Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) announced that the Kookmin University Chapter of the Korean Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics (KSAA) has been officially launched following approval by the society’s board of directors in May 2026. Professor Lee Su-won of the Department of Future Mobility has been appointed as the first chapter president. The Kookmin University Chapter and President Lee Su-won have been registered on the KSAA’s official list of chapters.
 
The Kookmin University Chapter was established to enable researchers in the aerospace field, primarily from the Department of Future Mobility and the School of Mechanical Engineering, to expand their academic activities and research exchanges. According to the regulations of the Korean Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics, an institution with at least 10 full members may establish a chapter following a resolution by the Board of Directors. Kookmin University met the relevant requirements and received approval to establish the chapter.
 
Kookmin University conducts education and research in the aerospace field, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), urban air mobility (UAM), satellites, space launch vehicles, and aerospace propulsion systems. With the establishment of this branch, the university plans to integrate the research capabilities of relevant departments and laboratories and expand its collaboration with the Korean Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics through participation in academic conferences, joint research, and student research activities.
 
Professor Lee Suwon, who serves as the branch president, heads the Future Mobility Control Laboratory (FMCL) and conducts research on autonomous guidance, navigation, and control technologies for satellites, launch vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, guided missiles, and future mobility systems. In addition to trajectory optimization, path planning, and aircraft control technologies, the lab conducts research on autonomous flight and driving systems that take user trust and acceptance into account, such as motion sickness prediction and mitigation.
 
Professor Park Jongho of the Department of Mechanical Engineering leads the Aerospace Autonomous Systems Laboratory (AASL), which researches guidance, control, and autonomous operation technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles, guided missiles, space launch vehicles, and satellites. The lab develops guidance algorithms, flight control, trajectory planning, and optimization technologies that take into account the dynamics of the aircraft and the mission environment, and is also conducting research on obstacle collision avoidance and AI-based aerospace control. Professor Park also serves as a director of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Division of the Korean Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics.
 
The Future Aviation Mobility Operations Laboratory (FMO Lab.) led by Professor Song Kyowon of the Department of Future Mobility researches future aviation mobility operation technologies utilizing AI and digital twins. The lab addresses airspace management, flight procedures, operational safety assessments, vertiport operations, cybersecurity, and anomaly detection technologies to ensure the safe operation of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in urban airspace. It also conducts simulation research that integrates both aerial and ground transportation systems.
 
The Mobility Propulsion Laboratory, led by Professor Lee Seang Wock of the Automotive Mobility Department, researches the design, performance analysis, combustion, and control technologies of reciprocating engines for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones. The lab conducts both experiments and analyses to improve the power output, fuel efficiency, and durability of drone engines, and is developing next-generation drone propulsion systems using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), AI-based optimization, eco-friendly fuels, and cooling and thermal management technologies.
 
Professor Kim Tae Ho’s Mechanical Design and Vibration Reduction Laboratory (MEDVIC) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering researches rotor design and rotor dynamics technologies for high-power turbo propulsion systems used in space launch vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Focusing on turbo pumps for liquid rocket engines and aircraft gas turbine engines, the lab is developing core technologies for high-speed rotating components—such as bearings, seals, and vibration reduction devices—and conducting research to enhance the reliability and efficiency of propulsion systems for reusable space launch vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
 
The Korea Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics (KSAA) chapter at Kookmin University plans to coordinate research and educational activities related to UAV guidance and control, future air mobility operations, and aerospace propulsion systems, building on the specialized fields of each laboratory. Through this, the chapter aims to expand exchanges among researchers and students on campus and lay the groundwork for joint research with the KSAA, as well as domestic aerospace research institutions and industry partners.