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Busan, South Korea - On July 15, 2024, the 45th World Space Science Conference commenced with a grand opening in Busan, South Korea. In a prestigious ceremony during the conference, the 9th CAS/COSPAR Jeoujang Jaw Award, a joint initiative of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), was presented to Prof. Dan Baker from the University of Colorado Boulder, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

The award was bestowed upon Prof. Baker by Prof. Wang Chi, representing CAS and the National Committee for COSPAR (CN-COSPAR). The recipient expressed his profound honor and gratitude for the recognition from CAS and COSPAR.

Wang Chi highlighted Baker's selection, citing his remarkable contributions to the exploration and research of Earth's radiation belts and his proactive role in advancing the application of small satellites in space science. As the director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder, Prof. Baker has made significant strides in satellite payload design, space physics data analysis, and magnetospheric modeling, authoring over 900 papers and nine influential books.

Established in 1958, COSPAR has become the largest non-governmental international academic organization in space science, with 46 institutional members and 13 international organizations as members. The CAS/COSPAR Jeoujang Jaw Award, given biennially since 2006, honors scientists who have made exceptional contributions to space science and technology research, pioneering new research areas, and initiating novel space exploration programs.

Named after the Chinese scientist Jeoujang Jaw (ZHAO Jiuzhang, 1907-1968), the CAS/COSPAR JEOUJANG JAW AWARD honors scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science and technology research. Since its inception in 2006, eight scientists have received the award.