
On August 13, 2014, the Korean Aerospace Research Institute announced Yi's resignation. She left for personal reasons. In an interview, she shared that she wanted to study for an MBA.
After earning her MBA from the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business, Yi joined the Association of Spaceflight Professionals. She has lived in Washington, United States. From 2016, she taught physics at the Everett Community College in Washington. She has also given lectures at the University of Washington.
See also
In Spanish: Yi So-yeon para niños
- Timeline of space travel by nationality
- ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station)
External links
- Spacefacts biography of Yi So-yeon
- A series of interviews with Seoul Glow
- Yi So-yeon oral history interview at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections
- Spacefacts bio April 2018
hu:Yi So-yeon
