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Korea's first astronaut Yi So-yeon answers questions at a press conference at Incheon International Airport after returning home from Russia on Monday morning. /Newsis
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Korea's first astronaut Yi So-yeon returned home on Monday after her historic journey to space. Wearing a huge smile, she thanked the people of Korea for their strong support, which she credited with helping her successfully complete her mission. Having earned a doctorate from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in February, Yi will now work as a researcher for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and lecture on space science.
Despite her weighty academic background, Yi said her most gratifying task in space was creating an educational video clip for children. She ruled out the idea of forgoing a career in science for politics or any other area, promising to throw her efforts and experiences behind the development of Korea's space program.
Yi said she is in good health despite the botched return of her space capsule on April 19. Even so, she walked into the press conference slowly, and while posing for a short photo session she propped her hands on a table and stood with a slight slouch.
The return to Earth was extremely perilous, as the landing capsule carrying Yi and her crew mates missed its designated target zone in northern Kazakhstan by 420 km. At times during the descent, the capsule passengers were subjected to pressure of 10 Gs, or 10 times that of the Earth's gravitational force. Experts say that pressure of up to 7 Gs is within the capsule's safety zone, but 10 Gs is considered dangerous.
However, in regard to repeated landing failures and resulting dangers facing astronauts in Soyuz capsules, Yi said that the Russians could take no steps to avoid such problems. A KARI official said that even if there had been an accident during Yi's return, Russia would not have been obligated to pay any compensation.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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