Astronaut

Dr. Soyeon yi

"Dream high and shoot for the stars! You are strong enough to make your dreams come true!" - Dr. Soyeon Yi

ASTRONAUT SELECTION AND TRAINING

In 2006, while attaining her Ph.D., Dr. Yi applied in the government’s recruitment of candidates to serve as South Korea’s first astronaut. Dr. Yi was accepted into Korea’s first-ever astronaut program where she became one of the final two candidates, narrowed down from 36,000 applicants. The year-long Korean astronaut program fellowship was broadcasted throughout the country, fueling Korea’s hopes and dreams for new scientific exploration. Dr. Yi was initially selected as the backup crewmember in 2007, but she was later promoted to the primary crewmember. Dr. Yi received Cosmonaut Training in Russia and the United States in preparation for her space journey.

Museum of Flight - Seattle, Washington
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CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION

Before becoming the first and only Korean in space, Dr. Soyeon Yi grew up in a rural farming community in Gwangju, Korea. She was the eldest sibling and the first one in her family to attend college. Dr. Yi learned from her mother, who yearned to receive formal education but was denied the opportunity to attend beyond primary school, to always strive for her goals. With her mother’s teachings and inspiration from her father to be an engineer, Dr. Yi was determined to face every obstacle head-on and achieve great feats. Dr. Yi graduated from Gwangju Science High School, known for its intense science and engineering program. Despite experiencing discrimination for being a female in a heavily male-dominated science field, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Science (2001) and Master of Science (2002) in Mechanical Engineering, as well as her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biosystems and Brain Engineering, at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Known for its engineering curicula, many call KAIST the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of South Korea.

Dr. Yi and Family

SPACEFLIGHT

On April 8, 2008, Dr. Yi boarded the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-12, bound for the International Space Station (ISS). All of South Korea cheered as they witnessed the launch of the first Korean in space. During the 10 days aboard the ISS, Dr. Yi carried out 14 scientific experiments, from testing the life span of fruit flies in space to observing how plants grow without gravity. The experiments, assigned by the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Korean Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, contributed to South Korea’s science textbooks for students and science television channels. She also engaged in cultural diplomacy by sharing Korean space food, such as kimchi, with her fellow astronauts.

Dr. Yi's dynamic spaceflight experience was filled with close calls and miracles, making her journey one of the most notable spaceflight launches and returns. On their way up, after locking up the Soyuz capsule, Dr. Yi’s commander experienced an issue with his spacesuit which required urgent repair. The launch was almost canceled due to this problem.

On the way down, a problem with the spacecraft’s separation process caused the Soyuz capsule to become heavier, changing its trajectory off course. Soyuz landed in rural Kazakhstan, 500 kilometers away from the designated area. Due to the gravitational force of nearly 16-G (compared to the average of 4-G) and motion sickness, Dr. Yi and her crew were exhausted after the landing.

Rather than the expected Mission Control's rescue team, Dr. Yi and her teammates were greeted by the nomads of Kazakhstan. It is hard to imagine what may have gone through the minds of the Kazakhs as they approached the spacecraft after witnessing the crash. Due to the far distance and fuel issues, Mission Control personnel were only able to bring a small rescue team on one helicopter. With the help of the local Kazakhs, Dr. Yi and her team were carried to the helicopter and successfully returned to Gargarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Russia.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

Dr. Yi frequently volunteers for Seattle’s Museum of Flight, participating in programs to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. She also volunteers as an inspirational speaker and lectures at the University of Washington and other local community colleges. One of Dr. Yi’s biggest passions is to “nurture the next generation of leaders in the STEM field.” As a female minority in STEM, she hopes to continue volunteering for various non-profit organizations, to inspire young girls to achieve their dreams with strength and persistence.

LIFE AFTER SPACEFLIGHT

After her spaceflight, Dr. Yi worked as a senior researcher for KARI and received her Certificate of Multi-Disciplinary Curriculum of Space Status at the International Space University. In 2014, after Korea discontinued the astronaut program, Dr. Yi envisioned rebuilding her professional career as a female entrepreneur, beyond the field of aerospace, and decided to pursue other opportunities.

In 2014, Dr. Yi received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business and resigned from KARI. Since then, she has been exploring the business field as a female entrepreneur.

In addition to her numerous journal publications, patents, guest lectures, awards, and media features, Dr. Yi has received recognition as one of the top inspirational female pioneers in South Korea. Currently, Dr. Yi is the Managing Director of NOULS Co., a biotechnology start-up that aims to improve accessibility to proper health care by integrating innovations in technology.