He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in physics education and received a master's degree in philosophy of science at the same university. Afterward, he earned his doctorate in Science Studies (Space History) from Georgia Tech in the U.S. He is conducting various space policy studies related to national space development, including New Space industry, space exploration, international cooperation in space, space security and so on. He is the head of the policy research team at the National Space Policy Research Center under the Science and Technology Policy Institute, and is also providing policy advice to major national space development committees such as the Korea Launch Vehicle Program Promotion Committee and the Moon Exploration Project Promotion Committee. In 2006, he wased as one of the final 30 candidates for astronauts in Korea's first astronaut project.