SPACE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CAPABILITIES, FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC:

A REGIONAL INVENTORY, 2007

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CAPABILITIES,

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC:

A REGIONAL INVENTORY, 2007

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

2007

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION CAPABILITIES, FACILITIES

AND ACTIVITIES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC:

A REGIONAL INVENTORY, 2007

ST/ESCAP/2463

United Nations publication Copyright © United Nations 2007 All rights reserved ST/ESCAP/2463

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided that the source is acknowledged, The ESCAP Publication Office would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source.

No use may be made of this publication for resale or any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of reproduction, should be addressed to the Secretary of the Publication Board, United Nations, New York.

This publication has been issued without formal editing.

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PREFACE Recent advances in information and communication technology (ICT) and space technology, such as satellite-based remote sensing, communications, meteorology and positioning systems, along with their increased integration, have expanded the opportunities for developing countries in Asia and the Pacific to apply them effectively towards the building of an information society. The digital “convergence” in ICT and space technology has led to new applications and services that may be a great help to the countries of the region in their efforts to achieve sustainable economic and social development, including the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, in such fields as environment, natural resources, disaster reduction, education and health. Thanks to that convergence, these applications and services are more widely accessible and affordable to lesser developed countries and areas of the region, including least developed countries, and are of more practical use, as broader penetration provides digital opportunities for all, thereby narrowing the knowledge gap between developed and developing countries, urban and rural areas, rich and poor.

Asia and the Pacific is a fast-growing region in terms of space technology development and applications. Since the launching of the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP) at the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Beijing in 1994, regional cooperation in the application of space technology in countries of the region has been greatly enhanced. The Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in New Delhi in 1999, launched the second phase of RESAP, which promoted regional cooperative mechanisms to support operational applications of space technology in priority development fields.

This Inventory on space technology capabilities, facilities and activities in Asia and the Pacific published under the aegis of RESAP and on the eve of the Third Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, is part of the information dissemination and exchange efforts of ESCAP, which are intended to foster closer regional cooperation and collaboration in space technology applications in the countries of the region.

The Inventory provides comprehensive information on a wide range of aspects concerning space technology applications in the context of sustainable development in the region. While the Inventory is primarily based on the inputs received from individual countries in response to a set of questionnaires designed for this purpose, some parts of it are based on information extracted from a variety of sources, such as ESCAP publications, country reports and papers presented at meetings, web sites and other publications.

The Inventory is intended for use not only by the space and relevant ICT communities but also by policymakers and end users in various development and application fields as well as general readers. As space technology applications become integrated with sustainable development planning in the coming years, they are expected to assume a greatly expanded role in disaster management, environment and natural resources management, and education and health development.

The ESCAP secretariat would like to acknowledge the substantial support provided by RESAP national focal points, national contact points and other respondents in various organizations and countries across the region in collecting and consolidating the responses to questionnaires for this Inventory and forwarding them to the secretariat. Without their cooperation and help, it would not have been possible to bring out this publication.

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CONTENTS Page

PREFACE v LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND BOXES vii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS viii I. INTRODUCTION 1

1. General 2. Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development: an overview 3. Purpose and scope of the inventory

II. COUNTRY PROFILES 1. Australia 4 2. Azerbaijan 17 3. Bangladesh 19 4. Bhutan 27 5. China 30 6. Fiji 50 7. Hong Kong, China 51 8. India 56 9. Indonesia 77 10. Iran (Islamic Republic of) 96 11. Japan 101 12. Malaysia 108 13. Mongolia 111 14. Myanmar 118 15. Nepal 119 16. Pakistan 121 17. Philippines 123 18. Republic of Korea 131 19. Russian Federation 140 20. Singapore 147 21. Sri Lanka 151 22. Thailand 155 23. Viet Nam 163 ANNEX National Focal Points for RESAP 167 REFERENCES 170

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LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND BOXES Tables Page Table 1. Training courses 87 Table 2. Remote sensing satellite ground receiving facilities 90 Table 3. Meteorological satellite receiving facilities 90 Table 4. Meteorological satellite receiving facilities (BMG) 90 Table 5. Government (public sector) operated satellite resources and services 91 Table 6. Private sector-operated satellite resources and services 91 Table 7. Programmes delivered through satellites 93 Table 8. Application programmes for Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (INATEWS) 93 Table 9. Application programmes for meteorology 93 Table 10. Products and services 94 Table 11. Involvement of the private sector in space applications 94 Table 12. Products for disaster risk reduction 161 Table 13. Products for the environment and sustainable development 162 Table 14. Products for renewable natural resources management 162 Figures Figure 1. National organizational structure on space technology applications in Bangladesh 23 Figure 2. Organization of space activities in India 68 Figure 3. Organization of space activities in Indonesia 95 Figure 4. Organization chart of the Iranian Remote Sensing Centre 98 Figure 5. Space-related organizations in Japan 105 Figure 6. National organizational structure on space technology applications in Mongolia 115 Figure 7. Clearinghouse backbone network in the Philippines 126 Figure 8. National geographic information clearinghouse portal 126 Figure 9. Organization chart of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute 134 Figure 10. Organization chart of the Korea Meteorological Agency 134 Figure 11. Organization of space activities in Singapore 149 Figure 12. Current space-related organizations in Thailand and the Space Development Committee 159 Figure 13. Organization chart of the Royal Thai Survey Department 160 Boxes Box 1. Sentinel Fire: A web-based wildfire information dissemination system 16 Box 2. Broadband network for easy access to the Internet in remote and rural China 31 Box 3. Distance learning (e-learning) in remote areas of China 32 Box 4. National response to distance education / e-learning in China 34 Box 5. Space technology applications in agriculture 59 Box 6. Agro-climatic planning and support system for disaster management 61 Box 7. Telemedicine in India: Health care to the rural poor 75 Box 8. National response to distance education / e-learning in Thailand 157

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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AARS Asian Association on Remote Sensing AATSR Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer ABU Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union ACeS Asia Cellular Satellite International ACRES Australian Centre for Remote Sensing ADEOS Advanced Earth Observing Satellite ADPC Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre ADRC Asian Disaster Reduction Centre AHRPT Advanced High-resolution Picture Transmission AIC Asian Info-communications Council AIRS Atmospheric Infrared Sounder AIT Asian Institute of Technology ALOS Advanced Land Observing Satellite (also called “Daichi”) AMFU Agro-Meteorological Forecasting Unit AMSR Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer ANASA Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency ANGKASA National Space Agency of Malaysia ANZLIC Australia New Zealand Land Information Council APAN Asia-Pacific Advanced Network AP-MCSTA Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications APN-GCR Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research APRSAF Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum APSCC Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council APSCO Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization APT Asia-Pacific Telecommunity ARRS ALOS Rapid Response System ASDI Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure ASEAN-SCOSA Association of South-East Asian Nations – Subcommittee on Space Applications ASI Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (Italian Space Agency) ASIBA Australian Spatial Information Business Association ATAS Australian Tsunami Alert System AVHRR Advanced Very-High Resolution Radiometer AVNIR Advanced Visible and Near-Infrared Radiometer AWiFS Advanced Wide Field Sensor AWS Automatic Weather Station BAKOSURTANAL Badan Koordinasi Survei dan Pemetaan Nasional (National Coordination Agency

for Surveying and Mapping of Indonesia) BGAN Broadband Global Area Network BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation BMG Meteorological and Geophysics Agency CAPE Crop Acreage and Production Estimation CASM Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping CCD Charge-coupled Device CCSDS Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems CEOS Committee on Earth Observation Satellites CERNET Chinese Education and Research Network CGISC Centre for GIS Coordination CMA China Meteorological Agency CNES Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales COMS Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite COPUOS United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space COSPAS-SARSAT Search and Rescue Satellite

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COSPAR Committee on Space Research COSSA CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications CPEA Coupling Processes in the Equatorial Atmosphere CRISP Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing of Singapore CRS Sri Lanka Centre for Remote Sensing CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSSTE-AP Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific CUHK Chinese University of Hong Kong DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting DART Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis DBS Direct Broadcast Service DEPANRI National Council of Aeronautics and Space of the Republic of Indonesia DEM Digital Elevation Model DIGO Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organization DLF Distance Learning Foundation DLR Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Centre) DMB Digital Multimedia Broadcasting DOST Department of Science and Technology DTH Direct-to-home (satellite broadcasting) DVB-S Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company Edusat Education Satellite EOS Earth Observing System ERDAS Earth Resource Data Analysis System EROS Earth Resources Observation Satellite ESA European Space Agency ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Envisat Environmental Satellite Eumetsat European Meteorological Satellite FASAL Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agrometeorology and Land-based

observations FedSat Federation Satellite FGDC Federal Geographic Data Committee FSS Fixed Satellite Service FTP File Transfer Protocol GCR Global Change Research GEO Group on Earth Observation GEO Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (also Geostationary Earth Orbit) GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems GIFTS Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer GIS Geographic Information Systems GISSL Geo-Informatics Society of Sri Lanka GISTDA Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System GMS Geostationary Meteorological Satellite GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOOS Global Oceans Observing System GPM Global Precipitation Measurement GPS Global Positioning System GSDI Global Spatial Data Infrastructure GSLV Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSO Geostationary (or Geosynchronous) Orbit GTOS Global Terrestrial Observation System GTS Global Telecommunication System HiRID High-resolution Image Data

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HKO Hong Kong Observatory HRPT High-resolution Picture Transmission IAC International Aerospace Congress IADC Interagency Debris Coordination Committee IAF International Astronautical Federation ICC Intergovernmental Consultative Committee ICGAT International Centre for Geoinformatics Applications and Training ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development ICMSN Interactive Channels for Multimedia Satellite Networks ICSTD Information, Communication and Space Technology Division ICT Information and Communication Technology IGBP International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme IGY International Geophysical Year IISc Indian Institute of Science IMSO International Mobile Satellite Organization INSAT Indian National Satellite IOTWS Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System IP Internet Protocol IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IRIMO Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization IRS Indian Remote Sensing satellite IRSC Iranian Remote Sensing Centre ISA Iranian Space Agency ISAS Institute of Space and Astronautical Science ISDR International Strategy on Disaster Reduction ISEIS Institute of Space and Earth Information Science ISNET Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science and Technology ISO International Organization for Standardization ISRO Indian Space Research Organization ISS International Space Station ITC International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation ITSO International Telecommunications Satellite Organization ITU International Telecommunication Union JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JMA Japan Meteorological Agency KAIST Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology KARI Korea Aerospace Research Institute KMA Korea Meteorological Agency KOMPSAT Korea Multi-purpose Satellite KSLV Korea Space Launch Vehicle LAPAN Lembaga Pererbangan dan Antariksa Nasional (National Institute of Aeronautics

and Space) LEO Low Earth Orbit MACRES Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing MAGDAS Magnetic Data Acquisition System MDUS Medium-scale Data Utilization Station MEO Medium Earth Orbit MODIS Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MSS Multi-Spectral Scanner (also Mobile Satellite Services) MTSAT Multi-functional Transport Satellite MWR Meteor Wind Radar NAL National Aerospace Laboratory NAMRIA National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Philippines NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASDA National Space Development Agency

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NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NGDI National Geo-spatial Data Infrastructure NIVR Nederlands Instituut voor Vliegtuigontwikkeling en Ruimtevaart (Netherlands

Agency for Aerospace Programmes) NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPOESS National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System NPP NPOESS Preparatory Project NRSA National Remote Sensing Agency NRSCC National Remote Sensing Centre of China NSDI National Spatial Data Infrastructure NSII National Spatial Information Infrastructure NWP Numerical Weather Programme OCM Ocean Colour Monitor OGC Open Geospatial Consortium OMI Ozone Monitoring Instrument ONERA Office National d’Etudes et de Recherche Aérospatiales (National Office for

Aerospace Research) PAGASA Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration PALSAR Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar PARIS Passive Radiometry and Interferometry System PCASTRD Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and

Development PCGIAP Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific PFZ Potential Fishery Zone PIDC Pacific Island Developing Country PRISM Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping PSLV Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSMSL Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network PUSPIC Education Centre for Image Interpretation and Integrated Survey RESAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development RESTEC Remote Sensing Technology Centre RISH Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere RKA Russian Space Agency RS Remote Sensing RSCC Russian Satellite Communication Company RTSD Royal Thai Survey Department SAC Space Applications Centre SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar SARC Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Centre SaTReC Satellite Technology Research Centre of KAIST SCIAMACHY Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography SCOSA Subcommittee on Space Applications SCOSTEP Science Committee on Solar Terrestrial Physics SDN Survey Department of Nepal SITE Satellite Instructional Television Experiment SMMS Small Multi-mission Satellite SoP Survey of Pakistan SOPAC South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (also South Pacific Commission) SPARRSO Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization SPECA United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia SPIDER United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management

and Emergency Response SPOT Système probatoire pour l'observation de la terre SSI Spatial Sciences Institute

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SST Sea Surface Temperature SUPARCO Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan TCDC Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries THEOS Thailand Earth Observation System TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UPU Universal Postal Union VAST Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology VISSR Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer VNSC Viet Nam Space Commission VoIP Voice-over Internet Protocol VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority WCDR World Conference on Disaster Reduction WMO World Meteorological Organization WWW World Weather Watch (also World Wide Web)

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I. INTRODUCTION

1. General

Space technology applications, along with the rapid development and broad penetration of other information and communication technologies (ICT), have improved management practices for sustainable socio-economic development, and they have changed lives in all parts of the world. There is an increasing integration and mutual dependency of space technologies – such as satellite-based remote sensing, communications, meteorology and positioning systems – with computers, digital databases and land- cable- or wireless based communications. This digital convergence is accelerating the provision of information services at a lower cost and with broader penetration.

Space-based information and communication technology and applications are becoming accessible and affordable tools for countries to use in their efforts to achieve internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals and those set up by the World Summit on the Information Society, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction.

In the last decade, developing countries in the region that are using space applications for sustainable socio-economic development have made great progress at technological, institutional and policy levels. Rapid growth of space applications in the region has stimulated cooperation at regional level. 2. Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development

The work of ESCAP to promote space technology applications for sustainable development in

the region commenced in 1983, with the Regional Remote Sensing Programme, the first regional forum bringing together remote sensing experts from different countries. This forum significantly raised the awareness of policy makers to the potential of Earth observation satellites in applications for sustainable development, such as natural resource and coastal zone management, urban planning, disaster reduction and agriculture development.

This early success led to a programme involving a wider range of space technology applications, such as satellite-based communication, positioning service, and meteorology, in addition to remote sensing, and focusing on transforming space applications from occasional experiments into everyday operations.

This approach was endorsed by the Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific held in Beijing in 1994, which .resulted in a strategy and a framework for regional cooperation in space technology applications: the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific (RESAP). ESCAP has established under the programme networks of space technology professionals to act as national focal points and national contact points.1

The Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific held in New Delhi in 1999 identified priority development areas, to which space applications may contribute such as environmental and natural resource management, natural disaster reduction, poverty alleviation, food security, education, health care and sustainable development planning.

While the first phase of RESAP focused on networking, awareness raising and training centered capacity building, RESAP phase II puts its attention to cover technical, policy and institutional capacity building towards operational uses of space technology relevant to major development priorities. ESCAP has also studied various mechanisms for regional space cooperation,

1 National focal points are designated by governments to participate in the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee.

National contact points participate in regional working groups in major fields of space technology applications. The list of national focal points for RESAP at the time of compilation of this Inventory is appended to the report.

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carried out a range of studies on using space technology to meet some of the region’s priority development objectives, and facilitated training and education.

RESAP projects have had substantial positive impacts in the region. For example, the feasibility study for the establishment of an Earth Space Information Network in Asia and the Pacific (ESINAP) outlined the structure and functions of a cooperative multi-node regional information network for sharing Earth observation data products, such as processed imagery for use in disaster response and for natural resources management. That study, which was carried out in 1995, identified inadequacies in the communication backbone as the major impediment to implementing an information network of this kind. With subsequent improvements in the regional ICST infrastructure, the vision first sketched out in that RESAP study is about to become reality through the Sentinel Asia project initiated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) with support from and participation of other countries.

Similarly, the study on microsatellite applications for development purposes, through the ESCAP publication entitled Small Is Beautiful: Affordable Space Missions for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP 1997), compiled good practices in using low-cost microsatellites – those with mass less than 100 kg and, therefore, with correspondingly low launching and development costs – by analysing development-related small satellite projects in China, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand. The “Common Simple Payload” approach – in which several countries use the same space technology to reduce development costs, avoid duplication of effort, simplify information sharing and achieve interoperability of several national satellite systems – was first mooted in this study, and had a major impact in subsequent small satellite projects in the region, including those in Australia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

Several capacity-building programmes have taken place in the area of space technology applications for sustainable development in the region. Under the Regional Information Service and Education and Training Network of RESAP, many short- and medium-term training courses as well as post-graduate courses in space technology applications for development have been supported by China, India and Indonesia. The courses focused on space applications in development-related fields, such as natural resources management, disaster management, soil erosion risk assessment, land and water resource management, coastal zone management, meteorology and climate services, communications satellites, and space science and space technology for social scientists.

Currently, 24 ESCAP members, including one associate member, have significant space-related activities and 17 have national space agencies. These space agencies – along with non-regional space organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA) – have been steadfast contributors to RESAP, and, in consequence, the Programme has been a successful conduit for the diffusion of technical know-how among members.

Nearly half of the active space nations in the region have either established their national space agencies or comprehensively revised their space activities since the start of RESAP. In fact, the largest part of the world’s civil space activities now takes place within ESCAP member countries, with national civil space expenditures of more than US$20 billion, which is more than 80 per cent of the global total (Euroconsult 2004). Six of the eight largest national civil space programmes (based on 2004 figures) belong to ESCAP member countries.

RESAP can be proud of its achievements. In many parts of the region, space technology is now considered a vital component of information and communication technology infrastructure. It is expected that the Programme’s role in the region will continue, with more emphasis on promoting regional cooperative mechanisms for operational applications of space technologies in major fields of common concern, including disaster reduction and information sharing and connectivity for under-serviced areas. As ESCAP progresses towards building an information and knowledge society in the region, the role of space technology is likely to become even more central (especially for improved tele-density through broadband connectivity, in developing countries, primarily in least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, Small Island Developing States, and economies in transition).

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3. Purpose and scope of the inventory

RESAP places great importance on information dissemination and exchange in the countries of Asia and the Pacific. Towards that end, in 1997 ESCAP published its first regional inventory on space technology application capabilities, facilities and activities. In recent Intergovernmental Consultative Committee (ICC) sessions, the need for an updated inventory was strongly expressed. The new Inventory is part of ESCAP’s activities on information dissemination, intended to foster closer regional collaboration in space technology applications, in line with the recommendations of the first and second ministerial conferences on space applications, held in 1994 in Beijing and in 1999 in New Delhi respectively.

As a preparatory activity towards the Third Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, with invaluable support from the national focal points of RESAP and the national contact points of the regional working groups, the ESCAP secretariat initiated the compilation of the present Inventory on space technology application capabilities, facilities and activities in the Asia-Pacific region. The member States of ESCAP were invited to revise and update their entries from the previous regional inventory that was conducted in 1997. This publication is the result of that review. Entries in most cases originated from national agencies.

To assist in identifying the high-priority areas and activities for regional cooperation that would assist national capacity-building, and to promote regional cooperative mechanisms for sharing relevant resources and providing accessible and affordable services in Asia and the Pacific, the Inventory provides current and synoptic information and reference to policy makers and practitioners of space technology applications on relevant national policies and capabilities. One of its aims was to collect good practices – such as public-private partnerships – in development, provision and operational uses of such products and services, to be adapted by other countries.

The Inventory consolidates the latest information available on space activities in the Asia-Pacific region, in order to provide a comprehensive review of space technology application capabilities in selected ESCAP member countries and to evaluate future needs and focus areas. Its main purposes are to:

• Explain how space-based technologies are being applied to address the regional efforts towards sustainable development;

• Identify Earth observation and satellite communication capacities, their emerging trends and opportunities;

• Present case studies and good practices that can be adapted by member countries. The Inventory covers, in detail, organizational matters, policies, facilities, investment, projects, training activities, seminars, workshops and conferences, and publications in the area of space technology in those countries. It is expected that this compilation will serve as an important resource for policy makers on the use of satellites for environment protection, resource conservation, disaster reduction/management, and human security.

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II. COUNTRY PROFILES

1. AUSTRALIA

Responding agencies:

• Australian Centre for Remote Sensing (ACRES), Geoscience Australia, Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources

• Australian Bureau of Meteorology • CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications (COSSA) • Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST)

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

The CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications (COSSA) was established in December of 1984, to coordinate and further develop R&D in space-related science applications and engineering. COSSA is a member of the Australian Government Space Forum and its primary roles are as follows:

• National and international representation of CSIRO and Australian interests in Earth observation and associated space science;

• Strategic planning and coordination of new research partnerships; • Brokering technology transfer and interdisciplinary project development on behalf of Earth

observation teams across CSIRO. National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Alex Held CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications G.P.O. Box 3023, Canberra, ACT 2601 Fax: 02 6246 5988 Tel.: 02 6246 5899 Email: alex.held@csiro.au Web site: www.cossa.csiro.au

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 Nature of Australian space engagement

Australians make extensive use of the services that space activity provides in numerous areas, including national security, communications and broadcasting, environmental and natural resource management, weather forecasting, and navigation and timing services. For example, Australian farmers trying to manage crops and the impact of drought use data from Earth observation satellites and global navigational systems, and the Bureau of Meteorology participates in the World Weather Watch Programme through its operation in Melbourne, which is of one of three world meteorological centres in the world.

Space is an important domain for Australian science. Australian astronomers have made important contributions to our understanding of the universe, based on their internationally recognized excellence and the view of space from Australia’s southern hemisphere. This reputation has contributed to Australia recently being announced as one of two possible hosts for the Square Kilometre Array Telescope, an international project to build the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope.

Australian industry has benefited from opportunities to participate in space-related activities. Australian firms have made advances in a number of niche fields, including satellite operations and services, signal and data processing, space instrumentation, ground station equipment and design, space debris tracking, use of Earth observation data, and satellite navigation systems applications.

Finally, safeguarding Australia’s national security is a strategic and national research priority. Space infrastructure, science, research and related technologies contribute significantly to Australia’s

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national security – not only to military and defence objectives, but also to wider security objectives such as border surveillance, anti-terrorism and security of telecommunications. 1.2.2 The Australian space policy framework

The government’s space engagement is user- and market-driven rather than supply-driven or “technology-push”, with a key objective being to obtain secure and economic access to the benefits of using space. Government space activities fall into four broader categories:

• Ensuring access to space services; • Supporting world-class science and research that related to space, while consistent with

national priorities; • Enhancing Australia’s space industry; • Safeguarding Australia’s national security.

The government secures access to the benefits of space by participating in a range of

international cooperative arrangements and by purchasing products and services in the domestic and global marketplace. This is supported by the government’s competitive industry development and science/research funding programmes. Securing access to the benefits of space often involves international collaboration. Given the significant expense associated with many activities related to space, international collaboration provides opportunities to share the cost, effort and risks.

Australia’s contribution to international cooperative arrangements is primarily in areas where it has competitive advantages. Australia has competitive advantages in the ground-segment aspects of space infrastructure. Australia’s location and political stability make it a desirable location for major ground-segment infrastructure. These circumstances have led to Australia being host to major ground station facilities in support of almost all Western endeavours in space, from astronomy to manned space programmes and deep space exploration, and from Earth observation to telecommunications. Researchers and businesses seeking support for their space endeavours can apply to a range of industry and science support programmes within the government, where applications are assessed on their merits against published criteria in competition with other proposals.

The government’s space-related activities and objectives are implemented across a range of government agencies, with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR) having prime responsibility for “civil space” issues. All-government liaison occurs through the Australian Government Space Forum, comprising representatives from the government with space-related responsibilities and interests. The role of the forum is to:

• Exchange and coordinate the dissemination of information about government space-related space policies, programmes and activities;

• Identify issues that would benefit from a collaborative approach amongst government agencies; • Be an initial point of contact for domestic and international queries about government space

activities; • Be a source of expertise or referral on space related matters upon which government agencies

can draw as required.

The forum does not supplant the space policy and programme development and delivery authority vested in individual government agencies.

For further information on the government’s space engagement, interested readers may visit <www.industry.gov.au/space>.

1.3 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for achieving internationally agreed development goals

Australia is one of two potential hosts for the Square Kilometre Array Telescope, an international project to build the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope. 1.4 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

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Australia is one of the 27 countries and/or space agencies, including China, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Russian Federation and Thailand, that have signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006). One of the current research-based agreements signed between CSIRO-Australia and the Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping (CASM) is to collaborate on China’s resource mapping satellite programme to monitor climate change. According to the agreement, signed in Beijing on 3 November 2006, the advanced satellite programme will gather land and marine observation data, which will be used for monitoring climate change impacts in both countries. The programme will also advance China’s progress in space technology (Space Mart 2006b). 1.5 Plans for future satellite activities and applications associated with natural disaster

monitoring

The Bureau of Meteorology is committed to further development and promotion of existing satellite applications and further exchange of information, as well as assisting the remote sensing community in developing new applications of interest, with special application to natural disaster monitoring. Particular attention is being focused on assimilation of data into Numerical Weather Programme (NWP) models.

The Bureau’s plans for future development and implementation of applications and systems include the following:

• Utilizing MODIS and AIRS products; • Utilizing products from MTSAT-1R and FY-2C; • Gaining access to Metop, NPP, NPOESS and COMS data; • Gaining access to GIFTS data, if the instrument is successfully launched; • Improving visualization of passive microwave products for direct use by forecasters, plus

rainfall rate estimation using microwave radiances.

The Bureau is cooperating with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to further improve the design, development, upgrade and operation of a Satellite Animation and Interactive Diagnoses (SATAID) server that the Bureau has implemented operationally (see <www3.bom.gov.au:50005/MSC>, which is a case-sensitive URL). SATAID is a JMA CAL-related software package to enable display and manipulation of satellite and related data, and is now in use in many countries. The Bureau’s SATAID server now supplies reduced volume GOES-9 satellite data in SATAID format, especially to national meteorological and hydrological services in the Asia-Pacific region, thereby assisting many developing countries in the region to access data such as MTSAT-1R. The server was established as part of broader cooperation with JMA on satellite data utilization, training and calibration. The Bureau’s work has been acknowledged internationally via the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites. Its effort is a direct contribution to satellite programme aims of WMO for extending the use of satellite data.

In parallel with SATAID, the Bureau is planning to operate a Regional ATOVS Retransmission Service (RARS), following in the footsteps of the successful Eumetsat ATOVS Retransmission Service (EARS). 1.6 The National Development Strategy for GIS in Australia

The overall objective of developing an NGDI is to achieve better outcomes for the nation through better economic, social and environmental decision-making. The availability of standards-compliant, fundamental geographic data sets is essential if the full potential of GIS technology is to be realized in supporting those decision-making processes. Recognizing that the cost, quality and longevity of geographic data are critical in the application of the technology, the specific objectives in developing a national geographic data infrastructure should be to:

• Produce standardized fundamental geographic data sets; • Avoid unnecessary duplication of cost in developing and maintaining those data; • Facilitate access to and application of those data; • Enable integration of other application specific data by all users (value adding).

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The underlying philosophy to this approach is that fundamental geographic information is a national resource that must be managed in the national interest (Nairn 2004). 1.7 National spatial information infrastructure

Nationally, there is the Australia New Zealand Land Information Council (ANZLIC), consisting of a representative from the federal government as well as a representative from each state and territory government and New Zealand. ANZLIC has developed the initial outline paper for the Australian Spatial Data Infrastructure (ASDI).

The ASDI is a national initiative to provide better access for all Australians to essential spatial information. It aims to ensure that users of spatial information will be able to acquire consistent information sets to meet their requirements, even though the data is collected, processed and maintained by different authorities.

The implementation of the ASDI requires a solid infrastructure based on policy and administrative arrangements, people and technology, and a means by which spatial information is made accessible to the community. This infrastructure can be compared to services infrastructures, such as road, rail and electricity networks.

The concept of the ASDI is not to establish a central database, but to set up a distributed network of databases, managed by individual government and industry custodians. At this stage, information is available from the various agencies involved in the production of the information. In this process, the role of ANZLIC is to facilitate easy and cost-effective access to the wealth of spatial data and services provided by a wide range of organizations in the public and private sectors.

ANZLIC advocates the use of common standards, ensuring that data is more easily available to decision makers and increasing the range of spatial information products and services available to government, business and the community. Within the government, ANZLIC is creating a strong linkage between policy decisions and the information needed to implement them.

Fundamental data sets in the ASDI are mostly the responsibility of agencies at the federal, state, territory and local government levels. Coordination of data collection programmes occurs bilaterally between the various levels of government, as well as ANZLIC and other national committees reporting to ANZLIC address coordination issues. As in the United States of America, the ASDI vision is to ensure that data captured by the many custodians will form an integral part of the ASDI by conforming to ASDI principles and being ASDI compliant. This means that metadata is published on the Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD), national standards are adopted, and that the data is available for distribution and use according to nationally consistent policies, some of which are yet to be developed.

ANZLIC has existed in various forms since 1986 and has a long history in assisting the growth of a spatial information industry in Australia and New Zealand. The industry achieved a major milestone in September 2001 with the release of the Spatial Information Industry Action Agenda Positioning for Growth (the Action Agenda).

The strength of ANZLIC lies in partnerships with all government jurisdictions, professional and commercial groups, and users of spatial information. Partnerships continue to be the key to a stronger spatial information industry. ANZLIC has developed key partnerships with peak organizations representing the spatial community, as well as with allied bodies representing users of spatial information. These partnerships have contributed to the growth of the industry, aiming to provide decision makers in all areas of the community with access to quality spatial information services to help them make decisions that are more effective.

Partnerships are the key to a strong spatial information industry, and ANZLIC maintains a strong relationship with peak spatial information industry bodies such as the Australian Spatial Information Business Association (ASIBA) and the Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI). ANZLIC’S vision is that Australia’s and New Zealand’s economic growth, and social and environmental interests are underpinned by spatially referenced information that is current, complete, accurate, affordable, accessible and integratable.

ANZLIC also recognizes that there is a broadening use of spatial information by the community, extending beyond the traditional property-related applications. ANZLIC is building and

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maintaining close working relationships and links with peak bodies representing communities of users of spatial information in the following areas (ANZLIC 2007a):

• Public/private sector; • Natural resource management; • Local government; • Emergency management; • Spatial professionals

As in the United States, access to spatial data is being provided primarily through the

establishment of clearinghouse (or distribution network) nodes. The Australian Spatial Data Directory is a distributed electronic network that provides a means for finding spatial data, determining its fitness for use, and providing details of the custodian where the data can be obtained. The ASDD was launched in 1998, and currently there are 28 nodes within the Directory (ASDD 2007).

Government agencies at federal, state and local levels are establishing nodes on the ASDD. All nodes are linked to the Internet. Moreover, they use the data elements defined in ANZLIC Metadata guidelines (ANZLIC 2007b). The system uses the same architecture as the FGDC system.

In Australia, most spatial data are subject to copyright restrictions. Custodians are responsible for defining access arrangements. ANZLIC has established custodianship guidelines, and pricing policy is set by individual governments. In general, government data is available at cost of distribution, which in most cases involves more than simply the cost of the transfer media.

Most government data sets are subject to copyright, and licensing conditions exist. The pricing of data varies but is usually based on the average cost of distribution. Most government agencies aim to recover their costs of distribution; however, as more efficient means of electronic distribution are developed, it is anticipated that the costs of data will decrease.

The private sector is involved in a number of ways in the ASDI. There is industry support of the ASDI concept, as industry is involved often as users, producers (often under contract to government agencies), and value adders to ASDI data. Improving the access to government data will provide a stimulus to the spatial data industry.

Currently many government agencies are increasing the contracting out of data production where this can be done cost-effectively and where the associated risk is acceptable. Although there are undoubtedly many large private data holdings, commercial sensitivities often preclude access to this data being made widely available (for example, mineral exploration data). Potentially private data sets will be available through the ASDI but most likely use of this data will be subject to special conditions made by the data owners. Even though there is no definitive list available, a number of data sets are made publicly available in Australia.

Use of the ASDD for searching of data is available free of charge. Much government documentation and many publications are being made freely available over the Internet.

Privacy laws exist both federally and at a state and territory government level. Often, specific information that could be related to an individual cannot be released. For example, statistical information must be released in a manner in which an individual cannot be identified. Privacy is becoming a more sensitive issue now that more government information is being made available online.

The laws or formal orders of any legislative or executive branches of government explicitly recognize the need to establish or further develop the NSDI. Unlike in the United States, there are no specific laws relating to the development or management of the ASDI. ANZLIG has been given the responsibility for ASDI implementation federally.

The ASDI requires the cooperation of three levels of government to be successful. Federal government leadership will be required to realize that ASDI vision and incentives may be required to ensure that the various data sets available conform to the ASDI standards that are being developed.

No specific additional funding has been allocated towards the development of the ASDI.

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ANZLIG have been using part of its existing budget to fund ASDI coordination. Some funds have been specifically budgeted and spent on research projects to advance NSDI concepts. Some government expenditure has been undertaken through consultancies and workshops/forums to explore ASDI issues. ANZLIC (which is funded by government agencies) has funded standards development activities and has a current consultancy to establish stakeholder needs. Funding is also being allocated to promote the adoption of a new geocentric geodetic datum for Australia.

The vision of an NSDI incorporates the components or concepts of metadata, clearinghouse, data standards and core data sets. As in the United States, the ASDD uses World Wide Web technology and standard commercial web browsers. Clearinghouse implementations must have the ability to search for geospatial data over the Internet, and therefore the communications protocol known as Z39.50 is typically used with servers. The address of the ASDI is <www.environment.gov.au/database/metadata/asdd> .The Australian NSDI does not provide access to spatial data sets with global coverage.

The Australian NSDI is formally affiliated with several global or regional spatial data infrastructure initiatives, as indicated below. Australia, through ANZLIG, plays several parts:

• Executive Board member of the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP) and is involved in the development of a policy and implementation plan for an Asia-Pacific Spatial Data Infrastructure;

• Member of the International Steering Committee for Global Mapping and will be contributing data to this initiative;

• Member of the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) executive committee and has formal representation on standards committees such as the ISO TC211 working groups. Regarding the long-term vision and strategic plan, an initial discussion paper on the ASDI

was published by ANZLIC in November 1996 setting out a vision for the ASDI, which is available on the ANZLIC web page at <www.anzlic.org.au/anzdiscu.htm>. The federal government has since produced a Commonwealth position paper on the ASDI, which is accessible on the Web at <www.auslig.gov.au/pipc/asdi/asdihome.htm> together with information on ASDI developments.

One of the most pressing challenges for NSDI development in Australia is ensuring the cooperation of all levels of government in the development and implementation of ASDI policies, and achieving a uniform access and pricing policy across all Australian jurisdictions.

A cost-benefit analysis study, “The Australian Land and Geographic Data Infrastructure Benefits Study”, was commissioned by ANZLIC in 1995 and is available from ANZLIC (SIE 1998a). 1.8 Major national journals and publications related to space technology applications, in

both local and foreign languages

- The Australian Map Circle Newsletter: Distributed to the members three to four times a year. URL: australianmapcircle.org.au/newsletter/index.html.

- The monthly CCSC e-NEWS: Keeps readers up-to-date with CAD and GIS technology.

- Traverse: A newsletter by the Institution of Surveyors – Australia, posted to all members of the Tasmanian Division of the Institute.

- WALIS News: Newsletter of the Western Australian Land Information System (WALIS).

A page of links to various online publications can be found at <www.gisdevelopment.net/publications/ezine/index.htm>. 1.9 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Australia from 1997 to 2006

The Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems (CRCSS) co-hosted, with JAXA and MEXT of Japan, the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), in Canberra, November 2004. It also hosted the Symposium on Microsatellite Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific, in Canberra, 2000.

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The sixth Annual Conference and Exhibition: A Geospatial Odyssey, GITA Conference 2001, was held on 27-30 August 2001 at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney, Australia, which was organized by the Geospatial Information and Technology Association (GITA) (GIS Development 2006). 1.10 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Australia is a member

Below are some of the international organizations of which Australia is a member:

• The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS); • United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • GEO and Earth Observation Summits; • Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Advisory member to Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP).

1.11 Department of Education, Science and Training

The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) provides assistance to sustaining Australia’s position at the leading-edge of important fields of space science research (e.g. remote sensing and earth observation). This includes advising the Minister for Education, Science and Training on space science policy, managing inter-governmental relationships and working with stakeholders to address specific issues.

As part of responsibility for inter-governmental science and technology relationships, DEST manages a number of treaty-level science and technology cooperation agreements. These include several that aim to support space-related research:

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Space Agency for a Cooperative Space Vehicle Tracking Programme (as amended by the exchange of letters June 1987).

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning the Conduct of Scientific Balloon Flights for Civilian Research Purposes (Canberra, February 2006).

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities (as amended by an exchange of letters August 2000).

DEST also participates in the Australian Government Space Forum (AGSF), which facilitates

information sharing across Australian government agencies. 2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes (space segment)

Within CSIRO, about 50 staff are involved in Earth observation research, across seven divisions, including Marine and Atmospheric Research, Land and Water, Mathematics and Information Sciences, Sustainable Ecosystems, Exploration and Mining, Forestry and Forest Products, and Livestock Industries. Where possible, COSSA assists these teams with better access to new satellite data streams and represents their interest at various national interagency and international committees. 2.1.1 Calibration and validation activities

CSIRO has been engaged in an international activity to provide calibration and validation data from carefully selected field sites for comparisons with satellite measurements. The primary goal of the work is to establish a set of ground-truth radiation measurements that can be used to verify satellite measurements, and be used for inter-comparisons with climate model simulations. One of the primary sites used by CSIRO is Tinga Tingana in Australia’s central Strzelecki Desert (location: S29.0, E139.75). The site is well characterized as being one of the brightest desert targets in Australia

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(r~0.35) and with the most uniform target over time on a 1+ km scale (cv<2% over large areas). For close to 10 years CSIRO has undertaken continuous aerosol characterization at this site.

In 2002, several CSIRO divisions took part in NASA’s EO-1 Science Validation activities, in particular for the Hyperion hyperspectral sensor on board this technology-demonstration satellite. A number of field calibration campaigns with a range of field spectroradiometers were undertaken, in particular to Lake Frome and an agricultural site called Colleambally. The project was coordinated by Mr David Jupp at the CSIRO Earth Observation Centre (EOC), and a report on this activity available on the COSSA website, <www.COSSA.csiro.au>. In part due to this experience and a long interest in imaging spectroscopy applications, CSIRO undertook a consultancy for a Japanese consortium headed by Itochu Corporation, to design and establish the commercial market for a hyperspectral satellite called “Hyper-X”. At the time of writing, Japan and international partners are in discussion about the timing and funding of this potential mission. 2.1.2 Common AVHRR Processing System (CAPS)

The Common AVHRR Processing System (CAPS) is a suite of platform-independent software that has been developed to provide uniform base processing (calibration and navigation) of AVHRR data at all Australian reception and distribution sites.

The CSIRO science working group CAPS continues to establish “best practice” approaches for processing AVHRR data. The aims of the approach are to reduce redundant algorithm development; to increase scientific return on investment; to ensure that those who develop useful algorithms are appropriately acknowledged; to assure greater scientific integrity; and to make provision for easier re-processing in the event of improvements to algorithms.

COSSA and the CSIRO Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research have funded the CAPS project, in close cooperation with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The use of this processing system at all Australian AVHRR stations will ensure that common formats, products, and archives will be applied to all data sets. Research programmes and applications across CSIRO requiring data have already begun using CAPS time-series data from Australian AVHRR stations.

CSIRO has participated in the geophysical validation of sea surface temperature as derived from infrared satellite sensors such as AVHRR, MODIS and AATSR instruments launched on NASA, European and Japanese satellites respectively. Radiometric instruments have been developed and deployed on vessels in three coordinated programmes. One is a joint project with the Australian Institute of Marine Science that uses a tourist ferry which makes daily trips to the Outer Barrier Reef; the second uses a passenger ferry between Fremantle and Rottnest Island; and the third, based in Hobart, is a joint programme with the Bureau of Meteorology, using the three Hobart-based research vessels (Franklin, Southern Surveyor and Aurora Australis). Both radiometric and bulk SST data have been collected on a regular basis for comparison with the satellite-derived products. The extensive data sets collected are also aiding in air-sea interaction and climate-related studies. 2.2 Meteorological satellite application programmes (space segment)

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is the main agency in Australia responsible for natural disaster monitoring through its statutory responsibility to provide national weather services. The Bureau operates a real-time network for the reception and processing of remotely sensed data from meteorological and related satellites. Due to the cessation of the high-resolution imaging function of Japan’s GMS-5 geostationary meteorological satellite in March 2003, the Bureau has consolidated its reception network to include the data from the United States satellite GOES-9. GOES-9 is currently situated over 155° East as a backup for GMS-5. The Bureau’s network currently consists of facilities in Melbourne and at Crib Point (80 km south-east of Melbourne) for the reception of the GOES-9 GVAR high-resolution imagery data and NOAA High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) stations at Darwin, Perth, Melbourne, Crib Point, Alice Springs and Casey (Antarctica). The facilities in Sydney and Darwin for reception of GMS-5 Stretched-VISSR (Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer) still exist but are currently not in use. These stations will return to operational status with the successful launch of Japan’s replacement for GMS-5, the Multifunctional Transport Satellite, MTSAT-1R. A number of other agencies operate satellite reception systems primarily for NOAA satellites. These include the Commonwealth Scientific, Industrial and Research Organization (CSIRO) and Australian Institute of Marine Science.

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For the Bureau, GOES-9 imager data is processed and archived in Melbourne using the Bureau’s distributed UNIX system. The Bureau continues to operate the Turn Around Ranging Stations (TARS) in support of Japan’s GMS-5 and China’s Fengyun-2 geostationary meteorological satellite. GMS-5 is being used for WEFAX and DCP functions.

Previous applications, which used the S-VISSR imagery from GMS-5, have been modified to use the imager data from GOES-9: these include atmospheric motion vectors at high temporal and spatial resolution, solar radiation, fog and low cloud detection, volcanic ash detection, tropical cyclone monitoring via the Dvorak technique, and bushfire monitoring. A number of satellite-derived applications support operational products and services to external users through the Bureau’s Web Service (www.bom.gov.au). These products are daily global insolation, daily regional sea surface temperatures, and Antarctic sea ice imagery. A low cloud/fog product has also been developed and is in operational use in support of the Bureau’s forecast and warning service, especially for aviation support. Some of these activities are described below. 2.2.1 Atmospheric motion vectors

The Bureau currently generates hourly, high spatial and temporal resolution cloud and water vapour motion vectors using GOES-9. These data are extremely important in monitoring and forecasting the development of natural disasters such as tropical cyclones. Data are assimilated into the Bureau’s Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models operationally in real time. At present, only vectors generated from IR imagery are utilized, but visible and water-vapour (WV) winds are under development. Impact has also been demonstrated using these winds in local NWP models for tropical cyclone forecasting. Wind data are now generated in BUFR format and current work is underway to assimilate the data using the Quality Indicator (QI) for quality control. The Bureau has implemented the QI in accordance with International Winds Workshop recommendations (Eumetsat 2000, 17-18).

2.2.2 Volcanic ash detection

Work is continuing on the discrimination of volcanic ash clouds from water/ice clouds using GOES-9 (and AVHRR) satellite data. Since the cessation of the imagery from GMS-5, GOES-9 is being used to help reduce the incidence of false alarms. The Bureau’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in Darwin provides advice on volcanic ash clouds within its area of responsibility for the aviation industry. The advisory messages are based on advice from aircraft, volcanological authorities, GOES-9 and NOAA satellite imagery, and a volcanic ash trajectory forecast model. In the future, MTSAT-1R will have improved thermal resolution, which will allow hourly monitoring of volcanic ash using its split window. In addition, the Bureau is likely to use MODIS data in further efforts to monitor ash clouds.

The Bureau has implemented an Atmospheric Transport Model (ATM) and maintains the necessary meteorological data files to respond promptly with trajectory and dispersion guidance in the event of an air pollution or related incident. Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC) scientists base the model on the Hysplit (V.4) model developed by NOAA Air Research Laboratory with some contribution. CSIRO scientists are also developing techniques for using MODIS data to detect volcanic ash clouds, including detection of sulphur dioxide. 2.2.3 ATOVS radiance data application

Research continues to optimize the assimilation of Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Soundings (ATOVS) radiances for NWP and develop and provide products from ATOVS radiance observations for synoptic, climate and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) applications. The ATOVS data is especially helpful for improving the accuracy of NWP models forecasting severe weather systems like tropical cyclones, severe storms and heavy rainfall or flooding events.

Local reception of NOAA ATOVS data in real time is currently routinely undertaken, using the AAPP pre-processor. Locally received NOAA-15 AMSU-A radiance data has been used via a 1-D VAR assimilation methodology with the Bureau’s operational Limited Area Prediction Scheme and has been shown to provide a positive impact on forecasts, even when the downlink of data was impaired by major aerial problems on the satellite.

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The Bureau’s current operational global assimilation system uses a One-Dimensional Variational (1D-VAR) retrieval of NOAA-15/-16 AMSU-A and HIRS radiances, utilizing 1D radiances from NESDIS. The Bureau has just implemented operational processing of HRPT data received at Perth, Darwin, Casey and Crib Point to level 1C/1D using the ATOVS and AVHRR Processing Package (AAPP) from Eumetsat. 2.2.4 Scatterometer data assimilation and oceanography

In the Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC) assimilation studies are in progress using ERS and QuikScat scatterometer data using techniques for interpolation at 10m since the Bureau’s global model normally has its lowest level at 90m. Results are encouraging in terms of comparison of first guess model speed with observed scatterometer speeds. Assimilation of the scatterometer data has highlighted areas for improvement in the assimilation schemes.

Considerable work is being done in BMRC and NMOC using satellite data for oceanography. This includes satellite-based AVHRR and AATSR SSTs and Topex/Poseidon altimetry for sea surface topography anomalies. Follow-on altimeter data from Jason-1 and ENVISAT satellites is also important. The satellite data are being complemented by many conventional data including Argo, the global array of profiling floats will give ocean profiles around the globe by 2005. The Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE) has its project office in the Bureau and aims to develop oceanographic assimilation systems in an analogous way to those systems currently used by atmospheric modellers. The oceanographic data are especially important for monitoring severe storms over ocean areas. 2.2.5 Normalized Difference Vegetation Indices and Grassland Curing Indices

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) products are produced by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Australian region using measurements from channels 1 and 2 of the AVHRR instrument on board the NOAA-16 and -17 satellites. The differential reflectance in these bands provides a means of monitoring density and vigour of green vegetation growth using the spectral reflectivity of solar radiation. This is especially important for monitoring drought. A number of other agencies in Australia including CSIRO and various government departments also produce and analyse NDVI data for drought applications.

In the Bureau, typically two sequential daytime orbits covering most of Australia are available for processing in near real time each day. Monthly Maximum Value Composite (MVC) NDVI maps in Mercator projection are produced by taking the highest value for each pixel for the month from all the daily composites created from the individual orbits. This minimizes data gaps in any particular composite due to cloud interference or missing data and overcomes some of the systemic errors (e.g. atmospheric and viewing geometry effects) that reduce the index value. Data are used to monitor monthly changes in vegetation and other drought/climate related matters; flood monitoring; fire scars; as input in fire weather forecasting via generation of grassland curing indices, and are available via the Bureau’s website at <www.bom.gov.au>. Recent improvements to the system include the implementation of more advanced navigation.

In addition to NDVI, the Bureau produces a Grassland Curing Index (GCI) product derived from NOAA AVHRR data. The product was developed at CSIRO Atmospheric Research and utilizes best-practice techniques for navigation, calibration and atmospheric correction. The result is a high-quality product, which is of great use to a range of customers including regional fire services. Grassland curing is a critical element in forecasting fire danger and management of existing fires, which are a major problem every year in the Australian summer months from about October to March. 2.2.6 Bushfire monitoring (hotspots and smoke)

The Bureau issues Fire Weather warnings as part of its public weather forecast and warning service. In support of this service, the Bureau has developed fire detection algorithms for use with AVHRR data. Specially enhanced multi-band AVHRR imagery is used in real time to monitor hotspots from bushfires (channel 3) and smoke (channels 1, 2 and 4 composites) during the Australian summer. During an intensive period in 1997 and 1998 Darwin AVHRR data was used continuously to monitor the location and extent of fires over Southeast Asia and Queensland. Smoke over East Timor was monitored and also fires in Australia, particularly in the southeast and in New South Wales in

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December 2001 and January 2002. Further catastrophic fires in early 2003 were monitored via AVHRR.

A number of other agencies are actively involved in real time fire monitoring including CSIRO, which runs a Sentinel system (see <www.sentinel.csiro.au>). Sentinel gives real time hot spot information using MODIS data. In addition, the Western Australian government Department of Land Information runs a real-time fire monitoring system using AVHRR and MODIS data (see <www.dli.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/Fire+Hotspots>).

Under the MODIS wild fire monitoring stream of Sentinel Asia project, besides Hokkaido University, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) – Thailand and The Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP) - Singapore, Australia through its Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization of Australia (CSIRO) provide data to Keio University in Japan to integrate the data and process it. Following the integration of information, which produced at Keio University, with Digital Asia, the products are disseminated to the users for fire fighting purposes through a web interface (Fukuda 2007). 2.2.7 Cyclone monitoring

The Bureau’s Regional Forecasting Centres at Perth, Darwin and Brisbane provide warnings of tropical cyclones via their respective Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC). GOES-9 imagery is critical to this operational activity, and is complemented with AVHRR data for monitoring fine detail of the tropical cyclones, plus positioning by radar, and analysis and prognosis within the NWP models. Passive microwave data from the Internet is also used, particularly for intensity estimates, while scatterometer winds are invaluable for intensity and accurately locating the eye. 2.2.8 FY-1C and 1D data

The Bureau has made extensive use of China’s FY-1C and FY-1D satellites for monitoring natural disasters. FY-1D is currently received in Crib Point and experimentally in Darwin, the main use of the data being for forecasting and the preparation of false colour-enhanced imagery using selected channels. An FY-1D reception capability is currently being implemented in Casey in Antarctica. FY-1D data is useful in ash cloud detection, hotspot detection and smoke plume mapping, and sea ice monitoring, amongst other applications. 2.2.9 X-band data

The Bureau is a member of two consortia comprising government agencies and universities, which operate X-band reception stations in Australia. These stations provide MODIS data for various applications. 2.2.10 Other satellite data sources

In addition to the above, the Bureau also receives satellite data that it uses in disaster monitoring, including ERS-2 data, DMSP, Meteosat and GOES imagery, QuikSCAT, Envisat radar altimeter, and Envisat AATSR. For example, QuikSCAT data is being assimilated into numerical models on a research basis prior to operations. As well as defining the fields better near the surface for NWP, the surface wind products from the models, which are vital for oceanographic applications, should also be improved. The data will be assimilated in real time in the next upgrade to the Bureau’s global NWP model GASP, which will have an improved boundary layer component. 2.2.11 Hydrological systems

Bureau Flood Warning Centres in the capital city of each state and territory in Australia provide a range of flood warning services to emergency management agencies within their respective regions. There is a growing but still limited use of satellites for detecting and monitoring the extent and movement of flooding in large inland river systems. Satellite observations do, however, play an important role in the estimation of precipitation as a forecast input to the flood prediction process. Current research underway in the Bureau of Meteorology, in collaboration with the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology, is looking at the integration of satellite observations with radar and gauge observations to produce improved areal rainfall estimates for a wide range of operational hydrology and water resources assessment applications.

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The INMARSAT mini-M network is used operationally for flood warning data collection in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, with test sites located in other states. At present, rainfall and river level data is collected from a total of 24 locations (13 in Western Australia and 11 in the Northern Territory). The use of satellites for hydrological data collection is expected to grow as the temporal and spatial coverage of satellite systems improves. 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

2.3.1 Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

The Bureau’s network currently consists of facilities in Melbourne and at Crib Point (80 km south east of Melbourne) for the reception of the GOES-9 GVAR high-resolution imagery data and NOAA High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) stations at Darwin, Perth, Melbourne, Crib Point, Alice Springs and Casey (Antarctica). The facilities in Sydney and Darwin for reception of GMS-5 stretched visible and infrared spin scan radiometer (S-VISSR) still exist but are currently not in use. These stations will return to operational status with the successful launch of Japan’s replacement for GMS-5, the Multifunctional Transport Satellite, MTSAT-1R. A number of other agencies operate satellite reception systems primarily for NOAA satellites. These include the Commonwealth Scientific, Industrial and Research Organization (CSIRO) and Australian Institute of Marine Science. 2.3.2 SeaWiFS and MODIS Data Reception

The CSIRO Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research in Hobart, Tasmania, have maintained a reception capability of ocean colour data, as well as MODIS data, from Terra and Aqua satellites, via the Hobart, Tasmania X-Band receiving station (TERSS). SeaWiFS data are acquired primarily for the Indian Ocean by the Perth-based receiving station, WASTAC. The full data set within the range of the Hobart and Perth stations are being archived for use in climate, fisheries, and terrestrial applications programmes.

The Tasmanian Earth Resources Satellite Station (TERSS) in Hobart, Tasmania, continues to receive satellite data. The receiving station was wholly Australian designed and built. Mr David Griersmith, from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, now heads the operating board responsible for the management of the facility. Mr Alex Held, Head of COSSA, is a member of the TERSS board, as well as the Western Australian Satellite Technology and Applications Consortium (WASTAC) Board.

The ground station at the Institute for Telecommunications Research, Mawson Lakes in South Australia is utilized to operate FedSat (CRCSS 2006). 3. NASA Deep Space Network

CSIRO is responsible to NASA under a cooperating agencies agreement for the operation of the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex located at Tidbinbilla. This complex, as one of the three in the global network, featured in supporting the successful Mars missions in late 2003 and early 2004. The Parkes radio telescope was added to the network for this period to support the tracking of the large number of spacecraft. Under this agreement, CSIRO has responsibility for management of a mission critical facility for all of NASA’s solar system exploration flight projects. Through this partnership, which is approaching half a century of mutually beneficial collaboration (2010 will see 50 years of treaty-documented collaboration), the Government of Australia has played a critical role in the world’s advancement in understanding of the universe. 4. Programmes or projects supported by integrated applications of remote sensing

(including airborne methods), communication, satellite-based positioning, and other space technologies and ICT

Australia’s only scientific satellite, FedSat, an experimental and engineering test satellite, reached four years of operation at the end of 2006. FedSat has had remarkable achievements as an international cooperative space mission, including contributions to space physics, satellite communications and spacecraft computing.

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In its four year life to date, FedSat has obtained important data that will help scientists to predict the effect of solar radiation on the Earth and help maintain the operation of the many satellites on which we have come to depend.

The satellite will continue to be operated from the Ground Station at the Institute for Telecommunications Research, Mawson Lakes in South Australia (CRCSS 2006). 5. Operational products and services and their major application fields

As discussed above, CSIRO has participated in the geophysical validation of sea surface temperature as derived from infrared satellite sensors. Additionally, radiometric instruments have been developed and deployed on sea vessels, such as passenger ferries to the Outer Barrier Reef and between Fremantle and Rottnest Island, and three Hobart-based research vessels (Franklin, Southern Surveyor and Aurora Australis). The radiometric and bulk SST data that have been collected are compared with the satellite-derived products, and they are aiding in air-sea interaction and climate-related studies.

(a) Near-real-time satellite data delivery: In 2002, members of the CSIRO Division of Land and Water implemented a system called “Sentinel Hotspots”, intended to showcase the utility of satellite image products delivered in a time-critical manner to emergency managers. The system was officially launched to the Australian public by Australia’s science minister just days before the devastating January 2003 fires in south-eastern Australia. The system proved extremely popular, and is currently being expanded to provide additional information on other emergencies such as flooding, toxic algae and oil spills. In early 2005, the system was further operationalized and transferred to computers operated by Geoscience Australia as a regular wildfire spotting and tracking service (see <www.sentinel.ga.gov.au>). A larger, multi-hazard system with similar functionality and webGIS delivery called “Sentinel Asia” is currently being implemented in the region under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Space Agency Forum (more information is available at <www.aprsaf.org> and <dmss.tksc.jaxa.jp/sentinel>).

(b) ATSR-2 and AATSR: CSIRO continues to be a major user of ATSR data for both marine and land surface applications. Algorithms are continually improved and developed for the derivation of land and sea surface temperatures and for climate research applications. The AATSR Science Plan is well advanced and involved significant input from CSIRO.

Box 1. Sentinel Fire: A web-based wildfire information dissemination system

The Sentinel Fire Mapping web site is an Internet-based mapping tool designed to provide timely fire location data to emergency service managers across Australia. The mapping system allows users to identify fire locations that pose a potential risk to communities and property. It can be accessed using a standard web browser. The system also supports additional topographic data (250-K maps) and offers interoperable web mapping and feature services.

After the devastating bush fires of December 2001 and January 2002, the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organization (DIGO) identified a pressing need to implement a system to detect, monitor and disseminate bush fire information. It was recognized that the technology to implement such a system was available at a continent-wide scale, using Earth-observing satellite technology and web-based mapping systems. Sentinel Fire is the result of collaboration between DIGO, CSIRO Land and Water, and Australian Geosciences to design and build a system that will help protect Australians during bushfires.

Sentinel Fire currently obtains data through Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors on board Terra (morning pass) and Aqua (afternoon pass) satellites. Images are captured over a given point at least four times a day, between the two satellites, each with a ground swath of 2,330 km and day/night coverage. The raw image data is received by the Australian Centre for Remote Sensing (ACRES) Data Acquisition Facility at Alice Springs. The data is processed by a dedicated server to create a surface temperature image known as the MOD14 product. Locations of high temperature are identified and extracted from the image into a small text file and transmitted from Alice Springs to Canberra where they are fed into a spatial database. From there the data can be queried and added to dynamically created maps using a web-based mapping system. Users can access the map web site with a standard browser to query the database for fire locations, and select layers of contextual information to create map displays of areas of interest. Sources: “About Sentinel”, <www.sentinel.csiro.au/sentinel.html>; “Sentinel finds a permanent home at Geoscience Australia”, <www.ga.gov.au/ausgeonews/ausgeonews200512/inbrief.jsp>; and SDI-Asia/Pacific Newsletter, February 2006, Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 5, <gsdi.org/Newsletters/SDIAPv3n2.pdf>.

The Sentinel home page is at <sentinel1.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/index.shtml>.

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2. AZERBAIJAN

Responding agency:

Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency (ANASA), Ministry of Defence Industry. 1. National space programmes and activities

The Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency (ANASA) is responsible for coordination of the country’s space activities. It is a government organization with a mandate specified in a decree issued by the President of Azerbaijan.

ANASA consists of the Institute for Space Researches of Natural Resources, Scientific and Research Institute of Aerospace Informatics, Institute of Ecology, Space Device Experience Plane, Special Space Device Development Bureau, and Special Technology Development Bureau. ANASA is also actively involved in joint and cooperative activities with the Academy of Sciences, State Committees on Hydrometeorology, Geodesy and Cartography, and Ecology of Azerbaijan, and other government research and industrial organizations.

The programme is basically based on the development and creation of a nationwide system for ecology monitoring, including GIS, natural and anthropogenic environment pollution, natural disasters, land cover and its degradation, and climate and weather, as well as development of a system for collecting, processing, archiving and disseminating aerospace data.

ANASA has a specialized department in the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, the National Aviation Academy, and a joint research/training laboratory within the Technical and Technology Education University. ANASA itself delivers courses in M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes and is actively involved in the Centre of People Teaching and Training for Behaviour during natural catastrophes National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Alchin Shirin-zada Director General National Aerospace Agency Ministry of Defence Industry 159 Azadlig Ave. Baku, AZ 1106, Azerbaijan Fax: +994-12-562 1738 Tel.: +994-12-562 9387 Email: a.shirin-zadeh@box.az

2. Political commitment and institutional aspects

2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

Azerbaijan was one of the 15 constituent republics of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It became a separate and sovereign country following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

Its national space agency, the Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency (ANASA), has been involved since 1975 in various aspects of the erstwhile Soviet space program. For example, an X-ray telescope developed by ANASA during the Soviet era still functions in the astrophysical laboratory on the Soviet/Russian manned space station “Mir”. ANASA was involved in various fields at that time, including remote sensing. It thus possesses facilities, as well as personnel, with experience and expertise in various fields relating to space technology and its applications, which are contributing to different nation-building activities in an independent Azerbaijan.

ANASA comprises five constituent units, namely the Institute for Space Researches of Natural Resources, Scientific and Research Institute of Aerospace Informatics, Institute of Ecology, Space Device Experience Plane, Special Space Device Development Bureau, and Special Technology Development Bureau. Each of these units is responsible for specific aspects of the national space

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effort. ANASA is also actively engaged in collaborative activities with the Academy of Sciences, the State Committees on Hydrometeorology, Geodesy and Cartography, and Ecology of the Azerbaijan Republic, as well as other government research and industrial organizations. The main thrust areas in the national space programme are the use of satellite and airborne remote sensing and GIS technologies to study natural resources and the environmental and ecological problems facing the country, with special focus on the Caspian Sea area. ANASA is also engaged in developing software for data processing and thematic mapping, as well as designing airborne information measurement systems comprising sensor and control subsystems. With the purpose of improving electronic communications and information technology of country in the coming years, the setting up a receiving station for remote sensing data is being contemplated. Azerbaijan is also increasingly participating in regional and international space-related activities and programs. It acts as the national focal point for RESAP.

Like the other republics that formed part of the former Soviet Union, Azerbaijan is currently passing through a difficult period as it makes the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy. However, a turnaround in the economic situation should help to enlarge the scope and size of the national space effort beyond its current modest level. 2.2 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of

legislation, policies and strategies

Under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies, Azerbaijan has developed its National ICT Strategy covering the period 2003 to 2013. For more information, readers may refer to the web site at <www.nicts.az>.

3. Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Azerbaijan is a member

Below are some of the international organizations of which Azerbaijan is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

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3. BANGLADESH Responding agency:

Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Md. Nazmul Huda Khan Chairman Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) Mohakash Biggyan Bhaban. Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh Fax: +88-2-811-3080 Tel.: +88-2-814-1402 / 913-1741 Email: admin@sparrso.gov.bd

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

The Bangladesh National Assembly passed an act in 1991 to create the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Defence.

Bangladesh, with its high population and limited resources, is always under pressure for the proper management of its natural resources. Moreover, natural disasters, such as tropical cyclones, tornadoes, floods and drought, frequently hit Bangladesh and cause loss of life and extensive damage to property. SPARRSO has played a pioneering role in the applications of space technology. It is the national focal point for remote sensing activities in the country. Since its creation, SPARRSO has been using remote sensing techniques in the fields of forestry, fisheries, agriculture, meteorology, oceanography, environmental studies, and disasters such as floods, cyclones and so forth. In addition, SPARRSO, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and the Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) have been using satellite technology for the last 30 years. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Survey of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Geological Survey of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and NGOs are using this technology for their own purposes. Over time, some of the government organizations and NGOs have developed their own image processing and GIS facilities, including the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) and LGED. 1.2.2 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of

legislation, policies and strategies

SPARRSO is the national focal point for the peaceful use of space science and technology in the country.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department is the national agency for weather forecasting in the country. It is using meteorological satellite data for forecasting cyclones, floods and other natural disasters.

The Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board is the national focal point for telecommunication. It has four satellite ground receiving stations through which BTTB provides national and international telecommunication services; transmission and reception of television programmes, fax, email, cable television network, cellular phone signals and so forth, inside and outside the country.

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1.2.3 General information on national space activities

Space technology applications in Bangladesh started in 1968 with the establishment of an APT ground receiving station in the then Atomic Energy Centre. This station was put under the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Centre (SARC) of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC). In 1972, the Earth Resources Technology Satellite Programme was taken up in Bangladesh with the advent of the American EROS satellite and it was renamed the Bangladesh Landsat Programme (BLP), following the renaming of the programme by NASA. SPARRSO was created in 1980 by merging SARC and BLP. SPARRSO was established with order No. STD (S-1)/21-31/80, dated 26 November 1980, by the Science and Technology Division of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Since its inception, SPARRSO has been working as a national focal point for all remote sensing and related activities in Bangladesh.

SPARRSO has completed a number of applications and research projects using remote sensing techniques and GIS. It has also played a pioneering role in capacity-building in the country through organizing training programmes on remote sensing and GIS. Currently it is engaged in Enumeration Area Mapping for the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, flood mitigation study in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology, desertification study, generation of crop statistics on a regular basis, river erosion and some others. It is supporting the government and NGOs by providing information on natural disasters, infrastructure, environmental profiles and natural resources.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), established in 1972, is responsible for river flood forecasts and flood warnings during the flood season. Via direct acquisition facilities, FFWC receives NOAA-12 and NOAA-14 images and monitors cloud and depression movements, precipitation estimation from cloud temperature analysis, and cyclones.

The Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services carries out a wide range of applications of remote sensing in various fields, with special emphasis on the water sector. CEGIS was established as a public trust in 2002 by the Government of Bangladesh and has been functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Water Resources and a board of trustees comprising representatives from various government agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions. The mission of CEGIS, as a scientifically independent centre of excellence, is to support the management of natural resources for sustainable socio-economic development using integrated environmental analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and information technology (IT). Over the last decade, CEGIS has developed capabilities in terms of expertise, hardware and software for digital image processing, GIS analysis, building digital spatial databases, GIS modelling, differential GPS surveys and meta-databases. 1.3 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

SPARRSO, the Local Government Engineering Department and the Centre for Environment Geographic Information System (CEGIS) have the main remote sensing data analysis facilities in the country. Beside those, some universities, consultant firms and NGOs also have similar facilities on a smaller scale. 1.4 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Under the Ministry of Science and ICTs, Bangladesh has already developed its ICT policy framework. For more information on this subject, interested persons may refer to <www.mosict.gov.bd>.

Within the context of AP-MCSTA, a number of multilateral cooperation activities in space technology and its applications in the Asia-Pacific region have been carried out progressively. Along with China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, Bangladesh participated in the Small Multi-mission Satellite programme, which is expected to be launched in 2007. Moreover, initial success has been achieved in the expansion of applications of the space technology in remote sensing, disaster mitigation, environmental protection and other fields

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(Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005, 33).

On 28 October 2005, at the signing ceremony of the APSCO Convention, in Beijing, China, along with China, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand, the Government of Bangladesh also participated in the Convention and become a member (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005, 2). The principal objective of APSCO is to promote space science, space technology and space applications among the member countries, as well as to upgrade space capacity and promote national economic development through assisting member countries in technology development, applications and human resource training programmes. It is to make its due contribution to the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the peaceful use of outer space as a whole. 1.5 National spatial information infrastructure

In Bangladesh, the capability for geodata processing has improved significantly in many organizations. Data sharing arrangements exist between organizations through bilateral understanding in some cases. However, currently there is no active or proposed initiative for developing an NSDI. 1.6 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

SPARRSO has been organizing a number of international workshops and training programmes in collaboration with USAID, UNDP, ESCAP and IGBP. Such programmes are also attended by foreign participants. Currently, some national and official training programmes are undertaken with local participants. 1.7 Major national journals and publications related to space technology applications, in

both local and foreign languages

Bangladesh produces the following publications relevant to space technology:

• Journal of Environment and Remote Sensing (annually); • Newsletter (quarterly); • Annual Report; • Dur Anudhaban Shamoyikee (Bengali magazine on remote sensing) (occasionally).

1.8 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Bangladesh between 1997 and 2006

The seventh Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system management was held in Dhaka on 7-11 December 1998. The seminar was jointly organized by the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan, ESCAP and SPARRSO, with technical support from the Remote Sensing and Space Technology Centre of Japan. The seminar was attended by 80 scientists from home and abroad.

A one-day workshop on the Applications of Radarsat Data for Evaluating 1998 Floods in Bangladesh and its Impact on Agriculture, was held at SPARRSO, Dhaka, on 16 March 1999. The preliminary results of the evaluation were presented in the workshop. The workshop was organized by SPARRSO in cooperation with the Canadian International development Agency (CIDA) and the Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS).

1.9 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Bangladesh is a member

Listed below are some of the international organizations of which Bangladesh is a member:

• GEO and Earth Observation Summits; • Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO); • Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR);

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• Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA); • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); • United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs; • Inter Islamic Network on Science and Technology (ISNET); • International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

1.10 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

Cabinet

Member (Application)

Library

Security

Information

Administration Establishment

Geology Division

Ground Truth Division

Oceanography Division

Water Resources Division

Ministry of Defence

Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO)

CHAIRMAN

Secretary

Store/Procurement

Budget//Accounts

Finance Adviser

Finance Officer

Forestry Division

Agriculture Division

Fisheries Division

Member (Technology)

Rocket Technology Development Division

R.R.S.C.

Instrumentation & Data Processing

Division

Photographic Division

Ground Station Division

Cartographic Division

Member (Research)

Ocean Physics Division

Agro & Hydro Meteorology

Division

Atmospheric Physics Division

Space Physics & Rocket Dynamics

Figure 1. National organizational structure on space technology applications in Bangladesh

2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.1.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

(a) Flood mapping and monitoring with SAR: Floods inundate 30 per cent of the country in normal monsoon years, and occasional excessive floods inundate more than 60 per cent of the country. Because of dense cloud cover during the monsoon flooding period, SAR has proven to be the most reliable tool for mapping and monitoring the dynamics of the flooding process. CEGIS carried out research in 1993, 1996 and 1997 using the European ERS-1 and Canadian Radarsat-1 SAR images (under ADRO funding) to develop a methodology to map open-water flooding.

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During the catastrophic floods of 1998, Radarsat Scan SAR Wide and Scan SAR Narrow images, covering almost the entire country, were used in near-real-time mode. Flood maps showing open-water flooded areas and percentage of area flooded were produced for disaster management and relief distribution.

In the year 2000, satellite images were used as a major source of data to map crop and settlement damage in a part of the country. The maps and other associated statistics of flood damage were disseminated to government agencies, NGOs, donor agencies and daily newspapers.

Flood mapping of almost the entire country with Radarsat Wide Beam and/or ScanSAR Narrow images continued during the monsoon seasons of 2000 through 2004.

(b) Flood plain research: In 1998, methods were developed for computing flood extent, depth and duration using a time series of 10 Radarsat F3 SAR images, digital elevation model, GIS data and hydrological information. Land use/land cover patterns were generated from the SAR images with the support of ground truth information.

(c) River morphology dynamics: A unique expertise has been developed in CEGIS for studying different morphological aspects of rivers using satellite images. CEGIS has one and a half decades of experience in analysing the plan form characteristics of the major rivers in Bangladesh. On an operational basis, it has supported the maintenance of a number of bank protections, flood control and infrastructure projects along the rivers by providing spatial data on bank erosion, accretion, char (bar) development and river channel migration.

(d) River erosion prediction: CEGIS has developed a method for predicting the morphological process and bank erosion along the Jamuna, Ganges and Padma Rivers based on satellite images. The methodology makes it possible to predict morphological development and bank erosion one to two years ahead. Prediction of bank erosion and morphological changes of the major rivers of the country has been done on a regular basis for the last couple of years.

(e) Coastal morphology: Morphological changes in the very dynamic coastal areas of Bangladesh have been studied using a large multi-temporal image data set running from 1973 to 2004 to support feasibility studies for land reclamation and the development of reclaimed land. Erosion and accretion processes have been mapped and monitored and quantified. CEGIS also identified submerged tidal mudflats and assessed the changes in the intertidal areas using satellite images.

(f) Environmental impact assessment: Satellite-based remote sensing data has become a vital support tool for environmental impact assessments (EIA). It is used to assess baseline conditions and to anticipate environmental impacts, identify mitigation measures and carry out environmental monitoring during and after project implementation. The two major EIAs in the water sector, i.e. the Gorai River Restoration Project (1998-1999, funded by the World Bank) and the Khulna Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project (2000-2002, funded by ADB), which were carried out by CEGIS, have based much of their analysis on remote sensing data.

Remote sensing and GIS techniques are used for data on channel networks, communication infrastructure, settlements, land use patterns, seasonal and perennial water bodies and flood extent maps derived from Landsat TM, IRS and Radarsat satellite imagery. The high-resolution images have shown minute details of the land use and land cover of the impact area. Information from the images has been used in various aspects, such as analysis of fish habitat, fish migration and movement, aquaculture, cropping pattern, crop production, irrigation, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem, and more. 2.1.2 Building national-level spatial databases

(a) The National Water Resources Database (NWRD): The NWRD, developed by CEGIS to support the National Water Management Plan, consists of themes such as hydrology, geology, soils, topography, demography, flood depth, agro-climatic data, infrastructure and administrative boundaries. A large part of the database was based on satellite image data.

(b) Integrated Coastal Resources Database (ICRD): Recently, an Integrated Coastal Resources Database has been developed, making extensive use of remote sensing in delineating islands, analysing erosion and accretion, and assessing land, water and forest resources. A Coastal Island Information System (CIIS) was also developed, incorporating primary information collected

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from the field and generated from satellite images of 2005 and secondary information on coastal islands and chars.

(c) Mapping: Mapping is done using high-resolution images (Ikonos, QuickBird and Cartosat) and medium-resolution images (IRS PAN, IRS MONO, IRS LISS, Landsat, SPOT and ASTER) for water, power, energy, transportation, telecommunications and urban sectors.

(d) Disaster risk reduction: CEGIS carried out the “Community-based Flood Information System” for risk reduction by providing prediction information on floods to local communities. GIS-based software for a flood forecasting information system was developed, which used radar satellite images (Radarsat Fine Beam) to support the updating of topographic data and flood depth mapping. Flood vulnerability mapping has also been done using high-resolution QuickBird images.

Under the Environmental Monitoring Information Network (EMIN) project, national-level and local-level flood extent maps (radar image based) were produced and disseminated through email to national and local-level stakeholders. Erosion prediction information based on satellite imagery was also disseminated to the national and local stakeholders under this project.

(e) Land use and land cover: Data on different types of land use – such as agricultural areas, crop types, aquaculture farms, salt pans, tea gardens, orchards, settlements, homestead forests, fallow land and built-up areas – and land cover, such as rivers, water bodies, sand bars, silt, mudflats, mangrove forests and hill forests, have been derived from satellite images of various different resolutions ranging from 100 m to 60 cm, depending on the required scale. The images used include Landsat, SPOT, ERS-2, Radarsat, ASTER, IRS LISS, IRS PAN and MONO, Ikonos and QuickBird, among others.

(f) Agriculture: Different types of crops raised in dry and wet seasons have been distinguished and mapped using optical and radar satellite images. CEGIS has experience in mapping of boro, aman, aus rice crops, potato and pulses using Landsat, IRS LISS, ASTER and Radarsat Standard Beam Images. Crop maps generated throughout the various seasons in a year were compiled to generate a “cropping pattern” map. Time series of images have been used to map changes in acreage in order to monitor the performance of interventions such as irrigation projects and drainage rehabilitation projects.

(g) Fisheries: Satellite images have been used for fishery resources inventory, identification of fish habitat, dry season water body identification, pond inventory, mapping aquaculture farms, land use suitability analysis for aquaculture, and other purposes. Aquatic biodiversity assessment of beels (water bodies) has been carried out using high-resolution satellite images.

(h) Forestry: Mangrove forest mapping has been done using Landsat and ASTER images. Highland forests have been classified into low-, medium- and high-density forests. Detailed mapping of protected forest areas has been done using QuickBird images. Information on new mangrove forest areas and progress of afforestation in the coastal region is crucial for coastal resource managers to identify the lands suitable for further development. In 2005, mangrove areas in the entire coastal region were identified from analysis of IRS LISS III images. 2.1.3 Earth observation satellites

Bangladesh has no remote sensing satellites at present. But there is a proposal for a Bangladesh Advanced High-resolution Multi-purpose Satellite for future development. It will be a high-resolution Earth observation satellite with a turn-key service option, know-how technology transfer, and establishment of appropriate manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh. 2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

As one of the eight signatory countries of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA) Convention, signed in Beijing on 28 October 2005, in March 2006, Bangladesh has received meteorological satellite data reception equipment from China. The equipment, based on Digital Video Broadcast via Satellite (DVB-S) technology, would provide real-time data collected by China’s Fengyun meteorological satellite series. The move aims to pool the meteorological information in the Asia-Pacific region and help reduce natural disasters and promote social and economic prosperity in the region (People’s Daily Online 2006).

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This user reception systems of FengyunCast, a global network of satellite-based data dissemination systems, provide environmental data to a world-wide user community. In July 2006, Bangladesh attended the FengyunCast user training workshop, which was organized and hosted by CMA for those receiving user reception systems (Zheng et al. 2007). 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

• Plans for SPARSSO include the following components: Equip SPARRSO with a multi-purpose satellite ground station for receiving data from Earth resources and weather satellites to strengthen national support services for disaster preparedness programmes and environment monitoring in Bangladesh;

• Develop SPARRSO as a self-contained operational resources data (microwave and optical) centre with adequate processing, analysing and archiving facilities. The centre will also be used as a national satellite data bank;

• Build up the capability to participate in resource and weather satellite data utilization programmes in cooperation with other countries in Asia and the Pacific and other international organizations, to enhance both regional and international cooperation.

2.3.1 Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

SPARRSO has a NOAA satellite receiving station with MTSAT. The data received are used for weather forecasting, meteorological research, crop forecasting and sea surface temperature data analysis. Aside from the Meteorological Department and Flood Forecasting Unit of Bangladesh, the Water Development Board also has a NOAA satellite data receiving stations for flood forecasting and planning.

In addition to the NOAA satellite receiving station, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department also has an INSAT satellite data receiving station. Even though SPARRSO had a GMS receiving station, it is not operational at present, owing to the end of the GMS series of satellites.

Bangladesh was one of the seven recipients of FengyunCast user reception systems in March 2006, and it attended the FengyunCast user training workshop in July 2006 (Zheng et al. 2007). 2.3.2 RAPIDS ground receiving station

RAPIDS, a low-cost, small, easily transportable, PC-based ground receiving station was set up for the monsoon of 1999 for nine months to receive ERS SAR images for demonstrating near-real-time flood mapping and monitoring. A large archive of multi-temporal ERS-2 images, both in ascending and descending mode, were collected for a major part of the country and processed in near real time. The images were applied in flood extent and depth mapping, and crop and shrimp farm mapping. The station was set up at SPARRSO, and the project was carried out in collaboration with SPARRSO, NLR and Synoptics of the Netherlands, with funding from the European Space Agency. 3. Other space application programmes

3.1 Satellite-based positioning programmes

A large number of government and private agencies use global positioning systems. Some private agencies provide this service to clients. The Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS) is being used for a large number of applications, which include surveying, dredging, natural resource management, offshore oil and gas exploration, fleet management by maritime port, GIS, military services and instrumental landing system in airports.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is the only organization providing satellite-based correction service for DGPS. The DGPS of BIWTA consists of three reference stations, DECCA CHAIN stations, one each in Dohazari (Chittagong), Monirampur (Jessore) and Rupchandrapur (Mymensingh), which are broadcasting continuously (24 hours a day) DGPS corrections via beacon transmitters within a frequency range 283.5-325.0 kHz. The range of each Beacon station is 300 km, ensuring coverage of the whole territory of Bangladesh. The system

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delivers a positioning accuracy of (latitude, longitude, altitude and timing) 1-5 metres for GPS users. The correction information is encoded in the data format of the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services Special Committee (RTCM SC-104). BIWTA uses their DGPS system and radio link for monitoring their navigation routes.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board also has GPS and DGPS systems. The Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services and the Institute of Water Modelling, which are both public trusts under the Ministry of Water Resources, have GPS and DGPS system.

The Geology Department of Dhaka University also has GPS and DGPS systems and they are performing post-processing GPS correction system with accuracy at millimetre level. They have around 23 sub-base-stations for monitoring tectonic movement, but it does not provide services. 3.2 Programmes or projects supported by integrated applications of remote sensing

(including airborne methods), communication, satellite-based positioning, and other space technologies and ICT

SPARRSO is completing a project on Digital Enumeration Area Mapping covering the whole of Bangladesh, using digital aerial photography and DGPS. 4. Operational products and services and their major application fields

4.1 National and/or local policies on products and services for public benefit

The services and products of CEGIS relate to advice and consultancy, research and development, and training to assist in enhancing the quality of planning, implementation and monitoring of projects/programmes in both public and private sectors. It provides solutions to issues and problems in the sectors of water, land, agriculture, fisheries, environment, engineering, power, energy and transportation, among others, and recommends technical options based on local realities that are feasible from the socio-economic and institutional point of view. The major strength of CEGIS is its multidisciplinary group of highly qualified scientists and technical professionals, who bring a wide range of skills to the organization. There are over 80 professionals in the organization with expertise in various fields. 4.2 Applications for available products

The available products are used in remote sensing applications, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, meteorology, water resources, oceanography, geology, land use, urban development, coastal zone study, environment and numerous other fields.

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4. BHUTAN Responding agency:

Department of Survey and Land Records, Ministry of Agriculture • Centre for GIS Coordination (CGISC) • Geodetic Section

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

There is no national body for space technology per se due to the fact that Bhutan does not have a space programme. Regarding national-level coordination in geospatial technology, this would be the Centre for GIS Coordination (CGISC), which is mandated with ensuring multisectoral coordination of geospatial technology activities, which includes the fields of GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry and GPS.

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Dorji Tshering, Head Centre for GIS Coordination (CGISC) Department of Survey and Land Records, Ministry of Agriculture P.O. Box 142, Kawajangsa Thimphu, Bhutan Fax: +975-2-323565 Tel.: +975-2-325219 Email: dorjitse@druknet.bt

1.2 General information on national space activities

There is no specific emphasis given to space activities in Bhutan’s level of development and size. The use of space technology is mainly in telecommunications through IntelSat links; meteorological information through the NOAA satellites and others, and satellite images from Landsat-TM, QuickBird, Ikonos and others. 1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

In Bhutan, the principal achievements include increased awareness and application of geospatial technologies in natural resource management, disaster planning and other fields. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

The Department of Survey and Land Records (DSLR), which is the national mapping agency, has improved capabilities in using high-resolution satellite images through recently updated digital photogrammetry technology. The first national Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) has also been set up, enabling real-time differential GPS applications for various development activities. 1.5 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving such development goals

Bhutan is a neighbour of India, from which, under the technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC) schemes, it receives a great deal of technical assistance. At the World Summit on the Information Society, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of India signed an agreement with Bhutan and two United Nations agencies, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), to help boost the delivery of e-services in Bhutan with a package of equipment, satellite capacity and training resources worth over US$400,000.

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India is also assisting Bhutan’s budding “E-Shabtog” venture by providing instant connectivity to six remote post offices that are not connected by the national fixed telecommunication network. Two of the stations, Laya and Lunana, are located over 5,000 metres above sea level, are snowbound for eight months of the year, lack electricity and paved roads, and are a 5-8 day walk from the nearest road head. To support the provision of voice and low- to medium-speed data services to the six locations, India will provide six VSAT terminals in remote areas with a hub in Thimphu, solar energy sources with about eight days’ autonomy, access/transponder capacity on the INSAT system free for the duration of the project, and training and maintenance, all free of charge through its Department of Telecommunications.

In addition, an Indian private sector company, Encore Software, is offering low-cost handheld devices called Simputers, which will enable Bhutanese postmen to deliver mail, as well as health workers and agricultural workers to transmit information such as text, voice or images. Specialized software is being developed ranging from simple bookkeeping to e-post and health and agriculture applications. The Government of Bhutan, which is responsible for all logistical support, transport, civil works and regulatory and legal clearances, will exempt all the equipment imported for this project from customs, excise and other duties and levies (ITU 2003). 1.6 Plans for future satellite activities and applications associated with natural disaster

monitoring

The CGISC is coordinating with the main disaster management agency, housed in the Home Ministry, to discuss ways of integrating geospatial technology in the disaster management plans. 1.7 National spatial information infrastructure

Realizing a national spatial information infrastructure (NSII) for Bhutan is the main responsibility of the CGISC. Its activities are directed at increasing awareness of the benefits of such an infrastructure, as well as ensuring that the various stakeholders are working together to achieve the common goal of quality spatial data availability and access. The development of a national digital topographic and cadastral geo-database is underway, and a geocentric WGS84 compliant National Spatial Referencing System (DrukRef03) has also been adopted. 1.8 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

The main training activities are held through workshops/courses conducted by external experts. Several officials have attended courses held outside the country. A few in-house training sessions for technicians are also conducted from time to time by utilizing in-house expertise. 1.9 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in Bhutan

between 1997 and 2006

• First National GIS Conference, April 2001 • International Seminar on Mountain Geoinformatics Cooperation, November 2002

1.10 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Bhutan is a member

Listed below are some of the international organizations of which Bhutan is a member:

• Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • ISCGM-Global Map.

2. Satellite communications systems

Besides a microwave link to India, the IntelSat Ground Receiving Station at Thimphu serves to most of the international telecommunication links (including the Internet).

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The Bhutan Telecom Corporation (the national telecom provider) and a few international agency offices also use VSAT for the Internet and communications purposes.

The sole national television station, BBS-TV (Bhutan Broadcasting Service), also uses a transponder/channel on the Indian National Satellite, INSAT-5, for providing television coverage to the whole country.

There are plans to lease channels on Thai communications satellites as well.

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5. CHINA Responding agency:

National Remote Sensing Centre of China (NRSCC), Ministry of Science and Technology 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Zhang Guocheng Director-General National Remote Sensing Centre of China Ministry of Science and Technology 15B Fuxing Road Beijing 100862, China Fax: +86-10-6851-3212 Tel.: +86-10-6853-9135 Email: zhanggc@nrscc.gov.cn, lijiahong@nrscc.gov.cn

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

According to the policy paper China’s Space Activities, published on 29 November 2000 by the Information Office of the State Council, China focuses on developing application satellites and satellite application technology and has made great progress in the areas of satellite remote-sensing, satellite communication and satellite-based navigation. Remote sensing and telecommunication satellites account for about 71 percent of the total number of satellites developed and launched by China. These satellites have been widely utilized in all aspects of economy, science and technology, culture, and national defence and have yielded remarkable social and economic returns. A number of State departments have also made active use of foreign application satellites for application technology studies, with satisfactory results.

China began to use domestic and foreign remote-sensing satellites in the early 1970s, and eventually carried out studies, development and promotion of satellite remote-sensing application technology, which has been widely applied in meteorology, mining, surveying, agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, oceanography, seismology and urban planning. To date, China has established the National Remote-Sensing Centre, National Satellite Meteorology Centre, China Resources Satellite Application Centre, and the National Disaster Reduction Centre of China, which are mainly engaged in managing the technology and applications of remote sensing, geographic information systems and global positioning systems that are related to the national science and technology programme. In addition, other relevant departments and local governments have established remote sensing research institutes; among them there are 21 institutions that are linked to NRSCC, such as the Institute of Remote Sensing Application, in Peking University, and the Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station, Wuhan University.

The National Satellite Meteorological Centre, Satellite Oceanic Application Centre, and China Remote-Sensing Satellite Ground Station, as well as satellite remote sensing application institutes, are under related ministries of the State Council, some provinces and municipalities. Those institutions have made use of both domestic and foreign remote-sensing satellites to carry out application studies in weather forecasting, oceanic monitoring, territorial surveys, agricultural production assessment, forest surveys, natural disaster monitoring, maritime forecasting, urban planning and mapping, land and resource monitoring and management, and other tasks. These institutions have developed many geographic information systems and remote sensing image processing systems. Domestic GIS software accounts for 50 per cent of the market in China.

In the mid-1980s, China began to utilize domestic and foreign telecommunications satellites, and developed related technology to meet the increasing demands of the development of

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telecommunications, broadcasting and education. In the field of fixed telecom service, China has built more than 12,000 large and medium-size satellite telecom Earth stations, and established more than 170 satellite communication networks, connected to most countries and regions worldwide. Establishment of the domestic satellite public communication network has solved the communication problem in remote areas.

The Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) communication service has developed very rapidly in recent years. There are now more than 30 domestic VSAT communication service providers and 464,000 small station users, including over 9,500 two-way users. More than 80 specialized communication networks for dozens of departments like finance, meteorology, transportation, oil, water resources, civil aviation, power, public health and the media have been built.

A satellite television broadcasting system covering the whole world and a satellite television education system covering the whole country have been established. China started to use satellites for television broadcasting in 1985, and it has formed a satellite transmission network with 33 telecommunications satellite transponders responsible for transmitting 47 television programmes and educational television programmes of China Central Television (CCTV) and local stations throughout the country, 32 programmes of the Central Broadcasting Station domestically and abroad, and about 40 local broadcasting programmes. Ever since the beginning of broadcasting satellite education television programmes, 15 years ago, more than 30 million people have received college or technical secondary school education and training through this medium. China has also set up a satellite direct broadcasting experimental platform to transmit CCTV and local satellite television programmes by digital compression to the vast rural areas, which wireless television broadcasting cannot cover. In this way, China’s television broadcasting coverage has been greatly increased. Now, China has about 189,000 satellite television broadcasting receiving stations.

China’s broadband multimedia education satellite transmission network has also been established on the satellite direct broadcasting experimental platform to provide comprehensive remote education and information technology services. In the early 1980s, China began to utilize other countries’ navigation satellites and develop application technology for satellite navigation and positioning, which is now widely used in many fields, including land survey, ship navigation, aircraft navigation, earthquake monitoring, geological calamity monitoring, forest fire prevention and control, and urban traffic control. China has also been establishing the Beidou (Big Dipper) regional satellite navigation system.

After joining COSPAS-SARSAT in 1992, China established the Chinese Mission Control Centre, thus greatly improving the capability of the emergency alarm service for ships, aircraft and vehicles (GIS Development 2004a).

Box 2. Broadband network for easy access to the Internet in remote and rural China

In China, a new broadband network was launched in December 2005 to boost access to the Internet in remote and

rural areas. While broadband access is now taken for granted in standard office environments, many people face slow dial-up connections or even no access at all in some parts. The new Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service provided by Inmarsat will help improve access and reliability to communications systems across China.

With Inmarsat’s BGAN service a broadband mobile office can be set up in minutes anywhere on Earth. With a single BGAN terminal, people can access data applications at speeds up to half a megabit and make a phone call at the same time. The terminal weighs less than 1 kilogram, which makes it convenient to move. It will “herald a new era in broadband mobile telecommunications” that will help professionals as well as other people in their everyday work.

Journalists, military personnel, aid workers and other established users of mobile satellite communications are among those who stand to benefit most. However, other users, such as engineers, consultants and sales personnel – anyone, in fact, who wants dependable, secure broadband access when travelling in locations with unreliable or no telecom networks – are able to reap the benefits of mobile satellite communications.

A BGAN terminal costs less than 50,000 yuan (US$6,165). Although the cost may be relatively high for most non-professionals, the market is promising as more and more people are dependent on mobile communications in their work. Source: “Network launched for easy access to Internet “, <english.people.com.cn/200512/22/print20051222_230017.html>

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1.2.2 General information on national space activities

China initiated its space industry in 1956. In the last 50 years, China has made outstanding progress in several fields of space industry and has become a major player in the world. China is a developing country and one of its missions is to develop its economy for improving people’s lives. China is developing its economy by taking the space industry as an important part of national development strategy, exploring and using outer space for civil purposes and for the benefit of humanity.

In the past five years, there has been great progress in satellite applications technology in China, especially rapid progress in satellite remote sensing. Among the launched satellites, more than half are remote sensing and communication satellites, which are enhancing the scope and level of satellite remote sensing applications. As it faces the strategic objectives of developing an innovative country, China will support the use of outer space for civil purposes, implementing the wider space programmes and making contributions to human beings’ advancement. (a) Rationales: The developmental rationales for the space industry in China are described hereunder:

• Meeting national needs, protecting national interests, and following the development strategy of the country. China considers the space industry as a strategic industry for improving the national economy, science and technology, defence, and national security. China will encourage the development of the space industry as an important part of the developmental strategy of the country.

• Encouraging independent development of the space industry and strengthening the communion and cooperation with the rest of the world. Because it considers the space industry as a strategic industry, China will independently develop space technology with its own innovation by focusing on a number of fields, and will leap forward in development by centralizing force and resources, according to the situation of the country and requirements. Based on the principle of mutual benefit, China will encourage the communion and cooperation with other nations in space industry, and integrate independent innovation with the necessary imports of advanced technology from the rest of the world.

• Leading the development of science and technology in China by developing the space industry. The advancement and innovation of space industry is considered as a forerunner, boosting the science and technology of the entire country, promoting high technology and industry, fostering innovation in industry, accelerating the development of the society’s economy, and driving, altering and upgrading the traditional industry.

• Overall planning and coordinating development activities. China makes the overall planning of space technology, space applications and space science in reasonable proportion and in coordinated steps.

Box 3. Distance learning (e-learning) in remote areas of China

In September 1999, China adopted the Chinese Education and Research Network (CERNET) High-speed Backbone

Project and completed it in December 2000, ready to provide e-learning opportunities to remote settlements of western China. In October 2000, the China Advanced Distance Learning Satellite Broadband Multimedia Transmission Platform became operational, allowing simultaneous transmission of training sessions at different rates. Moreover, the Internet access service provided on the platform enables high-speed interconnection with CERNET, forming a satellite-land consolidated bi-directional education network. Operation of this platform thoroughly changed the situation of one-way transmission over satellite television networks in China.

The Tele-education Office of the Ministry of Education in China is spending US$43 million on developing the distance education infrastructure serving the western part of the country. The initiative started in 2000 with an input of US$9 million and was promptly underway. The programme is designed to expand the existing CERNET and to assist colleges and schools in the west in accessing the CERNET, especially schools with students from ethnic minorities. Test phases of e-learning through broadband networks had proven that distance education based on telecommunications, particularly via satellite, is one of the best and most sustainable solutions for western China, a region that accounts for more than half of the country’s land area but only 23 per cent of the population.

After testing in several locations for ethnic communities, towards the end of 2005, China launched an e-learning project for middle and primary school teachers in the country’s Tibet Autonomous Region. The programme delivers modern teaching methods and school management via a high-speed Internet connection. The participants admitted that the programme enabled them to increase their knowledge and improve the standard of teaching. Initially, approximately 50 teachers benefited by attending the courses in a dedicated classroom at Tibet University.

The programme is entitled “Long-distance modern education training programme for middle and primary schools”, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the Hong Kong Li Ka-shing Foundation. Sources: “China to Promote Distance Education in Western Regions”, People’s Daily, 13 June 2000, and <www.chinagate.com.cn/english/150.htm1>; and “Long-Distance Education for Tibetan Teachers”, <www.chinagate.com.cn/english/2053.htm>.

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(b) Activities: China has made great achievements since the initiation of its space industry. China has set up a spaceflight centre for launching all kinds of satellites and manned spaceships, as well as a network of monitoring stations, remote control vessels, and various application systems for satellite data, with expectations of great social and economic benefits.

China has developed and launched 69 different types of satellites since the maiden launch in 24 April 1970, with a more than 90 percent success rate. At present, China has developed several satellite series, such as six returnable satellites for remote sensing: the Red East for communication and broadcasting, the Fengyun for meteorological purposes, the Practice for scientific exploration and technological experiments, the Resource, the Beidou for navigation and positioning. China recently launched the HY-1B satellite, part of the Ocean series, on 11 April 2007, which will soon lead to further developments. With all these satellite series launched, a Chinese Earth observation satellite system will come into being.

With this primary Chinese Earth observation system, China has taken full advantage of these satellites in weather monitoring, disaster monitoring, resource and environment management, communication, distance education, micro-gravity research, and collecting and testing all kinds of scientific data. The FY-1 satellite, which was launched in 2002, has been included in the international operational application satellite series by the World Meteorological Organization. China has established an Earth observation application system, which includes a Land and Resource Monitoring and Management System, a Natural Disaster Monitoring and Management System, and an Agriculture Monitoring and Forecasting System. (c) Outlook: The 21st century is considered to be a global boom period for space technology and space activity. The 11th five-year plan for national economic and social development and the National Programme for Medium-to-Long-Term Scientific and Technological Development (2006-2020) will accelerate development of the space industry by placing it in a key strategic position. In order to implement the two plans mentioned above, China announced its space industry development plan at the beginning of the 21st century and initiated the high-resolution Earth observation system, manned spaceflight project, lunar exploration project and other major projects and plans to develop by leaps and bounds in the next 15 years. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China has set up the Earth Observation Domain, namely “Earth Observation and Navigation Techniques”, in the National High Technology Research and Development Programme, and expect to promote activities related to the integrated research and development system of Chinese Earth observation and navigation technology.

The development goals of China are as follows:

• Establish a long-term and stable Earth observation satellite system and coordinated national satellite remote sensing application system, which are especially suited to specific departmental operations. Realize stereo viewing and dynamic monitoring of the land, atmosphere and ocean of China, the surrounding areas and even the whole world.

• Establish a satellite broadcast communications system responsible for its own management decisions, and enlarge the satellite communication and broadcasting industry to a certain scale.

• Establish an independent satellite navigation system in a series of appropriate steps, develop a satellite navigation system, and form a satellite navigation system industry.

• Improve the overall ability and capability of Chinese carrier rockets and develop a new generation of non-noxious, pollution-free, high-performance and low-cost carrier rockets.

• Develop a manned spaceflight industry, and carry out extravehicular activity. • Develop space science, start deep-space exploration, and achieve lunar exploration. • Realize transformation from test applications to service-oriented services for space technology

and space applications.

China will continue to support international information exchange and cooperation in the fields of space technology, applications and science. In the next few years, China will preferentially develop design and production of Earth resources satellites, environment monitoring satellites and other small satellites, the manufacture of satellite communications ground equipment and satellite navigation receiving equipment, the sharing of satellite remote sensing data and its application and

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research in environment monitoring, disaster management and global change monitoring, the international cooperation of satellite communications and broadcasting in the fields of distance education and telemedicine, and other areas.

Box 4. National response to distance education / e-learning in China

The emergence of the concept of the knowledge society in the globalized economy increases the focus on

education, knowledge and skills, as these are prerequisites to improved economic opportunities. Satellite-based distance education (DE) has been promoting formal and informal education and knowledge dissemination in more than 40 developing countries – including many least developed, heavily indebted and island nations. International agencies, including funding agencies such as the World Bank, have promoted DE as a strategy towards economic and social development. The latest trends emerging in DE include convergence with the Internet and two-way broadband communication. While the success story of China provides some insights on possible policies and strategic partnerships, the challenges lie in institutionalizing DE in harmony with societal obligations by promoting educational content and a curriculum that can benefit the poor and marginalized groups of people.

In 1986, China implemented a compulsory education policy. There were at that time (a) wide gaps between the availability and need for trained schoolteachers, (b) resource constraints, (c) lack of time, and (d) large geographic areas requiring improved educational services. All these factors necessitated integrating DE as a part of the national mission to bridge educational divides. As the country was making the transition to modernized industry, services and agriculture, there was huge opportunity for a better trained and better educated workforce. The policy was accordingly adopted to diversify DE. Consequently, a large number of graduates who were trained through DE found immediate employment. In fact, DE was fully institutionalized and decentralized so that the local contextual needs could appropriately be addressed. With the emergence of convergent technologies, the DE programme in China has now turned to interactive and Internet-based learning.

Contributor: V. Jayaraman, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bangalore, India.

1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals and those set up by the World Summit on the Information Society, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction

China started to use Earth observation satellites data in the 1970s and has expanded applications to crop yield estimation, weather forecasting, disaster monitoring, resource exploration, ocean study, environment monitoring, and urban planning. Recently, several integrated Earth observation application systems were built for dynamic information services related to resources and the environment, natural disaster monitoring and assessment, and ocean environment stereoscopic monitoring. 1.3.1 Land and resource investigation in China

(a) Agricultural remote sensing: China has established a National Agriculture Monitoring and Crop Yield Estimation System, which is currently providing crop growth monitoring and yield estimation services nationwide. The system uses remote sensing data from meteorological satellites, resource satellites and radar satellites and successfully combines satellite remote sensing technology with traditional agricultural techniques.

(b) Forest resource inventory: China has extensive experience in forest resource inventories using Earth observation technologies. Combining remotely sensed data with ground observations, China has built up a national forest resource inventory system to provide operational services.

(c) Geology and mineral resource inventory: Remote sensing technology is widely used in regional geological mapping and mineral resource inventories. About 200 km2 of regional geological maps at a scale of 1:50,000 and a national geological map at 1:250,000 scale have been produced. Chinese researchers discovered a large gold mine in Xinjiang region by using remote sensing techniques. In addition, China also applies interferometric SAR technology to detect earthquakes and to monitor the environmental changes in the Three Gorges region and ground subsidence in oil fields.

1.3.2 Natural disaster monitoring and management

The Government of China pays much attention to disaster management and takes disaster prevention and reduction as a primary issue to ensure sustainable development of society and the

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economy. As space technology is playing a more and more important role in decision-making support, it has become the key point of disaster reduction and draws ever-growing attention from all related sectors.

In most Earth observation plans, disaster reduction is a key issue for research and applications. Since the 1980s, China has made great progress in disaster reduction by remote sensing, and space technology has contributed immensely to the monitoring of natural disasters, especially the most severe types, such as floods, earthquakes, typhoons, drought, heavy snow, wood fires, dust storms, landslides, red tide, sea ice, desertification and others. Space technology has brought great benefits to society and the economy.

(a) Disaster management: As the decision-support agency of the National Committee for Disaster Reduction, the National Disaster Reduction Centre of China has made a great many operational products since 2004 for disaster risk assessment, disaster observation and disaster assessment based on different remote sensing data, which have provided effective decision support for disaster management.

(b) Flood monitoring: China’s National Flood Forecasting and Monitoring System integrates data from satellite and airborne remote sensing platforms to continuously monitor the water levels of the main rivers in China. In the summer of 1998, during the severe floods in the Yangzi, Songhuajiang and Nenjiang rivers, the system provided near-real-time monitoring and damage assessment.

(c) Drought monitoring: Drought is one of most severe natural disasters in China. Combining meteorological satellite data and ground-based weather observations, China developed its own drought monitoring models and drought monitoring and estimating systems to support decision-making in agricultural management and irrigation planning.

(d) Forest fire monitoring: China has developed a forest fire warning, monitoring and damage assessment system to support decision-making during forest fire fighting campaigns. In May 1987, during the severe forest fire on Daxinganlin Mountain, the system continuously processed data from meteorological and resource satellites to provide early fire warning and real-time fire status reports. The system also aided damage assessment and ecological recovery after the disaster.

(e) Sand storm monitoring: The sand storms in eastern Asia strongly influence the eco-environment of many countries. Besides, being in aerosol form, the sand storms may also influence the regional radiance balance and climate systems. China began sand storm monitoring (source sites, transmitting routes, influence areas) using remote sensing techniques in 1993.

(f) Remote sensing for landslide monitoring: China has applied satellite images for geological disasters, such as landslide monitoring. For example, SPOT satellite images were used to monitor and assess the impact of the landslide in the Yigong area of Tibet in March 2000. The result of this study helped in building a model and an action plan to prevent flooding in a nearby populated area. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

China aims to build up a comprehensive Earth observation system. Since DFH-1, the first Chinese satellite in 1970, many Earth observation missions have been launched, including meteorological satellites, Earth resource satellites, marine satellite, small satellites and manned spacecraft.

Through its continuous efforts over the past 20 years, China has developed capacities in space-borne and airborne remote sensing platforms, satellite ground stations, and data processing and application facilities.

China established an all-weather airborne remote sensing system comprising airplanes, airborne sensors, and real-time transmission via communication satellites.

China developed various space-borne and airborne remote sensors, including high-resolution CCD cameras, hyperspectral scanners, imaging spectrometers, synthetic aperture radar, microwave radiometer/scatterometers, and three-dimensional imagers.

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China’s operational remote sensing satellite data service network comprises the China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station (China RSGS), China Centre for Resource Satellite Data and Applications (CRESDA), National Satellite Meteorological Centre (NSMC) and the National Satellite Ocean Application Service (NSOAS).

In October 2002, the first remote sensing radiation calibration site in China was set up in Gansu province. Through cooperation with the White Sands Test Facility in the United States of America and the Toulouse calibration site in France, China has made progress in satellite remote sensing calibration and validation, and in supporting quantitative analysis and applications. 1.5 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving such development goals

China encourages bilateral and multilateral international and regional cooperation in space programmes. Since 1985, China has signed a series of inter-governmental agreements, protocols and memorandums on space science and technology and its applications with several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States, and has established a long-term cooperative relationship with a number of countries.

China actively participates in various activities of the United Nations. In June 1980, China took part in the 23rd Conference of United Nations Committee of Outer Space for the first time. On 3 November 1980, China became an official member of the Committee. Henceforth, China participated in every session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its affiliated technology and legal subcommittees. In 1983 and 1988, China joined the United Nations Outer Space Treaty, Rescue Agreement, Liability Convention and Registration Convention. Additionally, China energetically supported and took part in the implementation of the United Nations space application plan. In 1994, China and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) held the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific and issued the Beijing Declaration, which has had a profound impact. In September 1999, China cooperated with the United Nations and the European Space Agency and held the Symposium on Space Applications for Sustainable Agricultural Development. From July to August 2000, relevant departments of China, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and ESCAP, held short-term training courses on space technology applications for Asia and the Pacific countries. Furthermore, China participated in many multilateral cooperation projects such as World Weather Watch, the United Nations Decade of Disaster Reduction, the International Sun-Earth Energy Plan, and many other projects such as GEONETCast, under the framework of CEOS, IGOS-P and GEO.

The Ministerial Summit on Earth Observation has been held three times since 2003. Aiming at the GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan and the building of the Global Earth Observation System put forward at the summits, the Group on Earth Observation was founded. As one of the founders of the GEO, China is not only a member but also a co-chairman and continuously proposes the development of international Earth observation and carries out much fruitful work.

Since May 2005, Chinese delegates have attended GEO executive committee meetings, plenary meetings and working group meetings. During the time, not only people joining the technical committee and subgroups of the GEO have been selected, but also Chinese experts have been recommended for the secretariat. And at the same time, they actively took part in the establishment of the GEO principles and programmes, the GEO 2006 work plan, and the GEO 2007-2009 work plan, as well as other important matters. In addition, Chinese delegates also attended such meetings as the third meeting between users and the GEOSS, organized by IEEE and GEO, and the seminar on South-East Asia geological disasters, and it presented the Earth observation work of China extensively.

In response to the international GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan, China is now organizing the experts of different ministries and commissions to compile the China 10-Year Earth Observation Implementation Plan, which will consist of one collective section and five important observation system plans: the China climate observation system plan, China atmosphere chemistry observation system plan, China ocean observation system plan, China hydro-cycle observation research plan and China carbon cycle observation research plan.

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Thus far, the Galileo project is the largest cooperation project in science and technology between China and the European Union (EU), which is helping to develop a great market with a potential in civil satellite navigation. China and the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched TC-1 and TC-2, and implemented the Geo-space Double Star Exploration Project, managed by China and the European Union. Since 1997, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and ESA have cooperated in the field of Earth observation application development. The cooperation has gained new momentum with the creation of a dedicated three-year programme called Dragon, which formally kicked off in April 2004, and about 180 scientists from both China and Europe joined the joint investigations in China. The Dragon Programme focuses on science and applications development in China, exploiting mainly data from the ESA ERS and Envisat missions to stimulate scientific exchange in Earth observation science and technology by the formation of a joint Sino-European team and the publishing of co-authored results of research and application development. Sixteen thematic projects, related to Earth observation fields of agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, oceanography, atmospheric assessment, sport and other fields, have been conducted under the Dragon Programme. Post-graduate training is a key component of the programme, and a series of advanced remote sensing training courses on land, ocean and atmospheric applications have been jointly organized by ESA and the National Remote Sensing Centre of China (NRSCC) annually since 2004. A total of four Dragon Symposia have been organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and ESA.

On 24 May 2007, China's Space Agency chief Sun Laiyan signed the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, signifying that China had officially joined the global disaster relief regime. The Charter, initiated by the European and French space agencies after the July 1999 UNISPACE III conference in Vienna, also groups agencies from Canada, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Through a network of satellites from its members, the regime provides a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by natural or man-made disasters, so as to help survey, assess and mitigate damage. The mechanism has been engaged in hundreds of disaster-related operations since it officially came into force in 2000. The China National Committee for Disaster Reduction acts as the Programme Manager and Authorized User. The China Meteorological Administration acts as the Authorized User of the mechanism. The mechanism has been effectively used in the Anhui, Sichuan and Chongqing floods that occurred in 2007.

In its resolution A/RES/61/110 of 14 December 2006, the General Assembly decided to establish the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (SPIDER) as a programme of the Office for Outer Space Affairs under the Director of the Office, as an open network of providers of disaster management support. The mission statement of the programme states that all countries have access to and may develop the capacity to use all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle. In resolution 61/110, the General Assembly also endorsed the recommendation of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space that the programme have an office in Beijing and an office in Bonn, Germany, and noted that due consideration would be given to the possibility that the programme could have a liaison office in Geneva. The Beijing office of SPIDER will be located in the National Disaster Reduction Centre of China.

In 1993, China and Germany established a joint venture company named EurasSpace GmbH. Two years later, China signed a contract with aerospace companies in Germany and France for research and development and the production of Sinosat-1, and it was successfully launched in 1998. The China North Coal Fire Detecting, Extinguishing and Monitoring Research Programme was involved in a science and technology cooperation framework between the governments of China and Germany in 2002, which is conducted by NRSCC and a German space navigation centre. This programme has completed the first stage.

China and France have developed extensive exchanges and cooperation in the space technology field. Led by the space cooperation mechanism of the Sino-French Joint Commission, both sides have made important progress in exchanges and cooperation in the field of space science, Earth science, life science, and satellite applications and monitoring.

Cooperation between China and the Russian Federation in the field of space has also been fruitful; the two countries have signed more than 50 cooperation contracts and established long-term

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cooperation plans, organized joint working group for lunar and outer space exploration, and carried out exchange and cooperation.

China-Brazil Earth resources satellite cooperation is also progressing well. After the China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite-1 (CBERS-1) and China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite-2 (CBERS-2) were launched successfully in October 1999 and October 2003, respectively, China and Brazil signed an additional protocol to jointly develop CBERS-2B, CBERS-3 and CBERS-4 and to cooperate in data application systems, which preserve the continuity of China-Brazil Earth resources satellite data and allow wider applications at regional and global levels. CBERS-2B will be launched in September 2007.

China attaches great importance to space cooperation in Asia and the Pacific and actively promotes it. The Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China hosts many research institutes, which include the National Remote Sensing Centre of China, National Satellite Meteorological Centre, Centre for Space Science and Applied Research (CAS), Chinese Academy of Space Technology, and Twenty-First Century Aerospace Technology Company, which are engaged in remote sensing, GIS, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), space science, meteorological satellite applications, disaster management, satellite communication, and a multitude of other fields, and they also participate in and contribute substantively to the RESAP programme of ESCAP. As a substantive contribution to RESAP, China has hosted several Intergovernmental Consultative Committee and Regional Working Group meetings and has conducted several training courses for the least developed countries in Asia and the Pacific.

In 1992, China, along with Thailand and Pakistan, initiated and launched the Asia-Pacific Symposium on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA). With the promotion of this regional cooperation effort, in April 1998, China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a small multi-mission satellite project and its related activities and planned to launch a multi-mission satellite in 2007. In October 2005, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand signed the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization Convention (APSCO) in Beijing. The secretariat of the organization is in Beijing. This important international cooperation has made significant progress in a short period of time in formally establishing an Asia-Pacific space cooperation organization.

China actively participates in activities related to space science. The China National Space Administration takes part in the activities of the Interagency Space Debris Coordination Committee. The Ministry of Science and Technology of China takes part in the activities of the International Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS); it hosted the 18th Plenary of CEOS, the 20th Anniversary Symposium of CEOS, and the International Workshop and Exhibition on Earth Observation Technology and Applications in Beijing in November 2004. As a co-chair of IGOS-P, on behalf of CEOS, China hosted the 11th Plenary of IGOS-P in Beijing in November 2004 In May 2005, China became a co-chair of the Group on Earth Observation and joined the executive committee. Based on the activities of CEOS, a professional research team was established in China. More and more Chinese experts have joined international organizations and set up important international projects in China. The Chinese Decennary Earth Observation Protocol reveals the achievements in the field of Earth observation, and the rationales and positive attitudes of China towards international cooperation.

Furthermore, China is cooperating in the development of international commercial satellites. Supported by the national science and technology programme, the small, high-performance Earth observation satellite Beijing-1 was created in close cooperation between Beijing Land-view Mapping Information Technology Co., Ltd. and the Surrey Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., and it was launched on 27 October 2005.

China also actively participates in the activities of several international organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union, the World Meteorological Organization, the International Astronautical Federation and the Committee for Space Research.

On 1 November 2005, China entered into an agreement with Venezuela to sell a satellite to that country as part of its plan to guarantee its telecommunications autonomy. The satellite will help Venezuela to develop its own telecommunications industries, movies and television, culture and

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education. It is planned to be launched in 2008. The satellite will provide telecommunications services to all parts of Venezuela, including scarcely populated areas that have never been reached by commercial communications firms. The satellite will also help in the early detection of natural disasters and be used to broadcast educational and information programmes (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005).

China is one of the 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Russian Federation and Thailand, that have signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006). One of the current research-based agreements was signed between CSIRO-Australia and the Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping (CASM) to collaborate on China’s resource mapping satellite programme to monitor climate change. The agreement was signed in Beijing on 3 November 2006. The advanced satellite programme will gather land and marine observation data, which will be used for monitoring climate change impacts in both countries. The programme will also advance China’s progress in space technology (Space Mart 2006a). 1.6 Plans for future satellite activities and applications associated with natural disaster

monitoring

In order to strengthen utilization of space technology to improve disaster prevention and reduction, and to establish a wide-coverage, all-weather, full-time, dynamic and “space-ground-integrated” disaster monitoring system step by step, the government plans to construct a small satellite constellation for disaster reduction and forecasting and environment monitoring. The constellation will consist of eight small satellites. During the first stage, three satellites, which include two small optical satellites and one small synthetic aperture satellite, will be launched. In order to use the small constellation effectively, an operational disaster reduction application system is being built. The National Disaster Reduction Centre of China is responsible for the construction and operation of the system. The system provides the government with decision support for disaster management. 1.7 National spatial information infrastructure

(a) National Geo-spatial Information Coordination Committee: The National Geographic Information Coordination Committee was founded in June 1997 and was authorized by the State Council to conduct all planning and macro-management of geo-industry. The committee aims to set up a unified, fundamental geo-information database, to support geo-information applications that are significant for the economy and society, to promote GIS usefulness, and to promote thematic database construction and data sharing. The Committee was renamed the National Geo-spatial Information Coordination Committee in April 2000.

(b) Members National Development and Reform Commission Ministry of Civil Affairs Ministry of Finance Ministry of Land and Resources Ministry of Construction Ministry of Communication Ministry of Information Industry Ministry of Water Resources Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Ministry of Agriculture State Environmental Protection Administration State Forestry Administration Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence China Meteorological Administration Chinese Academy of Sciences China Seismological Bureau State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping Aerospace Hi-Tech Holding Group Co., Ltd.

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(c) Functions 1. Organize, research and establish the development strategy and programming of China’s

geo-spatial information infrastructure and GIS, to constitute related standards, criterions, policies, rules.

2. Coordinate inter-department and inter-district information interests, give suggestions to avoid blind development and repeated construction.

3. Organize, research and demonstrate priority domains and important projects to construct and develop in spatial information infrastructure and GIS, and bring them into the National Information Development Programming and National Economic and Society Development Plan.

4. Plan and coordinate all international cooperation and security in spatial information infrastructure and geo-information.

5. Research and coordinate other important problems related to the development of spatial information infrastructure and GIS.

(d) Natural resources and geo-spatial fundamental information database: The database on natural resources and geo-spatial fundamental information is one of the four most important projects for starting construction of the national electronic government affairs. The project joins 11 state departments with uniform standards and planning. It will set up an exchange system based on the government network to synthesize the nation’s fundamental strategic geo-spatial information distributed in these departments. The project will form policies and measurements to promote inter-department data sharing, and establish a geo-spatial information platform to serve government affairs decisions, scientific research and industrial development.

The natural resources and geo-spatial fundamental information database is the core project in the national spatial information infrastructure. The project will synthesize government-owned geo-spatial information resources, and promote information sharing between government bodies. It is the first large-scale inter-department integration of the nation’s fundamental strategic geo-spatial information resources, using an advanced network. The project will set up a standardized, extensive and sustainable information resources exploitation mode. The unified geo-spatial sharing platform, exchange network and mainstream integration application service system will be established to support an electronic government affairs operation system. Then, the project will form the sharable geo-spatial electronic government affairs data resources foundation, and will make a set of standardized geo-spatial information products. The project will lay a firm foundation for the development of the data resource and information industry, and will satisfy the public need for geo-spatial information.

Now that the first stage of the project feasibility research has been completed, it has progressed to the design and implementation stage. 1.8 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

(a) The China-Europe GNSS Technology Training and Cooperation Centre (CENC) was founded in 2004 by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the European Union Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) (and with the support of the National Remote Sensing Centre of China). CENC aims to promote cooperation between China and Europe in the scope of satellite navigation on the open seas. The principal assignments of CENC are to offer a network service and a GNSS Centre, to provide GNSS information, to campaign for the united study and exploitation of applications in GNSS, to organize GNSS training, and to support temporary or specialty campaigns developed in GNSS.

(b) Technology Training for People Coming from Africa: In October of 2007, the Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, will organize “2006 Training on the Technology of Remote Sensing Applications for Technological Personnel in African Countries” for the first time. This training will be organized by China especially for African countries and aims to help them better understand the technology of remote sensing applications and obtain all kinds of dynamic information they can use for supporting the management and decision-making, promoting their development, and building the basis of the cooperation between China and African countries.

Fourteen members from Zambia, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Namibia, Liberia, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana and Lesotho will participate in this training.

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(c) 2006 Training Course on Satellite Remote Sensing: “2006 Training Course on Satellite Remote Sensing Technology and Its Applications for Central Asian Region” was held successfully in Beijing in December of 2006. This training was held by the Secretariat of Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Application, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the Academy of OPTD-Electronics, Chinese Academy of Science. Fifteen members from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia and China participated in this course.

The training focused on the applications of remote sensing technology in resource use, geologic review, disaster management and environment inspecting, closely related to the nature and economic development of central Asia.

(d) China-ASEAN Training on Satellite Remote Sensing Technology: In response to the call of Premier Wen Jiabao and the leaders of ASEAN, PAPSCO held “China-ASEAN Training on Satellite Remote Sensing Technology”, commissioned by the Secretariat of ASEAN in July 2004.

Twenty-three people from 10 member countries of ASEAN came to China to take part in this two-week training. Most of the participants were experts in the management of spaceflight projects and the applications of remote sensing. During the training, the students discussed their countries’ plans for spaceflight development, describing the mode, project and object of developing cooperation between space technology and bilateral and multilateral applications.

(e) Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Application Training: The sixth Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications meeting was primarily about establishing the Asia-Pacific Centre for Space Technology Education, strengthening the training of the managers and technique experts from the developing countries, expanding remote sensing technology, and promoting economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific. In addition, the following training courses were organized:

First: Held by Chinese National Space Administration in 2000; Second: Held by Chinese National Space Administration in 2002; Third: Training in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003.

(f) Master Programme in Space Technology Applications (MASTA): In July of 2006, MASTA was held in Beihang University. Fourteen foreign students and four Chinese students participated in this programme. The success of this programme means that the application for setting up the second Asia-Pacific Centre for Space Technology Education in China had made great progress.

(g) Technological personnel in the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea take part in technology training: This training course was supported by the United Nations and held by the Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academic of Sciences. There were four training sessions from 2000 to 2004 and students were all researchers or government officials. 1.9 Major national journals and publications related to space technology applications, in

both local and foreign languages

In the Chinese language, there are about 36 journals that are related to space technology and its applications:

Chinese Space Science and Technology Chinese Journal of Space Science Space Electronic Technology Aerospace Industry Management Journal of Data Acquisition and Processing Information and Control Journal of Image and Graphics GNSS World of China Chinese Space Science and Technology Aeronautical Science and Technology Space Electronic Technology Satellite Application Science of Surveying and Mapping

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Bulletin of Surveying and Mapping Acta Geodaetica et Cartographica Sinica China Surveying and Mapping Geomatics and Information Science of Wuhan University Journal of Remote Sensing Geo-Information Science Acta Geoscientica Sinica Acta Geographica Sinica Advances in Earth Sciences Progress in Geography Geography and Geo-Information Science Scientia Geographica Sinica Geographical Research Geography and Territorial Research Chinese Geographical Science Geomatics World Geospatial Information Remote Sensing Information Remote Sensing for Land and Resources Satellite and Network Aerospace China Journal of Geomatics Spacecraft Engineering

1.10 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in China between 1997 and 2006

(a) Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction, 2005, 27-29 September, Beijing, China. Following up on the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction was organized by the National Committee for Disaster Reduction to enhance regional cooperation in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA). As a first step towards reducing disaster risk and attaining sustainable development, Asian countries are encouraged to proceed in accordance with the HFA to achieve tangible results in a set of time-bound activities which are of immediate concern to all Asian countries in their pursuit of poverty reduction and sustainable development.

(b) Emergency Communications Asia 2004, 7-8 December 2004, Shanghai, China. This inaugural event brought in 230 speakers, delegates and sponsors. The three-day event was packed with lots of learning and networking opportunities. Best practices were learnt, business was discussed, deals were signed, and friends and competitors alike met under one roof at this annual industry gathering.

(c) International Symposium on Remote Sensing and Space Technology for Multi-disciplinary Research and Application and the 2nd International MODIS and AIRS Processing Package Training Workshop, 19-24 May 2005, Press Conference Hall, Overseas Exchange Centre, Peking University, Beijing, China.

(d) Emergency Communications Asia 2005, 4-6 November 2005, Pudong Shangri-la, Shanghai, China. The conference provides an unsurpassed platform for senior communications executives from the first responder community to meet, network and discuss (Terrapin 2005).

(e) International Conference on Space Information Technology, 19-20 November 2005 Wuhan, China. A study of the technology of space information to explore the future of human kind. 1.11 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

China is a member

Listed hereunder are some of the international organizations of which China is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS);

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• Group on Earth Observation; • Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF); • Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO); • Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • International Charter on Space and Major Disasters.

1.12 National organizational structure on space technology applications, including sections,

major application fields, and linkages

At present, there are about 450 different organizations and departments involved in space technology, especially in remote sensing and its applications. These tasks fall under several departments, including the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Commission of Science Technology for National Defence, Ministry of Land and Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, State Environmental Protection Administration of China, State Forestry Bureau, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, State Oceanic Administration, China Meteorological Administration, Ministry of Civil Affairs, and others. In each of these, some departments are more involved in remote sensing than others are, such as the National Remote Sensing Centre of China, Institute of Remote Sensing Applications (Chinese Academy of Science), Chinese Academy of Survey and Mapping Science, National Satellite Meteorological Centre, National Ocean Satellite Application Centre, China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station, China Resources Satellite Application Centre, Chinese Academy of Space Technology, Institute of Geography Sciences and Resource (Chinese Academy of Science), Institute of Resource and Division (Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science), Institute of Resource Information (Chinese Academy of Forestry Science), Chinese Academy of Water Science, China Land and Resources Remote Sensing Centre, Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Wuhan University and China Geology University, among others. China has established an organizational system in remote sensing technology development and applications, and a national remote sensing research and application group has been also established for cooperation between the departments. 2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

• Meteorological satellites: Polar orbiting satellites FY-1 A, B, C, D and geostationary satellites FY-2A, B, C, D;

• Ocean satellite: HY-1A, HY-1B; • Earth Resource Satellite: CBERS-1, CBERS-2; • Environment and disaster reduction satellites: 2 optic and 1 SAS; • Small satellites: Beijing No.1 satellite (launched in October 2005); • China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite (CBERS) was jointly developed by China and Brazil,

which initiated the first space high-tech cooperation between two developing countries; • CBERS-1 was successfully launched in October 1999; • CBERS-2 was successfully launched in October 2003; • CBERS-2B, 3 and 4 are being developed.

2.1.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

The National Remote Sensing Centre of China was founded in 1981 as one of the subdivisions of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. Through the implementation of the National “Gong Guan” Programme and the National High Technology Research and Development Programme (composed of 863 sub-programmes), NRSCC set up several remote sensing development and application institutes and specialized application departments to enhance remote sensing technology and to establish remote sensing application systems. In particular, in the past decade or so, China has

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established five integrative remote sensing systems, namely the national resource and environment remote sensing information service system, the disaster monitoring and evaluation system, the ocean environment monitoring system, the aviation remote sensing real-time transmitting system, and the national economy assistant decision-making system. Following the successful launch of the Beijing No. 1 small satellite, NRSCC, in cooperation with major remote sensing institutes, organized several workshops to develop applications using Beijing No. 1 satellite data. In order to evaluate the potential capability of satellites, NRSCC conducted a multi-source remote sensing experiment in Shandong province in 2005, which acquired 4.6 TB of data, including various satellite, aerial remote sensing, and field measurement data. All these data are major components of constructing the Chinese Earth observation application systems. There exist many remote sensing application systems. One example is the operational applications of the meteorological satellite ground application system in the National Satellite Meteorological Centre, which has clearly increased the capacity for disaster weather forecasting. In 1998, “China Crop Watch System with Remote Sensing” was set up in the Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, which consistently provides crop information to more than 20 national departments, such as the State Grain Administration. Approved by the former premier Li Peng in 1996, NRSCC initiated the development of the National Integrated Remote Sensing Monitoring System, which provides decision makers with current remote sensing information for quick warnings, monitoring, and assessment of natural disasters. This system can also provide precise scientific information to the leaders at both national and provincial levels, as well as providing global-scale resource and environment information for national departments. 2.1.2 Current and planned Earth observation satellites

With Brazil, China has jointly developed two Earth Resource Satellites: CBERS-1 and CBERS-2. Now CBERS-2B is undergoing its final testing in Beijing and will be launched in September 2007 (Zheng et al. 2007).

The Small Multi-mission Satellite programme, which involves close cooperation between Bangladesh, China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, has entered the development stage and is expected to be launched in 2007.

Other satellites include the following:

• Ocean satellites: HY-1A and HY-1B; • Environment and Disaster Monitoring and Forecasting Small Satellite Constellation (first

phase): 2 optical and 1 SAR (HJ-1A, HJ-1B, HJ-1C); • Environment and Disaster Monitoring and Forecast Small Satellite Constellation (second

phase): 4 optical and 4 SAR; • Small Satellites: Beijing No.1 Satellite, which was launched in October 2005.

2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.2.1 Meteorological satellite application programmes

Starting from receiving and utilizing foreign meteorological satellite data, NSMC actively works on developing Chinese meteorological satellites. On 7 September 1988, 3 September 1990, 10 May 1999 and 15 May 2002, four polar orbiting meteorological satellites in the FY-1 series were launched successfully. On 10 June 1997, 25 June 2000, and 19 October and on 8 December 2006, four geostationary meteorological satellites in the FY-2 series were put into orbit. The data processing centre in Beijing and the ground receiving stations in Beijing, Guangzhou and Urumqi are working together day and night to provide FY satellite data for the meteorological services and for other social and economic departments. Meteorological satellite data is playing an important role in weather forecasts, climate research, environment management, and in natural disaster monitoring .It has brought remarkable social and economic benefits to China.

According to the plan for Chinese meteorological satellite development approved by the State Council, three FY-2 satellites will be launched by 2010, and the ground application system will also be renovated and improved accordingly. Currently, the research and manufacturing work have been carried out for the three geo-stationary satellites. The research and development for FY-3, the second generation of Chinese polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, is on the way. The application system

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for FY-3 will be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of the FY-3 satellite, in order to receive, process and distribute data from this new satellite.

China contributes to the Global Earth Observation Systems of Systems (GEOSS) space segment by making available two of its meteorological satellites, FY-1 and FY-2. In addition to those, a second-generation polar orbiting satellite, FY-3, with enhanced global observation and both imaging and sounding missions (microwave sensor) capability, will be launched in 2007 (Space Mart 2006b). 2.2.2 Current and planned meteorological satellites

China has developed several operational polar orbiting satellites (FY-1 A, B, C and D) and geostationary satellites (FY-2 A, B, C and D) (Zheng et al. 2007).

After successfully launching Fengyun-2D (FY-2D), the second geostationary meteorological satellite, into orbit, China made plans to launch another 22 meteorological satellites by 2020. The planned 22 satellites will add four more to the Fengyun-2 series, 12 satellites to the Fengyun-3 series, and six satellites to the Fengyun-4 series. Fengyun-2E, Fengyun-2F, Fengyun-2G and Fengyun-2H are scheduled to be launched in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 respectively (Space Mart 2006b). 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

2.3.1 Earth observation satellite receiving facilities

Since its foundation in 1986, and after many years of developing and enhancing independent research capabilities and data reception and data processing capacities, the Chinese Earth observation satellite receiving station has been greatly improved. China’s operational remote sensing satellite data service network comprises the China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station (China RSGS), China Centre for Resource Satellite Data and Applications (CRESDA),

The station continuously receives and processes satellite data, while disseminating a variety of data and products. At present, the station is able to receive data from 13 Earth observing satellites. The data types include visible light and synthetic aperture radar. The spatial resolutions of such data are in the range of 2.5 to 100 metres. With its ability to gather data on all types of weather, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, in real time, and with multiple resolutions, the station has become one of the major members of the international Earth observation satellite ground station network.

Supported by the National 10th Five-year Technology Programme, the Beijing Land-view Mapping Information Technology Co., Ltd., the National Survey and Mapping Bureau, and the state of Beijing City have established the Beijing No. 1 ground receiving station, which is able to receive and process satellite data. The station also has satellite control capability. 2.3.2 Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

Meteorological satellite ground receiving stations in Beijing, Guangzhou and Urumchi, which were set up by the China Meteorological Bureau, are able to receive and process FY series meteorological satellite data and other foreign meteorological satellite data, and Earth observations satellites, such as NOAA, GMS/MTSAT, Terra and Aqua and others. 2.3.3 Other Earth observation satellite receiving facilities

The marine satellite ground application system is composed of Beijing and Sanya stations. It is also noteworthy that several MODIS ground-receiving stations were also built in many academic and education institutions in China. 3. Satellite communications systems

3.1 Satellite communications infrastructure

3.1.1 Government / public sector-operated communication satellite resources and services, including leased transponders

China possesses two communication satellites presently in orbit: ChinaStar-1 and Sinasat-1, which hold 46*36MHz C-band and 26.33*36 MHz Ku-band transponders. China also has one

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APSTAR-2 Ku-band transponder and one APSTAR-V Ku-band transponder. Hong Kong, China, possesses six communication satellites in orbit presently: Asiasat-2, Asiasat-3S, APSTAR-V, APSTAR-VI and APSTAR-2R. Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co., Ltd., and APT Satellite Holding, Ltd., operate these satellites and provide services to circumjacent countries and regions.

According to the Catalogue of Telecom Service Categories of China, satellite communication services include mobile satellite communication services, satellite international leased line services, satellite transponder lease and sale services, and VSAT services. China Satellite Communications Corporation is permitted to provide all the services. SINO Satellite Communications Company, Ltd., is permitted to provide satellite transponder lease and sale services. China Telecommunications Corporation, China Unicom Corporation and China Netcom Corporation are permitted to provide satellite international leased line services.

In November of 1994, the Ministry of Water Resources signed a contract with Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company to get a full-use right of one half of a transponder on ASIASAT-2, so as to improve its communication situation for flood management and drought relief.

With the rented 27 MHz satellite bandwidth, a combined network for data exchange, audio communication, video-image transmission and more has been operating since 1994. The main transmission station was built at the Ministry in Beijing, and nearly 600 satellite receiving stations were constructed across the country, especially in remote areas. With the help of the network, the Ministry not only improved its normal communication situation, but also realized many other operations as well, such as real-time information exchange, tele-conferencing, trans-regional and trans-organizational consultation for flood dispatching in rainy seasons, urgent establishment of communication systems between the Ministry and flooding areas, and more. Because of its wide coverage, convenience of arrangement, and effectiveness, the satellite communication network has been playing important roles in flood disaster reduction in recent years.

Additionally, because the rented satellite is near the end of its operational life, the Ministry of Water Resources is conducting a feasibility study to find proper solutions or possible replacements. 3.1.2 Private-sector operated communication satellite resources and services

The private sector mainly operates VSAT satellite communication commercial services. There were 36 VSAT service providers in China in 2007.

VSAT commercial services in China include mainly the following six areas:

1. Long-distance applications (education, meteorology, etc.); 2. Long-distance data collection and supervision applications; 3. Private networking service for government and large-scale business companies; 4. Information broadcasting service; 5. Broadband Internet access service; 6. Emergency communication service.

3.2 Development-oriented information and communication technology programmes, services and applications

Based on 30 years’ hard work, China has set up a resourceful satellite space segment bandwidth that can support extensive ICT applications, as follows:

1. Satellite broadcasting, which plays a vital role in rural television and telephone services; 2. Satellite mobile communication, which can provide value-added services and maritime

communication services; 3. Satellite radio and television. China is constructing a Direct Broadcasting Satellite system to

provide digital radio and television services. 4. Satellite broadband Internet access. Internet-related applications based on satellites are

booming now, such as tele-education, tele-medical treatments, B2B e-business and so on.

3.3 National policies on development-oriented ICT application programmes, such as education and training, health, rural communications, rural information service,

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community information centres, science and technology knowledge, and the role of satellite communication in such programmes

From the mid-1980s the present, satellite communication techniques have been improved gradually by taking full advantage of international and domestic communication satellites.

Satellite communications have been applied to more than 100 sectors in China. There are more than 80 special satellite communication networks for finance, weather, security, education, scientific research, petroleum exploration, irrigation work, civil aviation, electric power, sanitation and news, to mention a few. In addition, China has built up the international maritime satellite A-station and for several decades has been operating M-station and F-station. Satellite long-distance education broadband networks and satellite long-distance medical treatment networks have already attained good status in China.

Furthermore, China has set up a number of Earth stations for satellite communication. 4. Other space application programmes

4.1 Satellite-based positioning programmes

In the field of satellite navigation and positioning applications, China has been using foreign navigation satellites since the early 1980s to develop satellite navigation and positioning technology. China joined the international organization COSPAS-SARSAT in 1992, for utilizing satellites in low-altitude Earth orbit for search and rescue purposes. Since then, China has built a mission control centre that strengthened the warning capabilities for ships, airplanes and land-based vehicles in danger.

In the last five years, China has made great progress in the development, application and services of satellite navigation by implementing satellite navigation industry and other major projects. In October 2003, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the European Union signed the Cooperation Agreement on the Civil Global Navigation Satellite (Galileo) Project. With this, China and the European Union reached an agreement on the technical arrangements of China’s participation in the Galileo project at the development stage in October 2004. Through the joint efforts of the both sides, search and rescue transponders and other satellite equipment in the Galileo project, and the testing environment and other ground application projects started in 2005.

The Galileo satellite navigation system, a rival to the reigning Global Positioning System (GPS) of the United States, is expected to be operational in China in 2008. The constellation, composed of 30 satellites, with a navigational fixed accuracy of one metre, will provide safe, reliable and accurate navigational information for Chinese users in the fields of civil aviation, and railway, waterway and road transportation (GPS Daily 2006c).

The Galileo project is the largest cooperative project in science and technology between China and the EU, and it will help to promote bilateral economic and technical cooperation and to develop a huge market with great potential in the civil satellite navigation.

China has been establishing its own Compass Navigation Satellite System on the basis of the experimental Beidou (Big Dipper) satellite navigation system. The Compass system will fully meet the demand for satellite navigation in China and neighbouring countries by the end of 2008. Five Beidou navigation experimental satellites were sent into space on 31 October 2000, 21 December 2000, 25 May 2003, 3 February 2007 and 11 April 2007.

The satellites and carrier rockets were developed respectively by the China Academy of Space Technology and China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which are under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The last satellite in the series is planned to serve as a backup satellite and when necessary, may replace the first Beidou satellite, which is continuously providing all-weather and all-day navigation and positioning information.

The Compass system is operating well and playing a significant role in cartography, telecommunications, water conservation, transportation, fishery, prospecting, forest fire monitoring and national security. It will grow to be a global satellite navigation and positioning system after the network is fully built. The system will be used primarily for economic purposes,

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providing efficient navigation and positioning services in transportation, meteorology, petroleum prospecting, forest fire monitoring, disaster forecasting, telecommunications, and public security, as well.

China is one of the few countries in the world capable of developing such a system on its own (GPS Daily 2007; GPS Daily 2006a). 4.2 Application programmes

At the end of 2005, the number of Chinese satellite navigation and positioning receivers reached more than 500,000, and the total number of users was more than 1.8 million. In China, satellite navigation and positioning technology has been widely used in transport, land survey, engineering investigation, earthquake monitoring, marine survey and precision time service. 4.3 Programmes or projects supported by integrated applications of remote sensing

(including airborne methods), communication, satellite-based positioning, and other space technologies and ICT

(a) Manned spaceflight: China has also made an outstanding achievement in manned spaceflight. Since launching and retrieving the maiden Shenzhou unmanned spaceship in November 1999, China has launched and retrieved three more Shenzhou unmanned spaceships. And ultimately, the manned spaceship Shenzhou V was launched and retrieved successfully in 15-16 October 2003, which made China the third country in the world with the ability to independently launch a manned spaceship. Then, in October 2005, the Shenzhou VI spaceship carried two pilots and stayed in space for five days.

(b) Carrier rockets and cosmodromes: China independently developed 12 different types of Chang Zheng carrier rockets for launching national satellite and space probes. From October 1996 to the end of 2005, China has successfully launched a total of 46 Chang Zheng carrier rockets.

As of 2006, China has built three cosmodromes, in Jiuquan, Xichang and Taiyuan, and constructed an integrated spaceflight monitoring network, including ground telemetry stations and ocean vessels, and completed the experiments for all kinds of carrier rockets and the launches of multiple satellites, as well as Shenzhou spaceships.

(c) Space science: China began to make use of sounding rockets and sounding balloon to explore the upper atmosphere in the early 1960s, and make use of the Practice scientific exploration and technological experiment satellite series to explore space. The retrievable remote sensing satellites were used for scientific experiments in the late 1980s, which achieved success in the research field of crystal and protein growing, and cultivating cells and plants for breeding.

In recent years, China performed more experiments on geo-space exploration, chronometer observation, space microgravity sciences, space material sciences and space life sciences. China cooperated with the European Space Agency to operate the Double Star Exploration Programme, which realized explorations at six different positions in geo-space, with four exploration satellites of ESA. China made use of Shenzhou spacecraft to explore high-energy space astronomy. Furthermore, Chinese research in space weather forecasting, lunar exploration, and solar system planet exploration has been making great progress. 5. Best practices in development and provision of products and services for public benefit

China has developed operational drought prediction methods and models using space technology. Digital elevation models (DEM) generated from satellite remote sensing information are very useful for soil and water conservation, which is the primary goal of watershed management programmes, especially in drought-prone areas (Zheng et al. 2007).

Space technology has been widely used to support decision-making for disaster management. As the decision-support agency of the National Committee for Disaster Reduction, the National Disaster Reduction Centre of China has been making operational products based on different remote sensing data since 2004. Three types of operational products have come into being: products for disaster risk assessment, disaster observation and disaster assessment. These products have provided effective decision support for disaster preparation, disaster emergency response, disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction for governmental disaster managers.

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With the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the China Meteorological Administration, the first satellite data sharing system using Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite (DVB-S) technology was set up by the National Satellite Meteorological Centre in 2004. It was officially named FengyunCast officially in 2006. FengyunCast currently disseminates FY-2C, FY-1D, Terra/Modis, Aqua/Modis or NOAA/AVHRR data and has more than 110 users.

China, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), WMO and EUMETSAT, as well as many prospective data provider partners, are working in close cooperation in the development of GEONETCast, a global network of satellite-based data dissemination systems providing environmental data to a world-wide user community. This user-driven, user-friendly and low-cost information dissemination service aims to provide global information as a basis for sound decision-making in a number of critical areas, including public health, energy, agriculture, weather, water, climate, natural disasters and ecosystems. Accessing and sharing such a range of vital data will yield societal benefits through improved human health and well-being, environment management and economic growth.

FengyunCast is one of the important components of GEONETCast. Since its establishment, China expanded the dissemination of FengyunCast data as far west as Pakistan and as far east as New Zealand in 2006. FengyunCast would meet the regional need and move GEONETCast much closer to global coverage.

In March 2006, China donated user reception systems of FengyunCast to seven countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand, and committed itself to supporting the developing countries in Asia and the Pacific by providing FengyunCast user reception equipment. The equipment, based on Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite technology, would provide real-time data obtained by China’s Fengyun meteorological satellite series. The move aims to pool the meteorological information in the Asia-Pacific region and help reduce natural disasters and promote social and economic prosperity in the region. Those seven countries and China are the signatories of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA) Convention, which was signed in Beijing on 28 October 2005 (People’s Daily Online 2006). In July 2006, a FengyunCast user training workshop was organized at CMA for those who received user reception systems (Zheng et al. 2007).

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6. FIJI The following summary has been compiled from information available to ESCAP at the time of the compilation. 1. National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology

applications

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Barma Nand, Director Department of Lands and Survey Ministry of Lands, Mineral Resources and Energy P.O. Box 2222, Government Buildings Suva, Fiji Fax: +679-3309331 Tel.: +679-3309331 Email: bnand@lands.gov.fj

2. Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in Fiji

between 1997 and 2006

The Pacific GIS and User Conference hosted by the South Pacific Commission (SOPAC) and several other organizations was held on 27-30 November 2006 at the Marine Studies Campus, the University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. The theme of that conference was Pacific Developments (GSDI 2006a).

The Coastal and Marine Remote Sensing Workshop was organized as a side event to the Pacific Islands GIS/RS Conference on 24 November 2006, at the University of South Pacific, Suva, Fiji (GSDI 2006b). 3. Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which Fiji

is a member

Listed hereunder are some of the international organizations of which Fiji is a member:

• Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP).

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7. HONG KONG, CHINA Responding agencies:

Content provided by Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), with contributions from: • Civil Aviation Department, • Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, • Joint Laboratory for GeoInformation Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, • Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr C. Y. Lam, Director Hong Kong Observatory 134A Nathan Road, Kowloon Hong Kong, China Fax: +852-2311-9448 Tel.: +852-2926-8221 Email: dhko@hko.gov.hk

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policy and strategy relevant to space technology applications

The Hong Kong Observatory is the lead organization in Hong Kong, China, in respect of space technology applications. It extensively uses satellite data and images for applications in various disciplines such as meteorology and environmental monitoring. Satellite images are also used for monitoring and observation of fog, haze, hill fire, sandstorm, volcanic eruption, and sea surface temperature. HKO also deals with meteorological satellite applications and natural hazards monitoring.

The Civil Aviation Department deals with communications, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management. It has set up a dedicated team to develop satellite-based air navigation procedures for the Hong Kong environment since 2003.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, deals with geotechnical engineering applications of remote sensing technologies. It employs remote sensing technology in slope safety monitoring.

The Joint Laboratory for GeoInformation Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), deals with Earth information science research. It implemented a satellite reception system in 2005 to receive broadcasts from Envisat of the European Space Agency with a view to fostering the development of new industries in remote sensing data processing, software development and other professional services.

The Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), deals with space and Earth information science research, particularly in using satellite data in air quality studies.

The following government departments use space technology in their operations:

• The Office of the Telecommunications Authority governs satellite communications in Hong Kong, China. It is the executive arm of the Telecommunications Authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which is the statutory body responsible for regulating the telecommunications industry and administering the ordinances governing the establishment and operation of telecommunication services, including satellite-based communication services.

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• The Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department is the central authority for land surveys and all types of mapping services in Hong Kong, China. It employs a satellite positioning system to enhance the land surveying and mapping services to users.

Other tertiary institutions conducting research studies on remote sensing include the following:

• Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU) is involved in the application of remote sensing to urban micro-climate monitoring and environmental quality, remote sensing of landslides, ecological mapping in country parks, and the use of satellite data for air pollution control. It also conducts research, in cooperation with HKO, in using GPS signals in estimating atmospheric water vapour content.

• The University of Hong Kong (HKU) makes use of satellite data in the study of the quality of the night sky in Hong Kong, China, and in research on the characteristics of tropospheric ozone and air pollutants over Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region.

1.2.2 General information on national space activities

During 1997 to 2006 a number of projects were completed in relation to natural hazard monitoring, disaster reduction, the environment and sustainable development, renewable natural resources management, and Earth observation satellite applications. 1.3 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Hong Kong, China, is a member

Some of the international organizations of which Hong Kong, China, is a member are listed hereunder:

• Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP). • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP).

2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

(a) Disaster risk reduction: HKO provides official warnings on tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, rainstorms, landslides, flooding, strong monsoon, fire danger, frost, cold and very hot weather, as well as UV index for Hong Kong, China. It also issues Significant Metrological (SIGMET) information to the aviation communication system whenever hazardous weather such as thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, turbulence and icing occur or are expected to occur in a designated airspace over the northern part of the South China Sea that may affect the safety of aircraft operations. In order to issue timely warnings on hazardous weather, HKO keeps continuous watch of the weather in and around Hong Kong, China, based on satellite images and other weather information. Satellite data are also employed in the numerical weather prediction models of HKO to improve forecasting of inclement weather, such as tropical cyclones.

HKO also passes the hazardous weather warnings to the television stations, radio stations and the press for further broadcast to members of the public. These warnings, together with satellite images, are made available in real time on HKO’s Internet web sites (www.weather.gov.hk and www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/intersat/satpic_s.shtml).

(b) Environment and sustainable development: HKO utilizes images from polar-orbiting satellites, notably MODIS images from the EOS series of satellites, to aid environmental monitoring. The images are used for monitoring of aerosol concentration, location of hill fires and sandstorms, and chlorophyll concentration in the ocean. MODIS images are displayed on the HKO web site for viewing by the public (www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/intersat/modis/sat.html). MODIS data are also provided to local tertiary institutes for research purposes, such as air quality studies.

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(c) Renewable natural resources management: Both the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science (ISEIS) of CUHK and the Institute for the Environment (IENV) of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have organized a number of projects related to management of renewable natural resources.

(d) Geological and hydrological applications: Located in a subtropical region, Hong Kong, China, is threatened by severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, tropical cyclones and storm surges. All these can lead to flooding and other mishaps, causing casualties and disruption to land traffic. HKO uses satellite data for close monitoring of such severe weather, with a view to providing early warning of floods to other government departments and the public. In addition to hydrological applications, HKO operates two continuous GPS stations for the monitoring of crustal movements.

In respect of geological applications, ISEIS has been monitoring ground surface movement for the Chinese mining industry with the integrated use of remote sensing and GIS technology since 2005. 2.2 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

HKO operates four satellite reception systems to gain access to satellite data from various meteorological and Earth observing satellites. Two satellite reception systems are located at the headquarters of the HKO in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, receiving data from China’s FY-2C satellite and Japan’s MTSAT-1R satellite. From these data, satellite image products in the visible, IR1, IR2, IR3 and IR4 channels are generated. In early 2007, a new satellite reception system capable of receiving and processing MTSAT-1R data in HRIT and LRIT formats will be installed at the headquarters of HKO to replace the existing reception system for MTSAT-1R. The third satellite reception system of HKO, located at the King’s Park Meteorological Station, receives broadcasts from China’s FY-1D satellite as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series of polar-orbiting satellites. Data from each of these satellites are received about twice daily. Available in various visible and infrared channels, the satellite data are processed to generate satellite image products covering Asia and the western Pacific. The fourth satellite reception system of HKO is also located at the King’s Park Meteorological Station. It receives satellite data from the Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Earth Observing System (EOS) series of satellites of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Data in 36 channels from each of the two satellites in the series, namely Aqua and Terra, are received twice daily. The data are processed to generate image products covering Asia. HKO operates a data server to provide MODIS data to local tertiary institutes to promulgate and facilitate research in Earth observing satellite data.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong receives satellite broadcasts from the ESA’s Envisat satellite. The satellite antenna is located at the CUHK campus in Shatin, New Territories. The system is used to receive Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) images. The reception system covers a range of over 2,500 kilometres from Hong Kong, China, encompassing the Republic of Korea and the southern part of Japan in the east, the eastern India Ocean in the west, Jilin province in the north, and part of Indonesia in the south.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology operates a satellite reception system for receiving data from the NOAA series of satellites. The satellite antenna is located at the HKUST campus in Clear Water Bay, New Territories. 3. Government / public-sector operated communication satellite resources and services,

including leased transponders

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority is responsible for regulating the satellite telecommunications services within Hong Kong, China. Satellite-based telecommunications and television broadcasting services are provided via a multitude of satellites in the region with more than 50 satellite Earth station antennas. Two Hong Kong companies hold licenses under the Telecommunication Ordinance and the Outer Space Ordinance to operate and provide satellite communication services.

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As of mid-2005, the two satellite companies were operating seven communication satellites, namely AsiaSat-2, AsiaSat-3S, AsiaSat-4, APSTAR-1, APSTAR-IA, APSTAR-IIR and APSTAR-VI.

Hong Kong, China, adopted an open sky Policy in regulating the provision of satellite services. There is no restriction on the reception of free-to-air satellite television broadcasts. 4. Other space application programmes

4.1 Satellite-based positioning programmes

(a) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) activities in Hong Kong: The GNSS is a fundamental component of the worldwide Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) elements. The current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) strategy for the introduction of advanced CNS/ATM systems envisages a gradual transition from the current terrestrial navigation infrastructure to the increased use of a satellite navigation infrastructure.

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) of Hong Kong, China, has been actively studying GNSS applications, developing en-route, arrival and departure procedures for GNSS en-route and terminal navigation and conducting trials with suitably equipped aircraft, and the GNSS project is included in the Hong Kong CNS/ATM Trial and Evaluation Programme. In late 2003, CAD set up a dedicated small team to develop satellite-based air navigation procedures for the Hong Kong environment that includes study, design, trial and implementation of the Area Navigation (RNAV) arrival and departure procedures. A total of 28 departure procedures have been developed and put into operational use since July 2005.

(b) Activities conducted by the Lands Department: Mapping information provided by the Lands Department is enhanced by employing new technologies in satellite positioning systems. The information is available on Internet web sites. Members of the public may navigate through images of various parts of Hong Kong, China, by browsing, zooming and panning the maps displayed. 4.2 Programmes or projects supported by integrated applications of remote sensing

(including airborne methods), communication, satellite-based positioning, and other space technologies and ICT

The Institute of Space and Earth Information Science of the Chinese University of Hong Kong organizes regular professional training programmes on remote sensing technology for local government departments, universities and research institutes. Remote sensing users from other countries are welcome to attend. Between 2000 and 2002, CUHK organized six training courses on the applications of space technology. 5. Operational products and services and their major application fields

In Hong Kong, China, a few organizations produce and provide space information products and services, which are generated from data received through their ground receiving stations. 5.1 Operational products and services provided by HKO

(a) Products generated from data of geostationary satellites FY-2C and MTSAT-1R:

• Cloud images in visible and infrared channels; • Night-time fog product.

(b) Products generated from data of polar-orbiting satellites FY-1D and NOAA series:

• Cloud images in visible and infrared channels; • Night-time fog product; • Sea surface temperature images.

(c) Products generated from MODIS images: • True-colour images; • Sea surface temperature images; • Aerosol optical depth (AOD) images;

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• Chlorophyll-a concentration images; • Night-time fog product; • Land surface temperature images; • Temperature and humidity images at various pressure levels.

The products specified above are used in meteorology and oceanography, as well as environmental monitoring. They are made available to weather forecasters of HKO via dedicated displays and a web-based Intranet. Some of the images are passed to other government departments, public utility companies and special users via a web-based interface. In addition, HKO provides MODIS data to registered researchers in local tertiary institutes via secured data server.

Real-time satellite images are one of the most popular forms of weather information on the HKO Internet site for members of the public. The satellite images are also used in television weather programmes hosted by HKO meteorologists and in special media briefings conducted during the approach of hazardous weather such as tropical cyclones or heavy rain. Through the television medium, the satellite images are useful for explaining the weather situation to the general public. 5.2 Products and services produced by ISEIS, Chinese University of Hong Kong

ISEIS offers Envisat ASAR data products (standard and value-added) for South China and South-East Asia. Data orders can be made in regular programme mode (14 days in advance) up to emergency programme mode (three to four days in advance, subject to ESA provision). The data products can be delivered via DVD storage media or FTP access. Additional discounts can be offered for non-profit making research projects or volume orders.

• Flood area monitoring using Envisat ASAR data: ISEIS has developed a methodology for rapid extraction of flood area using Envisat ASAR data, so flood area analysis results can usually be delivered two to three hours after the data acquisition;

• Ground subsidence monitoring and digital elevation model (DEM) generation: ISEIS can provide continuous monitoring of ground subsidence at specified locations (e.g. mine, hill slope of large areas) up to sub-centimetre accuracy using Envisat ASAR data and InSAR technologies;

• Ocean oil seepage detection and monitoring for petroleum resources exploration: Detecting and monitoring oil seeping into the sea is done by using radar remote sensing technology.

• All-weather ship detection and monitoring. ISEIS has also produced a standard operational manual for the planning, ordering, acquisition and processing of basic Envisat data.

In addition, some higher-level products, such as ship location maps, DEM, flood area extent maps, and vegetation maps are produced. CUHK has established a high-speed Internet connection with the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). With this data connection, remote sensing data acquired by ISEIS can be transferred electronically to CAS for further analysis.

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8. INDIA

Responding agency:

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

The Space Commission, the apex body, mainly formulates policies and oversees the programme to promote the development and application of space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of the country. The establishment of space systems and their applications are coordinated by the national-level committees, namely the INSAT Coordination Committee (ICC), Planning Committee of National Natural Resources Management System (PC-NNRMS) and Advisory Committee on Space Sciences (ADCOS).

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Antariksh Bhavan, New Bel Road Bangalore 560 094, India Fax: +91-80-2341-5328 Tel.: +91-80-2341-5241 Email: chairman@isro.org

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

The Indian space programme is driven by a vision of extending the benefits of the space technology programme to society at the grassroots level. The programme started in the early 1960s with the scientific investigation of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere over the magnetic equator that passes over Thumba, near Thiruvananthapuram, using small sounding rockets. Later, the space programme embarked on developing indigenous operational satellite systems and launch vehicles. It was done through a well-orchestrated strategy of first demonstrating the efficacy of the space systems using the available international missions, followed by developing experimental satellites, and later, progressing to operational space systems. The development of operational launch vehicles also followed a planned sequence of development efforts to reach the current operational space transportation systems. 1.2.2 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of

legislation, policies and strategies

The Indian space programme has the primary objective of developing space technology and application programmes to meet the development needs of the country. Towards meeting these objectives, two major operational systems have been established – the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for telecommunication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and the Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) for resource monitoring and management. Two satellites launch vehicles, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), for launching remote sensing satellites into the required polar orbits, and the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), for launching communication and meteorological satellites into geo-synchronous transfer orbit, have been operationalized. The application programmes cover telecommunication, broadcasting, tele-education, telemedicine, meteorology, disaster management, and resource surveys and management. Space science investigations are being carried out in the field of astronomy, atmospheric sciences and long-term climatic research using satellites, balloons, sounding rockets and ground instruments.

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1.2.3 General information on national space activities

India has today an enviable constellation of both IRS and INSAT satellites in operation. Today, the INSAT system has nine operational satellites in geostationary orbit – INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, Kalpana-1, GSAT-2, Edusat and INSAT-4A. Similarly, the operational IRS series of satellites has seven satellites in sun-synchronous low-Earth orbit – IRS-1C, IRS-1D, IRS-P3, Oceansat-1, Technology Experiment Satellite (TES), Resourcesat-1, Cartosat-1 and Cartosat-2. Yet another significant accomplishment is the self-reliance achieved through the operationalization of the satellite launch vehicles PSLV and GSLV for launching the IRS class of satellites into polar orbit and the INSAT satellites into geo-stationary transfer orbit.

The space technology applications emanating from these space systems have been integrated into many areas of direct relevance to the socio-economic development of the people, such as telecommunication, broadcasting, natural resources, environment and disaster management, education and health. Using satellite-based telemedicine and tele-education, health care and educational programmes are taken to remote parts of the country. Many national and state-level application projects have been carried out using satellite remote sensing and GIS, and satellite communication in various states. Some of the major efforts carried out are towards identifying prospective zones of ground water occurrence; monitoring of the performance of the major irrigated command areas; reclamation of saline/alkaline affected soils and wasteland reclamation; biennial monitoring of forest cover; assessment of biodiversity; study of prospects for mineral bearing zones; mapping and dissemination of potential fishery zones; infrastructure development in rural and urban areas; coastal regulation zoning; and environmental impact assessment, to name only a few. Aside from the above, satellite communication technology has been employed to provide two-way speech circuits, television broadcasting (including direct-to-home services), telemedicine and tele-education services to remote rural areas. Almost all the states in the country have made use of the space technology applications. 1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals and those set up by the World Summit on the Information Society, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction

The following paragraphs discuss the major milestones in the context of achieving internationally agreed developmental goals:

(a) Augmenting communication infrastructure: The INSAT system has become a major catalyst for the expansion of the communication and the broadcasting infrastructure in the country, vastly expanding the services in telecommunications, broadcasting and business communications. INSAT-based television broadcasts cover almost all parts of the Indian land mass, with more than 100 television channels, including those of Doordarshan. More than 200 All India Radio (AIR) stations are networked through INSAT to provide high-fidelity programme channels for national and regional networking. Today, more than 600 telecom terminals are connected through INSAT, providing more than 10,000 two-way speech circuits over 500 routes. About 50,000 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) are operating through INSAT for various business and corporate communications.

(b) Empowering the society through developmental communications and training: India is faced with the monumental task of carrying out development-oriented education for the teeming masses. Satellite communications technology has the ability to simultaneously reach out to the larger population spread over vast distances and is an inherently powerful tool for supporting the development of education and training.

INSAT-based, interactive one-way video and two-way audio networks have been used for distance education, training, continuing education and developmental communication. The Training and Development Communication Channel (TDCC), which started in 1995, and the Jhabua Development Communications Project (JDCP), which started during the 1996-98 timeframe, are two important initiatives in this direction.

Several state governments are using the TDCC system extensively for distance education, rural development, women’s and children’s development, Panchayat Raj and industrial training. TDCC is also used by many open universities, NGOs, management institutes, banks and other business houses. On an

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average, the monthly utilization of TDCC is around 25-30 days, with around 100 interactive training programmes.

The JDCP network consists of 150 direct reception terminals in 150 villages and 12 interactive terminals in all the block headquarters in Jhabua district. The areas identified for developmental communication included watershed development, agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, women and child care, education, and Panchayat Raj. The government of Madhya Pradesh has now taken over the operations of JDCP, while ISRO continues to provide necessary technical support.

(c) Extending the reach of quality education using Edusat: Edusat is a satellite exclusively meant for providing connectivity to schools, colleges and higher levels of education, and for supporting non-formal education, including developmental communications. With five Ku-band transponders providing spot beams, and one Ku-band transponder providing a national beam, and six extended C-band transponders with national coverage beams, Edusat is specifically configured for the audio-visual medium, employing digital interactive classroom and multimedia, multi-centric systems. Many important institutions, such as Indira Gandhi National Open University, the University Grants Commission, the National Council for Radio and Television, Indian Institutes of Technology, and Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, and many state education departments and universities are making use of the Edusat network. At present, a total of 33 interactive / receiver-only terminal (ROT) networks are operational, and 10 more are under implementation. More than 10,000 classrooms are in the Edusat network, and another 6,000 are in the process of being added.

(d) Providing a healing touch through telemedicine: India faces a formidable challenge to provide healthcare to most of the populace living in the villages. It is a matter of concern that only 2 per cent of the qualified doctors, who are attached to about 23,000 primary health and 3,000 community health centres, are available to attend to the 70 per cent of the Indian population living in villages without any meaningful connectivity. Satellite communication technology, combined with information technology, provides a technological means of taking the benefits of the advances in the medical sciences to large numbers of people spread out in remote and inaccessible villages. Today, the INSAT-based telemedicine network connects 182 hospitals – 148 remote and rural hospitals, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, the north-east region, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; and 34 super-specialty hospitals in major cities, as well as a few hospitals of the Indian Air Force. ISRO’s telemedicine network has enabled many poor rural villagers hitherto denied quality medical services to get the best of medical services available in the country. The ISRO telemedicine network is expanding to various regions in the country and has become one of the most visible and talked-about sociological applications in the world today.

(e) Keeping a watch on weather and climate: Accurate and reliable weather and climate forecast is an important element in the socio-economic development of the country, as well as an essential element for ensuring food security and poverty alleviation. The synoptic and repetitive coverage provided by satellites from the vantage point of space is ideally suited for studying the vagaries of weather-related atmospheric processes on different scales. The INSAT system provides round-the-clock surveillance of weather systems, including severe weather conditions around the Indian region. The prime functions of the INSAT systems include (a) deriving the operational parameters for weather forecasting, such as cloud cover, cloud top temperature, sea surface temperature, snow cover, cloud motion vector, and outgoing long wave radiation; (b) collecting and transmitting meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic data from remote, inaccessible areas through data collection platforms; (c) timely dissemination of warnings of impending disasters such as cyclones through cyclone warning systems; (d) and dissemination of products and services through the operational agencies such as IMD and NCMRWF. ISRO is also in the process of developing and establishing advanced Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network to improve weather forecasting and monsoon prediction. Efforts are also on to improve meso-scale models and deploy them in various regions to provide operational products and services in the coming years.

(f) Managing precious natural resources and the environment: India, with its vast land mass and long coastlines, is endowed with rich natural resources and a great variety of flora and fauna. However, with the ever-increasing population and its demand on the natural resources, there has been constant erosion of natural resources, calling for a scientific means of managing natural resources and the environment without jeopardizing them for the future generations. Some of the major concerns are (a) increasing soil erosion, to the extent of around 5,300 million tonnes annually; (b) the need to increase

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the food production and the productivity level, particularly in the rain-fed agriculture areas; (c) dwindling groundwater potential; (d) surface water run-off; (e) lack of infrastructure, both physical and social; and (f) ever-increasing disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, and landslides, to name a few. Satellite remote sensing through synoptic view and repetitive coverage provides a scientific way of gathering information on natural resources for inventory and monitoring purposes. Several national missions in the key areas of socio-economic development have been carried out in the country under the aegis of the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) with the active involvement of the user agencies.

(i) Towards quenching thirst: More than 90 per cent of the rural and nearly 30 per cent of the urban population in India depends on groundwater for meeting their drinking and domestic requirement. Groundwater also accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the irrigation potential in the country. Hence, groundwater prospecting is one of the important applications of satellite remote sensing. Under the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission of the Ministry of Rural Development, remote sensing technology has been used for the preparation of hydro-geomorphological maps showing the ground water prospects for the entire country at 1:250,000 scale, and later at 1:50,000 scale in phases. With such remote-sensing-derived information, the success rate has gone up from the earlier 40-45 per cent to around 80-90 per cent in most of the states.

(ii) Towards ensuring food security: Timely availability of reliable information on agricultural output and other related aspects is significant for planning and policy-making. The use of remote sensing data from IRS satellites has enhanced capabilities of the existing system of crop forecast and crop estimation. Today, production estimates for principal crops such as wheat, rice, sorghum, mustard, cotton and groundnut are made using the stratified random sampling approach. Particularly in the rabi season, when there is no hindrance due to clouds, the wheat forecast using satellite remote sensing has become an operational information service, able to provide the crop acreage and the production estimation much before the harvest.

Box 5. Space technology applications in agriculture

India has moved from food scarcity to food surpluses in the last three decades. This was made possible with the adoption of technology inputs into agriculture by farmers and large-scale investments made in infrastructure, especially in irrigation, power, credit, research and extension. India’s gross food grain production, 212 million tons, is certainly an achievement, notwithstanding the millions of impoverished people, mostly in rural areas.

The rural economy largely depends on (a) increases in the productivity of land and water resources and their conservation, (b) employment opportunities, (c) timely technological, accurate and reliable information in the hands of more than 100 million farm families to adjust their production strategies in accordance with the prevailing weather and climatic regime and market trends in the sector.

The tools of geoinformatics, which include remote sensing, satellite communication, geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS) and relational database management systems (RDBMS), have long been recognized for their efficiency and effectiveness in areas as diverse as the surveying and monitoring of natural resources, distance education and training, and trend analysis, as well as demand/supply assessment. The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region. Besides telecommunications and television broadcasting, this system supports weather forecasting and disaster warning systems, and developmental and telemedicine communications. The recently launched Resourcesat-1 is a state-of-the-art satellite that has three sets of advanced scanners and sensor-based cameras, with spatial resolutions ranging from 56 metres down to 5.8 metres.

Geoinformatic technologies used in crop forecasting

A timely crop forecasting system is essential to strengthen any country’s food security. Periodic within-season estimates of crop acreage and yield and accurate forecasts of the most likely range of growth conditions could greatly help in organizing for the availability of inputs (pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) and for formulating optimal prices and strategies for marketing, procurement, transportation and storage. Experiences with airborne multispectral data show that with adequate information from satellites, some crops can be identified and their growth stages can be assessed.

Data from several Earth observation satellites, including Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites, have been successfully used for acreage and production estimation of homogeneous cropping patterns in India. The IRS satellites have improved the accuracy of pre-harvest estimations of crop production in areas having smaller acreages and mixed cropping patterns. The Central Directorate of Economics and Statistics is using satellite-based crop forecasts to suggest efficient action plans for food grain management. The Directorate and the Department of Science jointly work on Crop Acreage and Production Estimation (CAPE), while the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation is a partner in Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agrometeorology and Land-based observations (FASAL). During its four years of implementation in Orissa, FASAL revealed that it is possible to forecast rice production four times during the crop-growing season with an accuracy of 85 to 95 per cent.

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Precision farming

Farmers are now aware of spatial variability in crop production, which is in turn related to differences in soil properties. Using the vegetation index, derived from crop reflectance in the red and near-infrared bands of the electromagnetic spectrum as viewed from IRS, spatial variation in crop yields and input usage can be delineated. GIS can also be used to further process the data and identify the administrative units that have unfavourable spatial variability.

Vegetation indices and more precise indicators like canopy chlorophyll index, red shift, and thermal infrared-based crop water stress index are more promising for diagnosing the nutrient and water stress. These remote sensing methods are now finding a place in crop management through precision farming. Such an approach can aid sustainability by assisting farmers in deciding the quantity of inputs to be applied to ensure food production and profits from agriculture as an enterprise, thus minimizing farmers’ input costs and reducing environmental degradation. Conclusions

Satellite-based information gathering, GIS-based data analysis and the dissemination of these advisory services through information and communication technology would go a long way towards making agriculture sustainable, and in improving the livelihood of millions of farmers and agricultural labourers around the world. Source: Nageswara Rao, P.P., 2005. “Space technology applications in agriculture”, Digital Opportunity, 8 August 2005, <www.digitalopportunity.org/article/view/116635/1/>.

The coming years will see the advent of microwave remote sensing satellites in the Indian space programme, adding all-weather imaging capabilities, including the penetration of cloud cover. The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has enhanced the scope of the Crop Acreage and Production Estimation (CAPE) project into a new project known as “Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land-based observations (FASAL)”. The challenge lies in the coming years in forecasting the crop acreage and production in a multi-crop and mixed crop situation with requisite accuracy, coverage and timeliness.

(iii) Towards providing a livelihood for fishermen: More than 7 million people living along the 7,500-km coastline are dependent on fishing for their livelihood. A reliable and timely forecast of potential fishing zones can benefit the fishing community by reducing the time and effort required for fishing. Today, the Potential Fishery Zone (PFZ) advisories generated using the chlorophyll and the sea surface temperature obtained by satellite remote sensing data are disseminated by the Department of Ocean Development to the coastal states from more than 225 nodes. The feedback received from various fishermen associations and other agencies indicate an 80-100 per cent increase in the catch per unit effort, besides reducing the fuel cost by almost 30 per cent. The coming years will see additional capability added through the integration of data on sea surface winds to improve the forecasting of Potential Fishery Zones.

(iv) Towards reclaiming precious land: About 16 per cent of the country is classed as wasteland, the reclamation of which is a must for productive utilization in various agriculture and non-agriculture applications. Mapping of wastelands over the entire country using remote sensing data has been done at the behest of the Ministry of Rural Development for effective reclamation purposes. These maps are used in conjunction with the village- and watershed-level information. The Wasteland Atlas of India, based on satellite remote sensing, was released in 2000, and updated maps are being generated to study the impact of various reclamation and intervention schemes. District-level wasteland information is being made available on the web to enable the concerned district authorities to make use of it for their reclamation activities.

(v) Towards protecting biodiversity: India, with its vast, diversified land mass in a tropical setting, is among the 12 countries in the world identified as mega-centres of biological diversity. The panorama of Indian forests ranges from evergreen tropical rain forests in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Western Ghats and the north-eastern region, to dry alpine scrub high in the Himalayas to the north. Towards protecting this vast biological diversity, India has taken many steps in strengthening measures for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Satellite remote sensing has been effectively used in the biodiversity characterization at landscape level to create geospatial databases on vegetation cover types, disturbance regimes and biological richness. The joint project carried out between the Department of Space and the Department of Biodiversity has enabled the development of an information system with evolved facilities for quick assessment of biodiversity and its close monitoring for conservation.

(vi) Towards supporting disaster management: India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with increasing vulnerability to cyclones, floods, landslides, droughts and

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earthquakes. The number and the intensity of disasters have been on the increase, particularly in the last decade, and with the impending global warming, the scenario poses greater challenges to the disaster management community in the coming years. INSAT and IRS satellite systems provide disaster management support for the early warning, risk information, impact and damage assessment, preparedness and emergency communication. Today, satellite-based information is used in the country for various disasters such as floods, cyclones, agricultural drought, forest fires, earthquakes and others.

At the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal agency for disaster management in the country, a Decision Support Centre has been established at the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad as a single-window service provider to deliver space services for disaster management. INSAT Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) terminals are being put to use during emergencies for providing necessary connectivity, as has been demonstrated during the floods in Assam and the tsunami in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Box 6. Agro-climatic planning and support system for disaster management The annual monsoon is a major factor shaping the Indian economy. Though some insulation from the unpredictable monsoons has been achieved through the expansion of irrigation facilities, much more needs to be done. The Agro-Meteorological Advisory Service initiated by the India Meteorological Department and the State Departments of Agriculture in 1975 assists farmers by supplying them with information on weather, crop growth stage and likely weather impacts for a three-day period. Additionally, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting issues medium-range (3-10 days in advance) weather forecasts for 127 agro-climatic zones in the country through its Agro-Meteorological Forecasting Units (AMFU) located at the State Agriculture Universities (SAUs). The Agro-Climatic Planning and Information Bank is an example of space-technology-based agricultural advisory services developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Indian satellite systems critically support disaster management in India by providing emergency communication links, cyclone warnings, flood forecasting data, rainfall monitoring and crop condition assessments. Such information is essential in the relief and rehabilitation of affected populations. The Decision Support Centre at the National Remote Sensing Agency serves as a “single-window access” to the digital databases used for disaster management. Source: Nageswara Rao, P.P., 2005. “Space technology applications in agriculture”, Digital Opportunity, 8 August 2005, <www.digitalopportunity.org/article/view/116635/1/>.

(g) Reaching the rural community: More than 70 per cent of the Indian population lives in around 600,000 villages in the country. Many villages are relatively deprived in terms of basic amenities and services, especially those related to agricultural advisories, education, health, sanitation and empowerment. Satellites once again provide a vantage point in space to extend the communication and remote sensing services to these distant, inaccessible villages. Towards providing space-enabled services to the rural areas, ISRO has embarked on the unique experiment of setting up village resource centres (VRCs) in partnership with reputable NGOs and others. VRCs are envisaged as the single-window delivery mechanism for a variety of space-enabled services and deliverables such as telemedicine; tele-education; information on natural resources for planning and development at the local level; interactive advisories on agriculture, fisheries, and land and water resources management; livestock management; interactive vocational training towards skill improvement and alternative livelihood; e-governance services; weather information and much more. More than 130 VRCs have been set up with active NGOs, and many more are in the offing in the coming years. The main objective of VRCs is to bring about a paradigm shift in looking at the problems at the community level, and ultimately to energize a social process that would enhance the quality of human resources and empower the local community through seamless integration of space technology products and services into the societal fabric. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

The major establishments of DOS and their major area of activities are as follows:

(a) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC): Major activities at the Centre include the following:

• An Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant (APEP) has been set up by VSSC at Aluva;

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• The Space Physics Laboratory at VSSC carries out research in atmospheric and related space sciences;

• The major projects being executed by VSSC include:

o Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV); o Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV); o Rohini Sounding Rocket; o Space-capsule recovery experiment; o Reusable launch vehicles; o Air breathing propulsion.

(b) ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC): ISAC at Bangalore is the lead centre for developing

satellite technology and implementation of satellite systems for scientific, technological and applications missions.

Laboratory for Electro-Optic Systems (LEOS) at Bangalore, working under the overall umbrella of ISAC, carries out research and development in the field of electro-optic sensors required for satellites.

The ISRO Radar Development Unit (ISRAD) at Bangalore, also working under the umbrella of ISAC, carries out research and development in the area of radar systems needed for space programmes, such as tracking radar, wind profile radar and weather radar needed for meteorological applications.

(c) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR: SDSC SHAR is the main launch centre of ISRO and has facilities for solid propellant casting, static testing of solid motors, launch vehicle integration and launch operations, range operations comprising telemetry tracking, and a command network and mission control centre.

(d) Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC): LPSC is the lead centre in development of liquid and cryogenic propulsion for launch vehicles and satellites. The activities are spread across three units located at Thiruvananthapuram, Mahendragiri and Bangalore.

(e) Space Applications Centre (SAC): SAC at Ahmedabad is engaged in the development of payloads for communication, meteorological and remote sensing satellites. SAC also carries out research and development on various space applications programmes. The activities are grouped under microwave systems, satellite communication applications, sensor developments, image and information processing, and remote sensing applications. A programme planning group, systems reliability group and library and documentation group support the Centre. SAC also operates Delhi Earth Station (DES) for satellite communication.

(f) Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU): DECU at Ahmedabad is involved in the conception, definition, planning, implementation and socio-economic evaluation of innovative configurations for space applications. The major activities of DECU at present include (a) Edusat pilot projects, implementation and utilization; (b) the Gramsat programme, including pilot projects in different states; and (c) the Training and Development Communication Channel (TDCC), village resource centres, tele-medicine, science channel, and new satellite communication development and applications.

(g) ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC): ISTRAC provides mission support to low-Earth orbit satellites as well as launch vehicle missions. ISTRAC has its headquarters and a multi-mission Spacecraft Control Centre at Bangalore. It has a network of ground stations at Bangalore, Lucknow, Sriharikota, Port Blair and Thiruvananthapuram in India, besides stations at Mauritius, Bearslake (Russian Federation), Brunei and Biak (Indonesia).

(h) Master Control Facility (MCF): MCF at Hassan in Karnataka and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh monitors and controls all the geo-stationary satellites of ISRO. MCF carries out operations related to initial orbit rising of satellites, in-orbit payload testing, and on-orbit maintenance throughout the life of these satellites.

(i) ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU): IISU at Thiruvananthapuram carries out research and development in inertial sensors and systems. IISU is organized into research and development areas in the fields of launch vehicle inertial systems, spacecraft inertial systems, inertial system

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production, and reliability and quality assurance. It has facilities for precision fabrication, assembly, clean room and integration and testing.

(j) National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA): NRSA at Hyderabad is an autonomous institution under DOS. The agency is responsible for satellite data acquisition and processing, data dissemination, aerial remote sensing and decision support for disaster management. NRSA has set up a data reception station at Shadnagar, near Hyderabad, for acquiring data from Indian remote sensing satellites as well as others. The agency is also engaged in executing remote sensing application projects in collaboration with the users. The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing at Dehra Dun, which conducts training courses in remote sensing for user agency personnel at different levels, functions under NRSA.

(k) Physical Research Laboratory (PRL): PRL at Ahmedabad is an autonomous institution supported mainly by DOS. It is a premier institute for multidisciplinary research in astronomy and astrophysics, Earth sciences, planetary sciences, space sciences and basic sciences, including high energy physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, quantum optics and quantum information.

(l) National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL): NARL at Gadanki, near Tirupati, is an autonomous society supported by DOS. It is a premier centre for atmospheric research. with facilities that include mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere radar, LIDAR, lower atmospheric wind profiler, disdrometer, optical rain gauge and automatic weather station, along with associated facilities. NARL is available for national and international scientists to conduct research.

(m) Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC): Five RRSSCs have been established by the DOS at Bangalore, Jodhpur, Kharagpur, Dehra Dun and Nagpur. RRSSCs support the various remote sensing tasks specific to their regions as well as at the national level. RRSSCs participate actively in disaster management, software development, agro-climatic planning, national drinking water mission, national resources census, large scale mapping, and other missions, besides taking up projects for various ministries and departments.

(n) North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC): NE-SAC, located at Shillong, is a joint initiative of DOS and the North-Eastern Council to provide developmental support to the north-eastern region using space science and technology.

(o) Antrix Corporation Limited: Antrix Corporation Limited, Bangalore, is the apex marketing agency under DOS with access to resources of DOS as well as Indian space industries. Antrix markets subsystems and components for satellites, undertakes contracts for satellites to user specifications, provides launch services and tracking facilities and organizes training of manpower and software development.

(p) Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL): Semi-Conductor Complex Limited, Chandigarh, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Information Technology (DIT), came under the administrative control of the Department of Space in March 2005. DOS has undertaken restructuring SCL into a research and development society. 1.5 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving such development goals

DOS also takes interest in regional/international cooperation and also providing expertise and services for helping developing countries in the application of space technology.

Formal Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) or Agreements are in place with Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, Eumetsat, European Space Agency (ESA), France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, the Russian Federation, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ukraine, the United States of America and Venezuela.

A number of major agreements were signed during the year:

• Framework agreement between India and Ukraine on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space;

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• Agreement between the European Space Agency and ISRO concerning cooperation on the first Indian scientific mission to moon, Chandrayaan-1;

• Agreement between ISRO and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences concerning cooperation on Chandrayaan-1;

• Cooperation agreement on a civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between India and the European Community and its member States;

• Arrangement for consideration of potential future cooperation in the field of outer space between ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA);

• MOU between ISRO and the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) regarding cooperation in flying the ROSA instrument on India’s Oceansat-2 satellite;

• Agreement between ISRO and the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of solar physics and solar-terrestrial relationships within the framework of the Coronas-Photon Project;

• Agreement between India and the Russian Federation on measures to safeguard technologies while implementing long-term cooperation in the area of joint development, operation and use of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) for peaceful purposes.

A joint working group was formed to enhance cooperation in civil space and to improve

trade in high technology between India and the United States. The joint working group comprises representatives of the governments, academic institutions and industries. The first meeting was held in Bangalore in June 2005 to examine the areas of mutual interest in pursuing cooperation and to address issues related to scientific cooperation and commercial collaboration. The Entity List of the United States Department of Commerce has been revised further to make exports to several ISRO units easier. An agreement has been reached to include two scientific instruments from the United States, which were selected through an announcement of opportunity made by ISRO, on Chandrayaan-1 as guest payloads. The United States has also shown support for enabling the launch of American-licensed satellites from India.

India and the Russian Federation have made further progress in their cooperation in the development and use of the Russian GLONASS navigation satellite programme. Following the signing of the Technology Safeguards Agreement, both sides are working out details of the responsibilities on each side. The agreement on the provision of a scientific instrument from India to be flown on the Russian Coronas-Photon satellite for study of the solar-terrestrial interactions is another important cooperation initiative.

The agreement between India and the European Commission on cooperation in the Galileo navigation satellite programme was another major milestone during the year. Three scientific instruments from ESA have also been selected for Chandrayaan-1 through an announcement of opportunity made by ISRO.

The Indo-French joint satellite mission, Megha-Tropiques, for the study of the tropical atmosphere and climate related aspects such as monsoons, cyclones and the like, has made further progress. The major instrument on the satellite, Madras, will be jointly developed by ISRO and CNES, France, while two other instruments, Scarab and Saphir, will be provided by CNES. ISRO will use its well-proven IRS satellite bus to fly these instruments and will provide PSLV for launching the satellite. Further, ISRO will operate the satellite and collect and distribute the scientific data. There will also be scientific cooperation in validating and calibrating the instruments and analysing the data. ISRO has also agreed to include a radar altimeter instrument from CNES called ALTIKA in Oceansat-3 being planned by ISRO.

ISRO and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) reached an agreement on including an atmospheric sounder called ROSA from Italy on ISRO’s Oceansat-2. The main payloads planned by ISRO on Oceansat-2 are the ocean colour monitor and imaging scatterometer.

ISRO and the Israel Space Agency continued the development of scientific and technical interfaces for flying Israel’s Ultraviolet Astronomy Telescope, TAUVEX, on board ISRO’s experimental geostationary satellite, GSAT-4. ISRO and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are working on the development of an Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) planned on ISRO’s multi-wavelength astronomy satellite, Astrosat.

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India plays an active role in international bodies such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the international COSPAS-SARSAT system for search and rescue operations, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), the Interagency Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), the Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG), the Coordinating Group on Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), the International Global Observing Strategy (IGOS), the International Space University (ISU), the Asian Association for Remote Sensing (AARS), the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), and others. After becoming a partner in the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters along with CNES, ESA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NOAA, ISRO is working together with the other partners in planning to provide satellite data for the management of natural disasters.

Sharing of Experience in Space (SHARES) is a scheme ISRO has set up under which training in different applications of space technology is provided to scientists from other developing countries. According to the general arrangement under this scheme, selected candidates will be provided with living expenditure and allowances by DOS, while the international travel will have to be borne by the sponsoring country.

The Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP), set up in India under the initiative of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, has completed 10 years. The Centre offers 10-month post-graduate diploma courses in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (every year starting in October), Satellite Communication (every alternate year starting in July), Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate (every alternate year starting in July), and Space and Atmospheric Studies (every alternate year starting in July). Following the course, candidates have the opportunity to carry out research in their own country for one year, leading finally to the awarding of a master’s degree from Andhra University. There are several international agencies apart from the Government of India providing support for candidates participating in the CSSTE-AP courses. 1.6 National policies regarding the private sector for provision of space application

services, with emphasis on development-oriented services

National policies encourage the participation of private sector organizations in space technology applications. For example, in the areas of remote sensing and GIS, there are around 200 private entrepreneurs involved in developing products and services. 1.7 National spatial information infrastructure

In India, the Survey of India is the designated organization handling the national spatial information development. At Survey of India, framework data themes being developed are geodetic control data; gravimetric, geomagnetic and astronomical data; tidal data on selected tidal stations along the Indian coast line; and digital cartographic databases at various scales. There are three digital mapping centres in Survey of India for creating digital data base. The data is being utilized by governmental organizations and NGOs for bringing out value-added products by computer-aided technology.

Spatial data is made available to users, governmental organizations and NGOs on specific demand with payment, keeping in view the departmental “Restriction” policy, monitored by the Ministry of Defence. Yearly sea-level information is being made available to the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) (United Kingdom) as an international commitment.

Data generation is a continuous process through various wings of Survey of India, located all over the country in the form of zones and directorates. The ultimate aim is that the responsibility for generating, maintaining and supplying data will be of government organizations, while non-government groups will use the data as per their requirements for developmental processes of the nation.

Pricing of maps, data and digital products are governed by certain guidelines in consultation and with the concurrence of the controlling Ministry. As per the existing policy, no data is made available free of cost (SIE 1998b).

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1.8 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or opportunities accessible to other developing countries

Under the induction training programme, about 400 newly recruited scientists and engineers underwent training for about 100 days during the year. In-house training for more than 3,000 employees in various areas of technology, management, computer, safety, administrative systems and the like, was provided during the year. Also, 1,200 personnel were sponsored for training programmes conducted by professional agencies. 1.9 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in India

between 1997 and 2006

During the year, DOS supported 73 scientific conferences, symposia, educational and promotional activities in space science, application and technology areas.

Under Space Science Promotion, three workshops have been conducted on black hole and pulsar astrophysics, phenomena of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), and others. A number of young scientists have been trained to use space-borne data so as to be ready to utilize Astrosat data after its expected launch in 2008.

INTELEMEDINDIA-2005: International Telemedicine Conference: An International Telemedicine Conference was sponsored by DOS and others at Bangalore in March 2005. An outcome of this conference was the constitution of a National Task Force by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The task force will work out various aspects of implementing telemedicine in the country.

An Indo-French Workshop on Climate Science and Oceanography was held at Ahmedabad, in which about 14 French scientists and about 40 Indian scientists participated. The meeting was planned to provide an opportunity for the Indian and French groups to meet and interact to come up with joint scientific proposals on subjects of mutual interest.

ISRO, in cooperation with IEEE, ISPRS and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), organized and hosted an international workshop titled User and the GEOSS Architecture VI: Applications in Public Health for the Indian Ocean Region, on 26 September 2006 at Goa, India. The workshop was attended by 42 participants including 14 foreign participants. Details are at <www.commission4.isprs.org>. 1.10 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

India is a member

Some of the international organizations of which India is a member are listed below:

• International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, as a signatory to the charter; • Eumetsat; • European Space Agency (ESA); • United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); • The international COSPAS-SARSAT system for search and rescue operations; • International Astronautical Federation (IAF); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Interagency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), the Space Frequency

Coordination Group (SFCG); • Coordinating Group on Meteorological Satellites (CGMS); • International Global Observing Strategy (IGOS); • International Space University (ISU); • Asian Association for Remote Sensing (AARS); • International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS); • Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP).

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1.11 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

Space Commission

Prime Minister

Department of Space

Indian Space Research

Organization

Minister of State

National Natural Resources

Management System

National Remote Sensing Agency

Physical Research Laboratory

National Mesosphere-Stratosphere Troposphere Radar Facility

Regional Remote Sensing Service

Centers

VikromSarabhani

Space Centre

SHAR Centre

ISRO Satellite Centre

Space Applications

Centre

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre

ISRO Inertial

Systems Unit

ISRO Telemetry

Tracking and Command Network

Master Control Facility

Development and Educational Communication

Unit

Figure 2. Organization of space activities in India 2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.1.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

India’s two major space systems, INSAT and the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite, continue to be used for a number of applications relevant to national development. New initiatives are being undertaken to expand the application of these systems. The highlights of the applications programme are given in the following paragraphs.

National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS), under the aegis of DOS, is aimed at deriving optimum utilization of the country’s natural resources by systematic inventory using Earth observation data in conjunction with conventional techniques. The Planning Committee of NNRMS (PC-NNRMS) provides guidelines for implementation of the system and oversees the progress of remote sensing applications.

Ten standing committees have been constituted for application of remote sensing in different areas. They are (a) Agriculture and Soils, (b) Bio-Resources, (c) Geology and Mineral Resources, (d) Water Resources, (e) Ocean Resources, (f) Cartography and Mapping, (g) Urban Management, (h) Rural Development, (i) Training, and (j) Meteorology. Each of these Standing Committees is chaired by the Secretary of the respective government departments and includes experts from major user departments/agencies.

The remote sensing application projects at national, regional and local levels are carried out through NRSA, Hyderabad, SAC, Ahmedabad, five RRSSCs located at Bangalore, Dehra Dun Jodhpur, Kharagpur and Nagpur, and NE-SAC, Shillong. State and central government departments,

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state remote sensing centres and others are associated in these projects. Some of the major application projects carried out during the year are highlighted in the following paragraphs.

Some of the recent initiatives include establishment of the Natural Resources Repository (NRR), creation and operationalization of village resource centres, discussed above, and establishment of the Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP).

A large amount of spatial information in various application areas is being generated from satellite and aerial remote sensing data under NNRMS, and it is important to archive, retrieve and serve such information for further utilization by various stakeholders, decision makers, field-level functionaries and others. Therefore, NNRMS is establishing and maintaining a national Natural Resources Repository, which will aid in the generation and organizing of multi-scale natural resources information with distributed data servers, linked through a high-speed network and accessible through the NNRMS portal that has been initiated by ISRO/DOS.

To meet the tasks of establishing the NRR, NNRMS has initiated the following projects:

(a) Natural Resources Census: The census will provide the nation with a “snapshot” of the country’s status of natural resources. The project is aimed at preparation of various natural resources information layers (land use/land cover, soil, geomorphology, vegetation, snow/glacier, land degradation, wetlands), at national level, at 1:250,000/1:50,000 scale, with a specified periodicity for monitoring using Indian Remote Sensing data. NNRMS has taken the responsibility of preparation of a land use/land cover map of the country, while for other themes involvement of respective departments are envisaged.

(b) Large-scale mapping: Considering the need for a large-scale base map at 1:10,000 scale, a project has been taken up using high-resolution satellite remote sensing data. The project is being executed in two phases: (a) pre-Cartosat-1 phase, a pilot phase using Ikonos/QuickBird data, and (b) operational phase using Cartosat data.

(c) Cadastral Reference Database (CRD): The geo-referencing of cadastral maps with satellite images in the digital domain could be used for generating cadastral/village-level spatial information towards the Land Information System. CRD activity has been taken up under the NRR for the states of Karnataka and Gujarat.

(d) Natural Resources Data Base (NRDB): The objective of the project is to organize and maintain a standardized GIS database of all thematic data sets that are being generated under NNRMS and position the spatial data services for DOS and non-DOS users. The NRDB system will include a network of database servers (using Intranet) located at various ISRO/DOS centres and connected to the NNRMS portal.

(e) NNRMS Portal: Servicing of information organized under NRDB to various cross-sections of users through the NNRMS portal. Thus the portal will act as a front-end system providing access to users through a suitable gateway. 2.1.2 Current and planned Earth observation satellites

(a) Satellites currently in orbit

IRS-1C • Launched on 28 December 1995 • Payloads: PAN (5.8 m), LISS-III (23.5 m) and WiFS (188 m) • Data are being received at Shadnagar, Delhi, Neustrelitz, Norman, Taiwan, Dubai and

Bangkok IRS-P3 • Launched on 21 March 1996 using PSLV-D2 • Payloads: MOS (DLR), WiFS and X-ray sensors • WiFS data are being used in conjunction with IRS-1C/1D data • Data reception at Shadnagar, Neustrelitz, San Diego and Maspalomas

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IRS-1D • Launched on 29 September 1997 using PSLV-3 • Payloads: PAN (5.8 m), LISS-III (23.5 m) and WiFS (188 m) • Data are being received by NRSA at Shadnagar and EOSAT ground stations in the United

States and Germany

IRS-P4 • Launched on 26 May 1999 • Payloads: OCM (360 m), MSMR (40-120 km) • Main application project is potential fishery zones forecasting

IRS-P6 (Resourcesat-1) • Launched on 17 October 2003 • Payloads: LISS-4, (5.8 m multi-spectral) LISS-3 (including 23 m SWIR), Advanced WiFS

(56 m and 800 km)

IRS-P5 (Cartosat) • Launched in May 2005 • Two PAN with 2.5 m resolution – stereo capability

Cartosat-2 • To be launched 2006-07 • Payloads: PAN (better than 1 m resolution) • Steering along and across the track up to + 45 deg

(b) Satellites planned

RISAT • To be launched 2007-08 • Payloads: SAR (C-band) • All-weather imaging sensor • Steering along and across the track up to + 45 deg

Oceansat-2 • To be launched 2007, continuation of Oceansat-1 • Payloads: OCM, Scatterometer, ROSA • All-weather imaging sensor

Resourcesat-2 • To be launched 2008-09, continuation of Resourcesat-1 • Payloads: LISS-III, LISS-IV, PAN

Megha-Tropiques • To be launched 2008-09 • A joint venture with French national space agency (CNES) • Payloads: multi-frequency microwave scanning radiometer (Saphir), multichannel

microwave instrument (Madras), radiation budget instrument (Scarab)

2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.2.1 Meteorological satellite application programmes

The India Meteorological Department is primarily responsible for meteorological forecasting, while the Department of Space provides satellite observation capabilities and carries out R&D work in meteorological sensors. The Department of Space also undertakes basic R&D activities in such areas as long-range weather prediction and modelling.

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These satellites provide radiometric imaging and data relay capabilities for meteorological applications, in addition to the services it is providing in telecommunications, television, and cyclone warning dissemination.

(a) Meteorology services of INSAT: The meteorological component of the INSAT system provides the following:

• Round-the-clock, regular, half-hourly synoptic images of weather systems, including severe weather, cyclones, sea-surface and cloud-top temperatures, water bodies, snow, and more, over the entire territory of India as well as adjoining land and sea areas;

• Collection and transmission of meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic data from unattended remote platforms;

• Timely warnings of impending natural disasters such as cyclones, storms and floods; • Dissemination of meteorologica1 information, including processed images of weather

systems, to forecasting offices.

(b) Data relay system: The data relay transponder (DRT) on board INSAT satellites is used for collection of meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic data from remote, uninhabited locations over the land, where about 100 data collection platforms are in operation.

(c) Meteorological data dissemination service: Secondary data utilization centres at various forecasting offices of the India Meteorological Department receive processed cloud pictures, facsimile charts and conventional meteorological data transmitted directly from satellites using the S-band transponder of INSAT. Other institutions interested in meteorological information, such as the agro-meteorological departments of agricultural universities, also receive this signal and obtain meteorological information in near real time. A meteorological data dissemination terminal has been set up by India at Male, Maldives.

(d) Cyclone warning dissemination system: The INSAT cyclone warning dissemination system (CWDS) makes use of the direct-to-community broadcast capability of the INSAT system. The system enables the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) to directly and selectively address a particular area likely to be hit by a cyclone. Simple receivers, which are an adoption of direct satellite community television receivers, are located in coastal villages. These receivers, designed for continuous operation in coastal environments, are designed to receive specific codes which are assigned to particular locations. CWC, after determining the likelihood of a cyclone hitting a place, selects the appropriate code and sends this to the satellite through an Earth station. The satellite relays the signal back to the ground to be received by all receivers. Only those receivers tuned to the particular code transmitted activate a siren, which is loud enough to be heard by people in the neighbourhood. The siren lasts about a minute and automatically switches off. CWC comes on the air after this with a warning in the local language giving details of the likely nature of the cyclone and the precautions to be observed. CWC can repeat this procedure as often as desired, and can change the message as events develop. If the cyclone deviates from the predicted course, CWC can direct the warning to another area.

Several hundred cyclone warning receivers are already in operation along the coastal belts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka. The INSAT CWDS, in conjunction with VHRR imagery, was used successfully in issuing timely cyclone warnings to areas affected by several cyclones that have struck the eastern coastal regions of the country in the last ten years; the system has been instrumental in saving thousands of lives.

(e) Satellite-aided search and rescue (SAS&R): India is a member of the international COSPAS-SARSAT programme for providing distress alert and position location service through LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) satellite system. Under this programme, India has established two local user terminals (LUTs), one at Lucknow and the other at Bangalore. The Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC) is located at ISTRAC, Bangalore.

INSAT-3A, located at 93.5° East, is equipped with a 406 MHz Search and Rescue payload that picks up and relays alert signals originating from the distress beacons of maritime, aviation and land users. INSAT and GOES systems have become an integral part of the COSPAS-SARSAT system and they complement the LEOSAR system. Indian LUTs provide coverage to a large part of the Indian Ocean region, rendering distress alert services to Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, the

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Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. The operations of INMCC/LUT are funded by the participating agencies, namely the Coast Guard, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Director General of Shipping and Services.

The INSAT GEOSAR Local User Terminal (GEO LUT) is established at ISTRAC, Bangalore, and integrated with INMCC. The distress alert messages concerning the Indian service area that are detected at INMCC are passed on to Indian Coast Guard and Rescue Coordination Centres at Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. The search and rescue activities are carried out by the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force. INMCC is linked to the RCCs and other International MCCs through automatic telex and the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network. The Indian LUTs and MCC provide service round the clock and maintain the database of all 406 MHz registered beacons equipped on Indian ships and aircraft.

Development of indigenous search and rescue beacons has been taken up and prototypes are being tested. In 2005, the Indian search and rescue system detected and supported two real distress calls that resulted in the rescue of 23 people:

• On 19 January 2005, a private helicopter belonging to Hindustan Ink crashed at Vapi (Daman). Both the crew members were rescued.

• On 18 May 2005, a Hong Kong vessel was drifting and later abandoned by the crew. The first alert was through INMARSAT-C, followed by COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB activation. Twenty-one crew members were rescued. The INSAT system detected the alert first, with a 98-minute time advantage over the LEO system.

2.2.2 Current and planned meteorological satellites

While the first generation of satellites (INSAT-1) was procured from abroad, INSAT-2, 3 and 4 satellites with higher capabilities have been developed indigenously.

INSAT-1D, launched on 12 June 1990, was the last of the first-generation satellites. INSAT-2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E were launched, respectively, in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999. INSAT-3B, 3C, 3A and 3E were launched, respectively, in 2000, 2002, April 2003 and September 2003. INSAT-4A was successfully launched in December 2005. 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), with its integrated network of ground stations at Bangalore, Lucknow, Sriharikota, Port Blair, Thiruvananthapuram, Mauritius, Brunei, Baik in Indonesia and Bearslake in the Russian Federation, and with a spacecraft control station at Bangalore, provide telemetry, tracking and command (TTC) support to the remote sensing satellites. During the year, ISTRAC supported the launch of CARTOSAT-1 by PSLV. ISTRAC continued to monitor and control Resourcesat-1, TES, Oceansat-1, IRS-1D, IRS-P3 and IRS-1C, as well as CARTOSAT-1 and 2. TTC stations at SDSC SHAR, Thiruvananthapuram, Mauritius, Bangalore, Lucknow, Bearslake and Biak were used to provide support for the launch of Cartosat-1 and 2 by PSLV.

The National Remote Sensing Agency at Hyderabad acquires and processes remote sensing data and supplies value-added products and application services to users. NRSA is the nodal agency for reception, archival, processing and dissemination of remote sensing data in the country. Regarding the Remote Sensing Data Policy of the government, NRSA is the national acquisition/distribution agency for all satellite data within India. NRSA is currently supplying data from Ikonos, Radarsat, Envisat and QuickBird satellites. As many as 145 new private users have joined NRSA’s user base during the year.

Data archival efficiency during the year continued to be more than 98 per cent for all the missions. Data is recorded on digital media for the archival and quick look browse systems. The browse data, along with ancillary data, are transmitted over the ISRO Spacenet from the NRSA Earth Station at Shadnagar to the browsing facility at Balanagar, Hyderabad. The data on the browse archival system are available to users on the Internet.

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About 8,000 data products have been disseminated to state and central governments, private and academic sectors, and other Indian as well as foreign users. The requirement for value-added products continues to see an upward trend. While the average turn-around time of data products is around three days, the products are supplied within 24 hours in emergencies. Historic data of all satellites in NRSA’s archives have been transcribed onto high-density digital media such as CDs.

The aerial remote sensing facility at NRSA offers a range of value-added services, including aerial photography and digital mapping, infrastructure planning, scanner surveys, aeromagnetic surveys, large-scale base maps and topographic and cadastral mapping. Two aircraft with modern navigational aids, aerial cameras and sensors carry out these activities. An Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping - Digital Camera (ALTM-DC) system is also available. 3. Satellite communications systems

3.1 Government / public-sector operated communication satellite resources and services, including leased transponders

• INSAT series – A joint venture of the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological Department, All India Radio and Doordarshan. Nine satellites in operation: INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, Kalpana-1, GSAT-2, Edusat and INSAT-4A;

• Edusat – Specially configured for audio-visual medium, employing digital interactive classroom lessons and multimedia content;

• HAMSAT – To provide satellite-based radio amateur services to the Indian as well as international HAM (amateur radio operators) community;

• INSAT-4C – An exclusive Ku-band satellite with 12 high-power Ku-band transponders providing India with coverage;

• INSAT 4B – Identical to INSAT-4A, it carries 12 Ku-band transponders with an EIRP greater than 52 dBW, and 12 C-band transponders with an EIRP greater than 39 dBW;

• GSAT-4 – Envisaged as a technology demonstrator; • ANUSAT – A 35-kg microsatellite that is being designed by Anna University, Chennai.

3.2 Development-oriented information and communication technology programmes,

services and applications

Major development-oriented applications occurring in India are discussed in the paragraphs below:

(a) Television: INSAT has been a major catalyst for the expansion of television coverage in India. Satellite television now covers over 65 per cent of the Indian land mass and over 90 per cent of the population. At present, 40 Doordarshan television channels, including news uplinks, are operating through C-band transponders of INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C and INSAT-2E (leased by Intelsat). Most of the channels are digitized.

At present, 1,406 transmitters at Doordarshan are working in the INSAT system, out of which 1,138 transmitters (117 high-power transmitters [HPT], 744 low-power transmitters [LPT], 259 very-low-power transmitters [VLPT] and 18 transposers) are working in the DD-1 network, and 153 television transmitters (68 HPTs, 80 LPTs and five VLPTs) are working in the DD-2 network. Also, 111 regional service transmitters (six HPTs, nine LPTS and 96 VLPTs) and four HPTs for digital transmissions are also operational in the Doordarshan Network. Forty-seven private television channels are operational through four private television teleports.

(b) Satellite news gathering and dissemination: Satellite news gathering using the INSAT system enables on-the-spot, real-time news coverage. Prasar Bharati has 12 Digital Outdoor-Broadcast DSNG terminals operating through the INSAT network in C-band to cover important events in different locations for transmission to a central station in Delhi for rebroadcast over DD channels. Two Ku-band DSNG terminals have been added by DD in the INSAT network. Five more DSNG terminals in Ku band are in the process of induction, and eight more are planned.

(c) Radio networking: Radio networking (RN) through INSAT provides reliable high-fidelity programme channels for national as well as regional networking. At present, 213 All India Radio (AIR)

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stations have been equipped with S-band receiver terminals, out of which around 100 AIR stations have been upgraded to receive C-band analogue and digital RN carriers, and the rest of the stations are being upgraded to receive analogue and digital C-band RN carriers.

A total of 76 RN channels are being up-linked at present. Out of these, 39 are operating in CxS and 37 CxC bands. For this task, AIR is utilizing two S-band transponders and one C-band transponder of INSAT-3C. A total of 90 carriers in CxC band are being envisaged for up-linking by utilizing an entire transponder of INSAT-3C.

In the AIR network, a total of 27 stations possess facilities to uplink in both CxS and CxC band frequency. Recently AIR has launched 12 radio channels on DTH terminals in Ku-band at Todapur, New Delhi. Efforts are underway to augment this to 30 channels.

(d) Telecommunications: A total of 624 telecommunication terminals of various sizes and capabilities (excluding NICNET, RABMN and VSAT micro-terminals) are operating in the INSAT telecommunications network, providing 10,070 two-way speech circuits or equivalent to over 492 routes. These include 89 BSNL, 125 for government users and 27 Closed User Group (CUG)/VSAT operator Earth stations and 354 BSNL VSATs (239 multi-channel per carrier (MCPC) VSATs, 53 High-speed VSAT Network (HVNET) terminals, and 62 VSATs operating under the Remote Area Business Management Network. A total of 25,000 CUG VSATs are operating through INSAT.

The Bangalore-Delhi digital network, with two 34-Mbps streams, has been commissioned. Augmentation of the existing 8-Mbps connectivity amongst four metropolitan areas is planned by using digital channel multiplying equipment.

(e) Mobile satellite services: An S-band Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) was added to the INSAT system with the launch of INSAT-3C in 2002 and GSAT-2 in 2003. The following two classes of services were identified for MSS:

A small portable satellite terminal that works with INSAT for voice/data communication has been developed with the participation of Indian industries. The terminal is useful for voice communication, especially during disasters when other communication means break down. It can be used from any location in India for emergency communication. Transmit and receive frequencies of the terminal are in S-Band.

The portable terminal is connected to the EPABX at a central hub station through a satellite channel and hence could be considered as an extension of EPABX, so calls can be made between satellite terminals and local phones on the EPABX. The central hub station is located at SAC, in Ahmedabad.

(f) INSAT reporting system: This system consists of a low-bit–rate, one-way reporting service using shared channels with portable and hand-held terminals. This unique one-way messaging from a remote location to user-headquarters operates with the Delhi Earth Station (DES) of DOS as the hub. This is an experimental service. Short messages from user terminals are relayed through the satellite to the hub and are automatically forwarded to the respective user headquarters via fax or data links. This reporting service is provided using small hand-held terminals. There is a provision to attach a GPS receiver to the reporting terminal for position information.

(g) Standard Time and Frequency Signal Dissemination Services: A Standard Time and Frequency Signal Dissemination Service using a radio networking type CxS carrier on INSAT-3C, is being operated by the National Physical Laboratory. This service is available around the clock in broadcast mode at downlink frequency in S-band and is receivable on a set-up consisting of a 2.4-m-diameter antenna, a front-end converter, an FM demodulator and a microprocessor-controlled signal decoder. The service consists of a train of 5-kHz bursts signal, which is frequency modulated on the carrier. The time has a precision of better than one microsecond and accuracy of better than 20 microseconds. 4. Other space application programmes

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to implement an indigenous Satellite-based Regional GPS Augmentation System, also known as the Space-based Augmentation System (SBAS), as part of the Satellite-Based Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) / Air Traffic Management (ATM) plan for civil aviation. A national plan for satellite navigation, including

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implementation of the Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over Indian airspace as a proof of the concept has been prepared jointly by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and ISRO. TDS is the first step towards implementing an operational SBAS system.

The Indian SBAS is planned for implementation in three phases: Technology Demonstration System, Initial Experimental Phase and Final Operational Phase. The Indian SBAS is expected to bridge the gap between the European EGNOS (European Geo-stationary Navigation Overlay System) and the Japanese MSAS (MTSAT Space Augmentation System), in order to provide seamless navigation of aircraft from west to east and vice-versa. When implemented, the Indian SBAS system will play an important role in the introduction of satellite-based navigation services in the Asia-Pacific region. The Indian SBAS system has been given an acronym: GPS and GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN). The first navigation payload is being fabricated and it is proposed to be flown on the GSAT-4, which is expected to be launched in 2006-07. Two more payloads will be subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites.

Recently, on 9 May 2006, the Cabinet approved the development and deployment of an Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), which will include an independent, indigenously developed constellation of satellites to provide navigation and timing services for critical national applications. The IRNSS will cost Rs.14.20 billion, with a foreign exchange component of Rs.11.00 billion, excluding launch services. The IRNSS satellites will be launched using India’s PSLV, as a part of the PSLV-Continuation Programme. The development and deployment of the IRNSS constellation, the ground infrastructure, navigation, safety and certification and verification software are expected to be completed in five to six years.

Cooperation agreement on a civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between India and the European community and its member States had been signed.

The agreement between India and the European Commission on cooperation in the Galileo navigation satellite programme was another major milestone during the year. Three scientific instruments from ESA have also been selected for Chandrayaan-1 through an announcement of opportunity made by ISRO.

An agreement was made between India and the Russian Federation on measures to safeguard technologies while implementing long-term cooperation in the area of joint development, operation and use of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GLONASS) for peaceful purposes.

Following the signing of the Technology Safeguards Agreement, both sides are working out details of the responsibilities on each side. The agreement on the provision of a scientific instrument from India to be flown on the Russian Coronas-Photon satellite for study of the solar-terrestrial interactions is another important cooperation initiative. 5. Operational products and services and their major application fields

The INSAT series provides half-hourly cloud imagery in visible and infrared channels. The resolutions of the two channels at sub-satellite point are 2.75 and 11 km for INSAT-1, and 2 km and 8 km for INSAT-2 satellites. The primary data are subjected to detailed analysis using digital image processing techniques to provide the following main data products used in weather analysis and forecasting:

• Cloud cover images in the visible and infrared bands; • Cloud motion vectors giving winds in upper atmosphere; • Sea surface temperature; • Estimation of precipitation and outgoing long-wave radiation.

The cloud cover pictures are generated at least once every three hours daily. More frequent

pictures are taken whenever the weather situation so demands. They are produced in visible and infrared during the day and in infrared at night. The images are used in conjunction with interactive facilities available at INSAT Meteorological Data Processing System (IMDPS) for the interpretation of cloud features. These images are particularly useful in identifying cloud systems over the ocean where no other observational data are available, for cyclone tracking, intensity assessment and prediction of storm surges, among other uses. Cloud vector winds are derived from consecutive

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pictures by observing the movement of cloud clusters, via a fully automated, computer-based, pattern-matching technique. Wind data derived at 0600 Z are being transmitted over the Global Telecommunications System (GTS) of WMO for operational use. The 0300 Z wind data are meant primarily for national use.

INSAT infrared data are being used for derivation of sea surface temperature for the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and part of the Indian Ocean on an experimental basis. These data are a powerful tool for possible quantitative estimation of clouds. It has been possible to estimate the aerial precipitation produced by clouds using three-hourly INSAT infrared data. Such precipitation estimates are accurate when they are averaged over large areas (2.5° square latitude/longitude) over five to 10 days or more. The precipitation estimates are required particularly over oceanic regions, where conventiona1 precipitation measurements are not available because of problems connected with atmospheric modelling. Another product of interest is the outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR). This is being derived over a 2.5° square latitude/longitude area.

Box 7. Telemedicine in India: Health care to the rural poor Satellite-based telemedicine network

Telemedicine is similar to distance learning, but requires higher bandwidth for the real-time bi-direction transmission of video and higher-resolution images and data, particularly from patients in rural and remote areas to doctors in urban areas. In India, 75 per cent of qualified consulting doctors are in urban centres, 23 per cent in semi-urban centres (towns), and only 2 per cent in rural areas, where the majority of the population (more than 60 per cent) is located. The rate of hospital beds/1,000 people is 0.19 in rural areas, as compared with 2.2 in urban areas. This is the extent of the health divide in the country.

Recognizing the potential and the capability of telemedicine based on satellite communications, India has seized the opportunity to take the telemedicine project from pilot scale to an operational national mission. Towards this goal, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) took the initiative in building up telemedicine networks around the country. Under this network, hospitals and health centres in remote locations are linked via INSAT satellites with “super-specialty” hospitals in major towns and cities, bringing about connectivity between patients at the remote end with the specialist doctors for medical consultations and treatment. Multi-purpose community teleservice centres (CTCs) may provide the local hub for telemedicine networks at different levels.

Objectives

Telemedicine connects physically distant patients to doctors and specialists, who examine, diagnose and even treat and sometimes operate on the patients remotely. Therefore, it saves time by reducing the travel time of doctors, provides faster access to medical expertise (especially during emergencies), utilizes health care resources more effectively, and enables medical professionals to upgrade their skills and knowledge.

The model

The telemedicine networks consist of a single channel per carrier (SCPC) “point to point” system between the patient end, which is a general hospital located in a remote village or a small town, and the expert doctors end, which is a specialty hospital situated in a city. The telemedicine system consists of customized hardware and software at both ends, with some of the diagnostic instruments, such as the ECG, X-ray scanner and pathological microscope, and a camera provided at the patient end. With the initial success and increasing operational reliability, the networks are now being upgraded with hybrid systems – using terrestrial and satellite communication systems in conjunction for higher bandwidth and more flexibility. The hybrid system is configured with state-of-the-art networks.

The networks are linked through the Indian National Satellite, INSAT (a VSAT system consisting of a 3.8-m antenna and SKY-IP terminals with 2-5 watt radio). It is thus possible to reach remote and underserved areas like Ladakh in the north near the Himalayas, the islands of Andaman and Lakshadweep, parts of the state of Orissa, the north-eastern states of the country, and some of tribal districts. These areas are characterized by abysmally low tele-density and the widest health divides in the country.

Partners

ISRO telemedicine networks have been established based on the strategic partnerships involving government (ISRO and state governments, especially the primary health care centres), the private sector (super-specialty hospitals), and NGOs (local-level health workers). Main beneficiaries

The main beneficiaries are patients at the remote and inaccessible remote locations. Additionally, medical practitioners at both ends have an opportunity to learn from one another.

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Implications

With the effective provision of telemedicine, the country as a whole benefits in several ways: (a) it brings better health conditions to the rural areas; (b) policy-making is improved; (c) local organizations and cooperatives are strengthened; and (d) poverty is reduced. Example 1: Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH) Hospital in Bangalore is linked to two hospitals 200 km away, namely the district hospital in Chamarajanagar and an NGO-run youth movement hospital at Sargur, located in the tribal areas of the state of Karnataka. The specialty hospital is linked along with the Asia Heart Foundation, Kolkatta, to a very remote location in the north-east, a district hospital in the state of Tripura. Starting with just five nodes, NH has extended the telemedicine network to 17 nodes and has successfully carried out more than 4,500 tele-consultations and treatments during a period of one year. More than 974 patients have been given life-saving treatment over the past 11 months, with a 97 per cent success rate and 98 per cent patient satisfaction index. The linear quantification of cost savings has been approximated at 81 per cent. The mortality index averages at 8.1 per cent over the past 11 months. Efforts are on to make the ISRO-NH network server a hybrid network, using satellite communications in conjunction with the Internet.

The ISRO-NH telemedicine network has been extended to Malaysia. The NGO Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has joined the network.

Example 2: Apollo Hospitals has set up a telemedicine centre at Aragonda in Andhra Pradesh, to offer medical advice to the rural population using information and communication technology. The centre links healthcare specialists with remote clinics, hospitals and primary care physicians to facilitate medical diagnosis and treatment. The rural telemedicine centre caters to the 50,000 people living in Aragonda and the six surrounding villages. As part of the project, the group has constructed a 50-bed multi-speciality hospital at the village with CT scan, X-ray, eight-bed intensive care unit and a blood bank. It also has equipment to scan, convert and send data images to the tele-consultant stations at Chennai and Hyderabad. The centre provides free health screening camps for detection of a variety of diseases. There is a VSAT facility at Aragonda for connectivity to Hyderabad and Chennai. The scheme is available to all the families in the villages at a cost of Re 1 per day for a family of five.

Example 3: In Andhra Pradesh again, handheld computers are enabling auxiliary nurse midwives to eliminate redundant paperwork and data entry, freeing time for them to deliver health care to poor people. Midwives provide most health services in the state’s vast rural areas, with each serving about 5,000 people, typically across multiple villages and hamlets. They administer immunizations, offer advice on family planning, educate people on mother-child health programmes, and collect data on birth and immunization rates. Midwives usually spend 15-20 days a month collecting and registering data. But with handheld computers, they can cut that time by up to 40 per cent, increasing the impact and reach of limited resources.

Example 4: At the Sonum-Norboo Memorial Hospital, in Leh, Ladakh, satellite-based telemedical facilities have been installed by ISRO, enabling early expert diagnosis of information transmitted to major heath centres for their analysis. Dr. Devi Shetty, Mother Teresa’s former heart surgeon, now working at Narayana Hrudayalaya Heart Hospital in Bangalore, uses telemedical consulting to evaluate candidates for surgery, which may be performed gratis for sufficiently poor patients who meet certain criteria for support from donor organizations. Dr. Shetty has taken clinics where the most sophisticated equipment was a stethoscope, and equipped them with diagnostic and telecommunications equipment so that they can collect and transmit information to his clinic for diagnosis and possible follow-up. Several facilities in nearby states have been established, with international links to Tanzania, Bangladesh and Pakistan being planned.

Contributor: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bangalore, India.

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9. INDONESIA Responding agency

Aeronautics Analysis and Information Centre, National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN)

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Adi Sadewo Salatun Chairman National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) P.O. Box 1020/JAT Jakarta 13220, Indonesia Fax: +62-21-489-4815 Tel.: +62-21-489-5040 Email: sadewo@lapan.go.id

Some relevant institutions involved in space-related activities include governmental

institutions and non-governmental institutions. 1.1.1 Governmental institutions

(a) The National Aeronautics and Space Council (DEPANRI): DEPANRI is the highest coordinating body, with the main function of formulating the policy regarding the utilization of national air space and outer space for aviation, telecommunication and other national interests. It also provides considerations, opinions and advice to the President regarding regulations and utilization of air space and outer space. The main task and function of DEPANRI in to assist the President in formulating national policy, regulations and utilization of aerospace for national development, as well as in coordinating national space activities. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary of DEPANRI are the President of Republic of Indonesia, the Minister of State for Research and Technology, and the Chairman of the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space respectively, while its members consist of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Minister Transportation, the Minister of Tourism, Art and Culture, the Minister of National Development Planning, and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force.

(b) The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN): LAPAN acts as a national focal point in conducting research and development related to the peaceful uses of outer space. LAPAN is directly responsible to the President of Indonesia while its activities are technically coordinated by the Ministry of State for Research and Technology. Its main functions include the utilization of remote sensing satellite data and undertaking activities related to research and observations of the atmosphere and upper atmosphere.

(c) Other governmental institutions: Other governmental institutions involved in space technology applications are the National Coordinating Agency for Surveying and Mapping (BAKOSURTANAL), the Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMG), the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). 1.1.2 Non-governmental institutions

Generally, there is a tendency for non-governmental institutions to play an increasing role in conducting related activities in space. This tendency also applies to some non-governmental institutions in Indonesia. Two organizations that are very active are the Indonesia Satellite Association (ASSI) and the Indonesia Infocom Society (MASTEL).

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(a) The Indonesian Satellite Association: ASSI was at first an association of satellite operators in Indonesia which was established by five satellite operators: Telkom, Indosat, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), Media Citra Indostar (MCI) and Aces. The membership of ASSI is also open to foreign operators, private entities, professionals, experts, academicians and individuals. ASSI has received broad recognition from both the government and the private sector. It also contributes substantially to the formulation of space policy and regulations. ASSI conducts regular training on space technology and relevant regulatory matters, and issues certification for space-related products and processes.

(b) The Indonesian Information and Communication Society: The convergence of telecommunication (including space communication), information and computer into telematics has brought new services in addition to conventional services. Such new services include multimedia services, video-on-demand, tele-education, telemedicine, Voice-over Internet Protocol, video conferencing, and so on. Consequently, this has resulted in new layers in these ventures. MASTEL is an organization established by the information and communication society, including associations of telecommunication operators, Internet service providers, content providers, computer vendors, professionals and others. MASTEL so far has contributed substantially in shaping Indonesian telecommunication law, cyber law, broadcasting law and more, thus making it an important organization. The representatives of MASTEL also have a seat at the telecommunication Independent Regulatory Body (BRTI) and the Independent Broadcasting Commission (KPI). As a dialogue partner of the government, the opinions of MASTEL are seriously considered by the government. 1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

In an attempt to develop national space legislation as a part of the national legal system, some necessary steps have been taken, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Transforming relevant international legal instruments related to space activities into a part of national law: As far as international legal instruments related to space activities are concerned, Indonesia has ratified almost all space treaties, namely:

• Treaty on Principles Concerning the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of 1967;

• Agreement on Rescue of Astronauts and Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space of 1968;

• Convention on International Liability for Damages Caused by Space Objects of 1972; • Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space of 1975.

Among the space treaties, the only agreement that Indonesia has not ratified is the Moon

Agreement.

(b) Preparing a series of national space legislative bills: As a logical consequence of ratifying relevant international space treaties, a series of national space legislation bills is being studied and prepared. As a first step, an academic draft and a draft of the national Space Act is being prepared and finalized. The draft will be discussed at the second national Aerospace Congress, to be held in mid-December 2003. The draft is designed to be comprehensive and to consider the present and future development of space activities, which would involve “national activities” of Indonesia, including but not limited to formulating rules governing participation of private entities in space commercialization ventures.

(c) Implementation of space policy: As a developing nation with limited financial resources, Indonesia faces a number of constraints in implementing its space policy. Moreover, the multidimensional crisis faced by Indonesia since 1997 has diminished its capacity to achieve its space targets, priorities and programmes. Therefore, the emphasis of national space activities relevant to national development has been placed on the application of space technology to enhance the welfare of all Indonesian people and on other space-related efforts required for the sustainability of such activities. Owing to its specific conditions and geographical location,

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Indonesia views space technology and its applications as a powerful and efficient tool that can make a significant contribution to solve the multitude of development problems confronting countries.

In general, applications of space technology as an implementation of national space policy can be described as follows:

• Telecommunication: At the moment some Indonesian legal entities, both state-owned enterprises and private legal entities, are operating telecommunication satellites, such as two Palapa B satellites series; one Palapa C satellite; Indostar (Cakrawarta) satellite for direct television broadcasting; Telkom-1 satellite for fixed communication, broadcasting and mobile; and Garuda-1 satellite for personal global mobile communication;

• Remote sensing applications; • Research and observations of the atmosphere and ionosphere; • Global Positioning System applications; • Space technology development.

Indonesia is now giving attention to the possibility of small satellite development for

various applications.

As a part of its policy to promote international cooperation, Indonesia is open to the possibility of using its territory for conducting space activities. As an example, with the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Indonesia signed on 1 December 2006 the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes. Furthermore, there is the opportunity for private entities of both countries to participate in this venture. At the moment, some regulatory preparations are being discussed and prepared between them for the realization of the project. 1.2.2 General information on national space activities

Policies on space activities in Indonesia are directed toward the improvement of people’s life quality and the environment. Such policies can be achieved through the implementation of eight major activities: (a) space technology development; (b) remote sensing application, (c) atmospheric, climate and space science research, (d) space communication, (e) space debris, (f) space policy, (g) international and regional cooperation, and (h) International Heliophysical Year 2007. (a) Space technology development: Regarding the development of space technology, Indonesia began to develop satellite technology through the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) and classified the process into process phases, namely the Preparation Phase (2000-2002), Technology Proficiency Phase (2003-2005), Technology Proficiency-based Application Phase (2006-2009), and Experiment-based Applications Phase (>2009).

The preparation phase was conducted from 2000 until 2002. The preparation consisted of several activities in space and ground segments. The activities in the space segment included the study of international satellites and their development possibilities in Indonesia, as well as development of an engineering satellite model. The activities in the ground segments comprised the development of an amateur satellite ground station for low equatorial orbit (LEO) in Rancabungur, West Java, and the installation as well as operation of a tracking, telemetry and control ground station in Biak, Papua. During the preparation phase, LAPAN conducted several workshops, namely LAPAN – German Aerospace Centre (DLR) Joint Workshop in Small Satellite Development and its Application, LAPAN – Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Joint Workshop on Level Aspects of Satellite Technology, and LAPAN – Malaysian Astronautics Technology Sdn. Bhd. (ATSB) Joint Workshop in Small Satellite Development.

The technology proficiency phase is the continuation of preparation phase and was conducted from 2003 until 2005. As before, the technology proficiency phase consists of several activities in the space and ground segments. The activities in the space segments include the development of the Indonesia Nano Satellite, INASAT-1, the LAPAN-TUBSAT satellite, and the

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preparation of the second-generation satellite. The activities in the ground segment consist of Satellite Control Centre (SCC) ground stations. The INASAT-1 is an in-house programme and a cooperation project between LAPAN and related institutions in Indonesia, such as PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT LEN, Institute Technology of Bandung (ITB), and the Indonesia Science Institute (LIPI). The mission of INASAT-1 programme consists of flight demonstration, probe/measure of environmental condition, analysis and verification of flight models, and characterization of the Earth’s magnetic field. The programme objective of INASAT-1 is to obtain hands-on experience in designing and integrating satellite. The LAPAN-TUBSAT is a video surveillance microsatellite that was developed at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany, by a team of Indonesian engineers. The satellite is planned to be launched as a piggy back on September 2006 by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle launcher from Sriharikota, India, carrying an S-band data transmission system, a high-resolution video camera, a low-resolution video camera, and a short text store and forward messaging device.

The objectives of the LAPAN-TUBSAT development programme is to provide Indonesian engineers with the skill to design, construct, test, and operate the LAPAN-TUBSAT class microsatellite as well as to provide Indonesian engineers with knowledge on the microsatellite off-the-shelf components. LAPAN will operate two ground stations to control LAPAN-TUBSAT, namely the Rumpin ground station located in Bogor and the Biak ground station located in Papua, east of Indonesia. The ground station location is chosen in such a way that the coverage area is large enough to cover the nation’s archipelago.

The Technology Proficiency-based Application Phase will be conducted from 2006 to 2008/2009. Here the development of the second-generation satellite will be continued from the preparation step in 2005 into procurement of the components and assembling as well as testing the satellite. The second-generation satellite is planned to be launched in the end of 2008 or 2009.

In 1999, LAPAN and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) established a tracking, telemetry and command (TTC) station in Biak Island (Biak-I). Biak-I serves as one of the important down-range stations (DRSN) for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle missions. Biak-I is also used for monitoring third-stage performance, spacecraft (GSAT) injection into orbit and preliminary orbit determination. Besides, Biak-I provides round-the-clock TTC support for IRS-1C, IRS-1D, IRS-P3, IRS-P4 and TES missions. Installation of the second TTC station BIAK-II (S and C-band, CCSDS standard) was completed in the end of 2005. Biak-II is one of the prime C-band TTC stations for GSAT in the LEOP phase. Biak-II serves as an alternative to the Perth INTELSAT C-Band TTC station and can be used to monitor spacecraft snap signals and propellant venting operations. Biak-II is able to provide back-up support to Biak-I in the transfer orbit phase and will also enhance the visibility coverage requirements for the remote sensing satellite missions of ISRO. With these two stations in Biak, LAPAN and ISRO are ready to support any external agencies that require TTC support from this location.

The experiment-based application phase will be conducted from 2009-2015. This phase consists of operational, application and development activities of the second-generation satellite. During that phase, assembling, tests and launch activities of the third-generation satellite will be done as well as the commercialization of TTC Biak ground station.

(b) Remote sensing applications: In terms of national capacity-building, one of the activities is to apply the “redundancy concept” of a remote sensing ground station in order to maintain the continuity of the ground station operation to receive, record and process satellite data. Currently, Indonesia ground stations can receive and record MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) and Fenyung satellite data. The redundancy concept was fully operated and was supported by the existence of Scientific Atlanta and NEC antenna subsystem submitted by the Government of Japan through JAXA (formerly known as NASDA). Upgrading of the ground station in Parepare – South Sulawesi to receive SPOT data was accomplished in 2005 and by the end of 2006 the ground station would operationally receive SPOT data.

Remote sensing technology has formed great contribution to the country. The technology has attracted the policy maker in proper and optimal uses of natural resources, environment protection, regional development plants etc. In some instances, many inter-department meetings initiated by the office of the State Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs involve various implementing agencies on remote sensing, such as LAPAN, BAKOSURTANAL and others.

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Remote sensing data have been widely used for many economic development activities, including environment protection, provincial not so much difference as done in previous years. Other uses include the following:

• Cartographic purposes; • Forest application purposes such as logging, national forest inventory, forest

rehabilitation, and forest fire detection and monitoring, etc.; • Agricultural purposes such as crop growth monitoring, crop yield prediction, irrigation

plan, land suitability, etc.; • Marine and fishery: mangrove monitoring, aquaculture and fish pond, sea surface

temperature extraction, coastal zone management, coastal mapping, coral reef monitoring, extracting daily catch fish potential zones, oil spill detection, chlorophyll and total suspended matter mapping, etc.;

• Environmental and disaster management application including fire and haze monitoring, fire danger rating system, drought monitoring, weather and climate anomaly, flood, landslide, active volcanic mountain monitoring, etc,;

• Mining and energy: mapping or potential geothermal, geological exploration and exploitation of mineral deposits, oil, etc.;

• Regional and urban development; • Damage assessment of disaster in Aceh and Nias post-tsunami, and evacuation mapping

system for Padang – West Sumatra; • Provision of spatial information derived from remote sensing data by LAPAN to various

institutions in a variety of media such as paper print or CD-ROM; it also has been uploaded on the LAPAN web sites: <www.lapanrs.com> or <www.rs.lapan.go.id>.

In coordination with several agencies, LAPAN has developed an early warning system for

tsunami disaster based on remote sensing data since 2005. The focus of the system is a geo-spatial database. Besides utilizing the benefits of remote sensing satellite data, some other activities are also noticed, such as capability- and capacity-building and international or regional mutual benefit cooperation. In the frame of mutual benefit cooperation, Indonesia has actively participated in various activities such as joint research among ASEAN member counties, and conducting remote sensing training courses to promote the uses of remote sensing technology in the region and the country. Other activities in terms of the SCOSA framework are the application of satellite images for precision farming for maize and rice.

Remote sensing training courses are also one of interesting activities that is being considered by Indonesia, LAPAN has performed remote sensing training courses to enhance the capability of human resources in the eastern part of Indonesia (Biak-Papua and Parepare-South Sulawesi). In 2005, Indonesia, in collaboration with MAPIN (Indonesia Society of Remote Sensing) and the Remote Sensing Centre of ITB conducted a workshop on open source software for remote sensing applications (Indonesia Goes to Open Source, or IGORSOS) to promote the use of non-commercial software for remote sensing data and GIS processing.

(c) Atmospheric, climate and space science research: Activities related to atmospheric, climate and space research are aimed mainly at (a) developing an Indonesia climate model, (b) understanding the natural phenomena and specifications of atmosphere and air pollution, and (c) monitoring and assessment of space science research. In order to enhance capability for acquiring data on atmospheric phenomena over the equatorial region, LAPAN, in cooperation with Kyoto University of Japan, has been operating meteorological instruments in Kototabang, West Sumatra (0.20°S 100.2°E), known as equatorial atmosphere radar. This radar has been in commission since 2001.

Space science research establishes five main programmes, whose implementations are conducted in each division, and in turn these divisions get technical support from the facilities and managerial support from the administration. These main programmes are (a) monitoring, assessments, and applications of the sun as the source of energy and disturbances toward the Earth environment, radio communication, and satellite orbits, (b) assessments and research on satellite orbital perturbation and space debris, (c) monitoring and assessments of space and geomagnetic variability and its impacts to the ionosphere and Earth environment, (d) assessment and research

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on ionospheric regional modelling and radio wave propagation, and (e) monitoring and assessments of middle and upper equatorial atmosphere.

The sun is the main source of energy and the main generator of the dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere. Solar conditions are changing both in short and long timescales (e.g. 11-year solar activity), as well as the weather and climate of the Earth. These short timescales of solar activities which affect Earth’s environment are called space weather. Information system on satellite orbit has been developed by integrating satellite tracking programmes, online access to orbital elements of orbiting objects, and other application software. Using that system we can give information on satellite orbit data (ground track, height, and orbital evolution), especially for satellites or orbiting objects passing over Indonesian territory or belonging to Indonesia. Research on satellite perturbation is used to improve the system to produce accurate information on satellite position, decay rate, and space debris status.

The increasing amount of space debris creates potential dangers to orbiting satellites. We are conducting research of space debris and possible impacts on space technology developed by Indonesia. Space weather as the main factor in calculating orbit evolution of low orbit satellites and in analysing possible danger to geostationary orbit satellites is our main topic of research and will be also integrated into the system.

The Earth’s atmosphere, up to the height of about the Earth’s radius, is a field of geomagnetic activity. This space is a part of the magnetic field outside of the Earth, which is sometimes called the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). The geomagnetic field in the upper and middle atmosphere varies because of the disturbances both from the Earth and from outer space. Earthquakes, for instance, can happen anytime. These events are natural and local, and are caused by the release of energy that is accumulated by the large-scale motion of matter inside the Earth or due to the elastic movements in fault regions for a time. Earthquakes can not be prevented and can cause great loss, both in material and lives, and we require much effort to reduce their bad effects.

The ionosphere is the reflecting region of radio waves for high-frequency communications; the VHF/UHF signal for satellite communications must pass this region (trans-ionospheric electromagnetic wave propagation). The ionosphere has a role also in disturbing those regions. High-frequency radio waves (3-30 MHz) can be reflected by this region, so using this frequency people can communicate to regions much farther away than the regions that can be reached by microwave communication. But the ionosphere regions can absorb radio waves, so the strength of the electromagnetic signal will be reduced. These two aspects show that information about the atmospheric condition when people are communicating is essential. This information is not limited to the frequency which can be reflected by the ionosphere region, but also the possible disturbances that may happen.

If we can estimate or predict the plasma frequency in the ionosphere layer during or after communication, the performance of the radio communication system is in the optimal state. To achieve this, we need to develop a prediction method of communication frequency, both in the short (daily) and long (monthly) term. The development of this prediction method need much effort in mathematical formulation, physical assessment, and need much support from available ionospheric data in Indonesia. Prediction method that have been developed include statistical methods (time series), physical and empirical method (which includes the utilization of the artificial neural network). We can make real-time frequency management system from the investigation of working frequency and communication radio disturbances. From this we can get information on how to manage frequency allocations, which will be used to get optimal results.

It seems that the processes in mesosphere and lower thermosphere are related to the processes in the troposphere and stratosphere, and the variability of upper atmosphere can be used to detect atmospheric changes. One of the advantages in using the upper atmosphere to monitor the climate is in the existence of large-scale wind in this region, which gives much of the local influence in the point of measurement. So it means that it can be used to make interpretations of the results of time-sequenced data as the indicators of atmospheric long-term variation in one of the Earth’s regions, if the coupling of different atmospheric layers can be understood well.

It is very important to investigate the pattern of neutral wind in the equatorial regions

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because these regions are relatively active in generating the equatorial atmospheric waves such as gravity wave, two-day wave, Kelvin wave, and others, which can affect the atmosphere in the middle and higher latitudes, and these phenomena can interact with the ionosphere through electro-dynamic coupling, so it can be detected by ionospheric observations. Therefore, long-term monitoring of the middle and upper atmosphere is a very important task for detecting long-term climate changes and to assess atmosphere-ionosphere coupling through simultaneous observations using medium-frequency (MF) radar at Pontianak and meteor wind radar (MWR) at Serpong (for neutral wind observation) and ionosonde (to detect electron density).

• The atmosphere above continental and maritime Indonesia exhibits highly non-linear dynamics as a result of diversified topography, vegetation and the effect of monsoon and ocean-atmosphere interaction in the Indian Ocean, beside the land-atmosphere-ocean interaction in the maritime Indonesia itself. The effect of climate change in Indonesia can not be expected to be uniform;

• Change of rainfall climatologically in the Indonesia region highly varied: depending on time and season period;

• Atmosphere dynamics above the equatorial region are still being intensively investigated using various equipment (EAR, RASS, X-band radar etc.) in Kototabang, West Sumatra. Research on atmosphere coupling processes along the equator (CPEA) was executed by operating all equipment, and by launching of radiosondes every six hours during a 30-day campaign from 20 November to 19 December 2005 under collaboration between the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Japan, and LAPAN.

(d) Space communication: Indonesia entered the global space communication era by the inauguration of her international Intelsat station at Jatiluhur, 60 km south of Jakarta, in 1969. Indonesia’s membership in Intelsat brought new experiences and opportunities for reliable international communication for the first time in Indonesia’s international communication history. After that, the desirability of using satellites for domestic purposes arose because, at that time, it was easier to make connections from Jakarta to capital cities of other countries around the globe than to reach provincial capital cities outside Java.

Indonesia’s satellite history began on 8 July 1976 with the launch of the first Palapa satellite series, namely Palapa-A1. This satellite system provided telephony and facsimile services between cities in Indonesia and became the main television programme distribution infrastructure. Its success was followed by the launch of Palapa-A2 satellite located at orbital slot 77° East longitude on 10 March 1977. The satellite was for back up and ready to be operated in the event Palapa-A1 experienced a failure or if the demand could not be accommodated by Palapa-A1. Both satellites, covering the nation’s archipelago, were originally designed for domestic communications, as they were intended for unifying Indonesia. The satellites had to cover all islands of Indonesia, including eastern Indonesia to encourage development in the intended regions.

Since the end of life of Palapa-A1 and A2 were in 1983 and 1984 respectively, planning to replace the Palapa A satellites began in 1979 to maintain the operations of the Palapa system. The requirements of the second-generation satellites were based on estimated domestic telecommunication needs, i.e. PERUMTEL (now PT Telkom), TVRI (broadcaster), for government use and needs of ASEAN countries.

The coverage and technical capabilities were increased. The coverage of Palapa-A1 was for the Indonesian territory only, while Palapa B was able to cover the entire ASEAN region. The capacity of Palapa B was increased to 24 transponders, twice that of Palapa A. Palapa Bs were placed in better locations (108°E, 103°E and 118°E), in order to minimize interference.

Palapa-B1 was launched in June 1983 using the United States-based Space Transportation System (STS) Challenger and was successfully put into orbital slot 108°E. Palapa-B2 was not successfully injected into orbit as it had a perigee kick motor problem. To replace Palapa-B2, Palapa-B2P was immediately manufactured and launched in March 1987. Palapa-B2P was located at 113°E. The Palapa-B2 satellite was recovered by a special operation of a space shuttle flight and repaired. The re-launch of Palapa-B2 (named B2R) took place in 1990 to replace Palapa-B1.

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In order to accommodate the continuous growth of satellite circuit demand in the ASEAN region, in 1992 Indonesia launched Palapa-B4, which is located at 118°E. The third series of the Palapa satellites was initiated by the launch of Palapa-C1 31 January 1996, followed by Palapa-C2 on 15 May 1996. Both satellites were operated by the Satelindo Company and carried 24 standard C-band transponders, six extended C-band transponders and four Ku-band transponders.

The successful launch of the Palapa satellite series encouraged several private companies in Indonesia to have their own satellite for communication applications. The first private satellite was Cakrawarta-1, owned by PT. Media Citra Indostar, which is part of the Indovision Group. Launched on 11 November 1997, it carried S-band (2.5~2.6 GHz) transmission to provide digital direct-to-home (DTH) services within Indonesia and its surrounding countries.

The second private satellite, Telkom-1, which is owned by PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (PT Telkom) was launched by Ariane 42P on 12 August 1999. The satellite is designed for a 15-year lifetime and supported by a variety of telecommunication applications, such as high-speed digital traffic, which is compatible with Very Small Aperture Terminal applications. The two instruments allow very small satellite dishes to receive signals, eliminating the need for expensive fixed site satellites dishes. Telkom-1 provides coverage to the whole nation and it has the potential to serve several parts of South-East Asia and northern Australia.

The Proton rocket launched the next satellite, ACeS Garuda-1, on 12 February 2000. It was designed to operate for 12 years and carried an advanced mobile telephony and data service communication system. The instruments enable customers with hand-held terminals to communicate via high-quality and low-cost digital signals, which are able to provide voice, data and fax services. ACeS Garuda-1 provides cellular communication services throughout the western and central Asia, Eastern Europe and parts of northern Africa. The ACeS system is owned by Bermuda-based Asia Cellular Satellite (ACeS) International, whose primary shareholders include Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, Jasmine International Overseas Company, Ltd., and the Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company.

Telkom-II is the latest Indonesian satellite, which was launched by Ariane 5A in November 2005. The satellite, which takes over the duties of the Palapa-B4 satellite, is owned by PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia and has an orbital lifetime of about 15 years. Besides telecommunications, Telkom-II is also used for data communication and information, such as VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), which provides numerous services for closed user group communication. The coverage of the satellite will reach India and Guam and it is designed to cover thousands of unconnected villages by long-distance phones.

The tracking, telemetry and command station in Biak Island (Biak-I), established by LAPAN and ISRO, serves as one of the important down-range stations for Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle missions. It provides injection state vector of the satellite to aid further tracking by other stations before the establishment of definite orbit. It is the first station to track a satellite immediately after injection from GSLV.

Biak-I provides round-the-clock TTC support for all Indian remote sensing satellites. It reduces the continuous visibility gap in the IRS TTC network to one orbit over a day ensuring 13 orbits visibility, with Biak included in the TTC network. Installation of the second TTC station, Biak-II, was also finished at the end of 2005. Biak-II is one of the prime C-band TTC stations for GSAT and INSAT support immediately after separation. It improves orbit determination by ranging for co-located spacecraft. Biak-II is able to provide back up support to Biak-I in the transfer orbit phase. By having S-band capability, Biak-II will also enhance the visibility coverage requirements for the remote sensing satellite missions of ISRO.

With these two stations in Biak, LAPAN and ISRO are ready to support any external agencies that require TTC support from this location. Biak is located at 136o East longitude. Considering the longitudinal visibility coverage spread of +/- 76° for a typical geostationary orbit, Biak will see all geostationary satellites at longitudes between 60o East and 148o West with a minimum elevation of 5o in the geostationary phase.

The TTC Biak-II has the following characteristics:

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• 11-metre, shaped Cassegrain geometry antenna reflector, with C/S band composite mono-pulse tracking feed;

• G/T of 30 and 24 dB/K; • EIRP of 116 and 105 dBm; • Tracking velocity up to 9 deg/second; • Telemetry data rate up to 2 Mbs; • CCSDS (Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems) standard.

Besides the TTC station in Biak, there is also another station at Cibinong – West Java,

which is owned by PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia (PT Telkom). The Cibinong station has the following technical specifications:

• 11-metre antenna, C + extended band, 3.4 - 4.2 / 5.85 - 6.75 GHz; • Receiving gain 50.5 db, noise temperature 42°K on 20° elevation; • G/T 30 db/K on 20° elevation; • Hpa 3 kw klystron (backoff 8 db); • EIRP single cxr 88.87 dbw (118 dbm); • Velocity rate 0.2 deg/sec.

(e) Space debris: Information system on satellite orbit has been developed by integrating tracking satellite programmes, online access of orbital elements of orbiting objects, and other application software. Using that system we can give information on satellite orbit data (ground track, height, and orbital evolution), especially for satellites or orbiting objects passing over Indonesian territory or belonging to Indonesia. Research on satellite perturbation is used to improve the system to produce accurate information on satellite position, decay rate, and space debris status.

By using this system, we monitored the decay of BeppoSAX during April-June 2003 and made identification of decayed object over Bengkulu on 13 October 2003 as part of China’s Long March (Chang Zheng) rocket CZ-3, over Gorontalo on 26 March 1981 as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) rocket SL-8, and over Lampung on 16 April 1988 as the CIS rocket SL-4. We also can produce information on satellites orbiting over Indonesia, status of decaying objects, prediction of re-entry of objects, and analysis of possible danger of decaying objects to Indonesian territory. Analysis of possible perturbation of Indonesia’s satellites also can be done.

Because space debris is increasing the potential danger to orbiting satellites, Indonesia is conducting research into space debris and its possible impact on space technology developed by Indonesia. Space weather – which also affects the orbit evolution of low-Earth-orbit satellites and concerns possible dangers to geostationary orbit satellites – is a major topic of research and will also be integrated into the system.

Research activities on space debris at LAPAN fall into two groups:

• Orbital analysis and identification of man-made space objects which fell over Indonesia territory. So far, there are three objects that can be identified, i.e. those that fell in Gorontalo on 26 March 1981, in Lampung on 16 April 1988, and in Bengkulu on 13 October 2003;

• Research on orbital characteristic of space debris, their impact, and their possibility of falling over Indonesian territory.

(f) Space policy: The National Council of Aeronautics and Space of the Republic of Indonesia is the highest-level forum in the country responsible for policy formulation and coordination of programmes and activities related to space and aeronautics for national development. DEPANRI, for which LAPAN is the secretariat, is now preparing its plenary session at end of this year, aimed at drawing up a national strategic policy on space for the next 10 years. In addition, Indonesia is also drafting Indonesia’s Space Act, which is expected to be enacted in the near future.

(g) International and regional cooperation: Because international cooperation is an area of high priority in Indonesia space activities, Indonesia has and will continue to actively

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contribute to the strengthening of such cooperation, among others by hosting the 13th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) and the second International Water-boosted Rocket and Poster Competitions in December 2006.

Regarding the Sentinel Asia Project (2006-2007), which is one of the concrete actions towards the establishment of the Disaster Management Support System in Asia and the Pacific, sponsored by JAXA, Indonesia will soon activate the data provider nodes, which are to support the setting up of automated and near-real-time data/information distribution through the regional network.

To improve understanding of atmospheric dynamic over the equatorial region of Indonesia, LAPAN is collaborating with DLR (Germany) and ISRO (India) plan to set up a new radar station in Pameungpeuk, West Java named TRAINERS. In that regard, workshops and training on atmospheric radar were held in Bandung, on 7-11 August 2006.

International collaboration on space science and related subjects has been varied:

• NAO (National Astronomical Observatory) / University of Tokyo, Japan, on solar physics; • Kyushu University, Japan, on geomagnetism, especially on MAGDAS (Magnetic Data

Acquisition System); • Indian Institute of Astrophysics, in developing Solar Radio Spectrograph (proposed); • Kyoto University, Japan, on equator atmosphere research, related to upper atmosphere and

space environment impacts; • Adelaide University, on upper atmosphere over equatorial regions; • National Central University, Taiwan, on the ionosphere and seismo-electromagnetism; • Chiba University, Japan, on seismo-electromagnetism; • DLR and related universities in Germany, in developing atmosphere-ionosphere radar.

Beside the above activities, Indonesia has signed the Convention of the Asia-Pacific Space

Cooperation Organization (APSCO) in Beijing, 28 October 2005, and an agreement on space cooperation with the Government of the Russian Federation, which was signed 1 December 2006.

(h) International Heliophysical Year 2007: With regard to the International Heliophysical Year 2007, Indonesia has participated in the United Nations/ESA/NASA Workshop on the International Heliophysical Year, held in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, 20-23 November 2005, and the United Nations Workshop on Basic Space Science: International Heliophysical Year 2007, Bangalore/Pune, India, in November 2006.

In Indonesia, various activities related to the International Heliophysical Year coordinated by the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). The activities are aimed at improving and developing (a) solar activity prediction methods (short-term prediction), (b) prediction of the effects of space weather on satellite orbit and satellite anomalies, (c) prediction of the effect of solar activities on the geomagnetic field, (d) prediction of the effect of solar activities on the ionosphere and telecommunication, and (e) prediction of the effect of solar activities on climate variability. Research on solar physics and the sun-Earth relationship is also being undertaken at the Bandung Institute of Technology, while public outreach will be done by LAPAN, ITB, and the Jakarta Planetarium.

In preparing for the International Heliophysical Year, LAPAN also established cooperation with other countries, such as Japan on geomagnetic observation (MAGDAS project) and solar physics. At the moment, Indonesia is also considering further collaboration with other countries in the field of solar radio burst, energetic particles and ionosphere observation.

The Action Plan on IHY 2007 activities in Indonesia comprises two major parts:

• Participate in Coordinated Investigation Programmes through five working groups: (a) Solar Physics and Heliophysics, (b) Sun-Earth Connection, (c) Geomagnetism, (d) Ionosphere, (e) Instrumentation and Database;

• The sixth working group, “IGY Anniversary and Public Education”, will coordinate with related institutions to come up with activities for the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year in 1957 (and Indonesia’s participation), to educate the public on the

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role of Earth and space sciences, which is IHY focus, and to ask Pos Indonesia to issue stamps on the 50th anniversary of IGY and IHY 2007.

1.3 National education and training capability, including training programme and/or opportunities accessible to other developing countries

Table 1. Training courses

Course Title and Description Training Undergone by Organization Staff

Given by (Name of institution/agency)

Duration/ Frequency

Number of Persons Taking Course

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS for Land Use Planning

State Secretariat of the Republic Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

6 October - 6 December 1997

16 participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Myanmar, Maldives, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS For Land Use Planning

State Secretariat of the Republic Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

4 October - 4 December 1999

9 participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Viet Nam

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS For Land Use Planning

State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

16 October - 14 December 2000

10 participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Samoa, Vanuatu

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS For Land Use Planning

State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

20 August - 18 October 2000

14 participants from Philippines, Viet Nam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Fiji, Myanmar, Indonesia

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS Technology for Integrated Land and Water Resources Management

State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

9 September - 30 October 2002

14 participants from Philippines, Viet Nam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Fiji, Myanmar, Indonesia

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS Technology for Integrated Water and Land Resources Management

State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

14 July - 12 August 2003

12 participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Samoa, Myanmar, Indonesia

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing and GIS Technology for Integrated Water and Land Resources Management

State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping), PUSPIC – Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

16 August - 11 September 2004

11 participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

TCDC Course Programme Remote Sensing Applications and GIS for Natural Hazard Management and Disaster Reduction

State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia BAKOSURTANAL (National Coordinating Agency for Surveys and Mapping ), PUSPIC- Gadjah Mada University, and ESCAP

1 July -31 August 2006

12 participants from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, India, Thailand, Indonesia

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1.3.1 Training capability

(a) BAKOSURTANAL

• Building for Training Division o 1 classroom for 40 participants; o 1 computer room with capacity for 20 participants; o 4 sites for field work (Bogor, Bandung, Serang, Yogyakarta); o Natural Resources Library with Internet facilities.

• Instructors: BAKOSURTANAL trainers and instructors, and in cooperation with other institutions o Faculty of Geography, PUSPIC - University of Gadjah Mada; o Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMG); o Directorate of Vulcanology, Department of Energy and Mineral Resources; o National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN).

• Other facilities: Dormitory with capacity for 30 participants.

(b) PUSPIC (Education Centre for Image Interpretation and Integrated Survey) - Gadjah Mada University

• Building for training o 1 classroom with capacity for 40 participants; o 2 classroom with capacity for 30 participants; o 2 manual laboratories with capacity for 15 participants; o 2 digital analysis laboratories with capacity for 15 participants; o 1 expert room; o 1 digital mapping room; o GIS laboratory.

• Hardware installations o 26 PCs, printer, GPS receiver, digitizer, plotters, stereoscope, Zoom Transferscope.

• Software o ILWIS, ARC.INFO, ERDAS, ER-Mapper.

1.4 Major national journals and publications related to space technology applications, in

both local and foreign languages

Local journals include journals on aerospace analysis and information, and journals on space technology. Journals in foreign languages are Acta Astronautica and Journal Association Satellite Indonesia. 1.5 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Indonesia between 1997 and 2006

• Regional Workshop on the Application of Space Technology for Flood and Related Disaster Management, 2-6 August 2004, Bali, Indonesia, organized by ESCAP jointly with the National Institute of Aeronautic and Space and the National Coordinating Board for Disaster Management and IDPs (BAKORNAS PBP);

• The 13th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum, 5-7 December 2006, Jakarta, jointly organized by the Ministry of Research and Technology Indonesia, National Institute of Aeronautics and Space, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

1.6 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Indonesia is a member

Some of the International organizations of which Indonesia is a member are listed hereunder:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), 1973, member State;

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• Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP), 1999, Member State and member of Governing Board;

• Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP);

• International Astronautical Federation (IAF); • International Space Network (ISNET); • Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), 2005, Signatory State; • International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Science Committee on Solar Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP), 1997, member State; • Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF); • Subcommittee on Space Technology Application (SCOSA); • GEO and Earth Observation Summits; • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP).

1.7 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including sections, major application fields, and linkages between them

Please refer to Figure 3 at the end of the chapter for information on the national organizational structure on space technology applications.

2. Earth observation satellite applications

2.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

(a) Disaster risk reduction

• Monitoring of land/forest fire, drought, and flood disaster-related aspects; • Monitoring and prediction of daily cloud cover, extreme weather, and rainfall; • Monitoring and prediction of drought and flood disasters on agricultural lands; • Mapping and monitoring of volcanoes; • Modelling and mapping of landslide vulnerability.

(b) The environment and sustainable development

• Space mapping of natural resources (land and coastal); • Space mapping of land, forest, and coastal zone degradation.

(c) Renewable natural resources management (agriculture, forest etc.)

• Monitoring of crop growth and production; • Modelling of precision farming; • Monitoring and space mapping of marine resources (fishing, fishing zones, chlorophyll, etc.).

(d) Geological and hydrological applications

• Modelling of geological and hydrological characteristics. (e) National spatial information infrastructure

• Map and spatial data information at BAKOSURTANAL; • Remote sensing and space map information at facilities at LAPAN, including web site

(www.lapanrs.com).

The Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMG) is studying several applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS), particularly (a) Upper Air Meteorology Observation (Merauke, Ambon, Jakarta and Natuna), (b) Time Synchronization for Seismic Observation, and (c) coordinates measurement of site sensors.

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2.2 Current and planned ground receiving, processing and service facilities and products

Table 2. Remote sensing satellite ground receiving facilities

Type Location Satellite Data Received

Coverage Processing Capability Products

Ground station Parepare – South Sulawesi

Landsat-7, SPOT-4

Indonesia Raw and added value products

Soft and hard products

Processing facilities

Jakarta - Indonesia Landsat-7, SPOT, other remote sensing satellite processing capability for various applications and mapping

Soft and hard products, and models

Table 3. Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

Type Location Satellite Data

Received Coverage Processing Capability Products

Ground station Jakarta GMS, being upgraded for MTSAT

Indonesia Raw and added value products

Soft

Jakarta NOAA, MODIS, Fengyun

Western and central part of Indonesia

Raw and added value products

Soft

Biak – Papua NOAA Eastern part of Indonesia

Raw and added value products

Soft

Processing facilities

Jakarta - Indonesia NOAA, Fengyun, MTSAT, MODIS data processing capability for various applications and mapping

Soft, hard, models

Table 4. Meteorological satellite receiving facilities (BMG)

Type Location Satellite Data

Received Coverage Processing Capability Products

Jakarta MTSAT

Indonesia, Asia and the world

Raw and added value products Soft

Jakarta NOAA, MODIS, Fengyun

Western and central Indonesia

Raw and added value products Soft

Ground Station

Lampung, Pontianak

MTSAT, NOAA, Fengyun

Raw and added value products Soft

Jakarta

MTSAT, NOAA, MODIS, Fengyun

NOAA, Fengyun, MTSAT, MODIS data processing capability for various applications and mapping

Soft

Processing facilities

Lampung, Pontianak

MTSAT, NOAA, Fengyun

Indonesia, Asia and the world; western and central Indonesia NOAA, Fengyun,

MTSAT, data processing capability for various applications and mapping

Soft

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3. Satellite communication systems

3.1 Satellite communication infrastructure

Table 5. Government (public sector) operated satellite resources and services

Name Contact Information Satellite Resources Owned

Operated Geographical

Coverage Satellite Subdivision-Long Distance Division PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk

GM Satellite. Office: Telkom Satellite Master Control Station, Jln. Raya Narogong, Km. 26, 5 Cileungsi Bogor, Indonesia Tel: +62 8231000 Fax.: +62 8234900 Email: sat.care@telkom.co.id

Telkom-1 and Telkom-2 satellite

- Telkom-1: ASEAN - Telkom-2: ASEAN + India

• Current and planned orbit position, frequency and bandwidth

o Current orbit position: - Telkom-1: 108° + 0.1° - Telkom-2: 118° + 0.1°

o Planned orbit position: Confidential o Frequency and bandwidth:

- Telkom-1: 24 Standard C-band and 12 Extended C-band - Telkom-2: 24 Standard C-band

A wide variety of major services are currently being offered: (a) backbone transmission (SLJJ,

SLI, cellular trunking, Internet gateway, and the Government Communication Network), (b) access network, including VSAT (SCPC and IP-based), IDR (Intermediate Data Rate), and SNG (Satellite News Gathering), (c) transponder leasing, both wholesale and retail, (d) teleports, with communication uplink facility and transfer orbit support, (e) content service for voice (telephony, audio broadcast), data (Internet, VoIP etc.) and video (television broadcasts, video streaming), and (f) teleconference services, such as Indonet, telecast and distance learning.

Planned major services include transponders, trunking, IP-Network, and broadband access.

The relevant control and gateway stations are (a) Telkom MCS at Cibinong, (b) Earth stations (134), all over Indonesia, (c) mobile uplink stations / SNG (7), all over Indonesia, and (d) VSAT-IP, VSAT-SCPC stations (1,000 remotes) for all over Indonesia.

Table 6. Private sector-operated satellite resources and services

Name Satellite Resources

Current and Planned Orbit Position

Frequency, Bandwidth, Coverage, Gateway Station, Data Transmission Rate

Current and Planned Major Services, Relevant Control and Gateway Stations, Particularly Those Serving Neighbouring Countries

PT. Indosat

Palapa-C2 113°E 1. Frequency: C band: 3700-4200 MHz (Downlink), 5925-6425 MHz (Uplink), Bandwidth: 500 MHz

2. Frequency: Ext C band: 3400- 3700 MHz (Downlink), 6425-6725 MHz (Uplink), bandwidth: 300 MHz

3. Frequency Ku band: 10950-11200 MHz (Downlink), 14000-14500 MHz (Uplink), Bandwidth: 250 MHz

4. Coverage area: Asia and the Pacific 5. Gateway station: Daan Mogot 6. Data transmission rates: 2 Mbps, 64 Mbps,

128 Mbps, 512 Mbps, 1024 Mbps

• The satellite delivers data, voice and video services with level of availability of 99.999% so that our customers from telcoms, broadcasters, Internet service providers and cellular operators have flexibility to expand their business.

• Relevant control and gateway stations • Daan Mogot Master Control

Station • Jatiluhur Earth Station • Control Station in Denpasar • Indosat has 16 antennas varying

from 21 m to 4.5 m, used for gateway, backbone, backup and so on.

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Name Satellite

Resources Current and Planned Orbit Position

Frequency, Bandwidth, Coverage, Gateway Station, Data Transmission Rate

Current and Planned Major Services, Relevant Control and Gateway Stations, Particularly Those Serving Neighbouring Countries

Palapa-C4

150.5°E 1. Frequency: C band: 3700-4200 MHz (Downlink), 5925-6425 MHz (Uplink), Bandwidth: 500 MHz

2. Frequency: Ext C band: 3400- 3700 MHz (Downlink), 6425-6725 MHz (Uplink), bandwidth: 300 MHz

3. Frequency Ku band: 10950-11200 MHz (Downlink), 14000-14500 MHz (Uplink), Bandwidth: 250 MHz

4. Coverage area: Asia and the Pacific 5. Gateway station: Daan Mogot 6. Data transmission rates: 2 Mbps, 64 Mbps,

128 Mbps, 512 Mbps, 1024 Mbps

Palapa Pacific / Agila 2

146°E 1. Frequency: C band: 5925-6725 MHz (Uplink), 3400-3700 MHz (Downlink), Bandwidth: 800 MHz

2. Frequency: Ku band: 14000-14500 MHz (Uplink), 12200-12700 MHz (Downlink), bandwidth: 50 MHz.

3. Data transmission rates: 2 Mbps, 64 Mbps, 128 Mbps, 512 Mbps, 1024 Mbps.

4. Service: Data 5. Gateway station: Cikarang 6. Coverage: Indonesia, Asia, Hawaii, China,

Taiwan Province of China, Philippines

PT. PSN / PT. ACeS

Garuda-1

123°E 1. Frequency: L band: 1626.5-1660.5 MHz (Uplink), 1525-1559 MHz (Downlink), Bandwidth: 34 MHz

2. Frequency: Ext C band: 6425-6725 MHz (Uplink). 3400-3700 MHz (Downlink), bandwidth: 300 MHz.

3. Coverage: Asian region 4. Services: Data and voice 5. Gateway station: Batam

PT. MCI Indostar-1 170.7°E 1. Frequency: L and X band: 1467-1492 MHz (Downlink), 8067-8092 MHz (Uplink), Bandwidth: 25 MHz

2. Frequency: C band: 3700-4200 MHz (Downlink), 5925-6425 MHz (Uplink), bandwidth: 500 MHz.

3. Coverage: Indonesia 4. Services: DTH 5. Gateway station: Jakarta

3.2 Development-oriented information and communication technology applications

programmes and services

Development-oriented information and communication technology applications programmes and services involve service convergence and the Next Generation Network (NGN). 3.3 National policies on development-oriented ICT application programmes, and the role of

satellite communication in such programmes

National policies on development-oriented ICT applications programmes include the following:

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• USO (Universal Service Obligations) – Role: provisioning of satellite and ground segment for rural communications, including most outer islands;

• Broadcast policy (Broadcasting Act) – Role: provisioning of transponder for television broadcasters, Satellite News Gathering, and radio broadcasters (FM);

• Satellite landing rights issue (Ministerial Decree 13) – Role: reciprocal business opportunities; • Education policy (National Education Act) – Role: provisioning transponder for educational

television and distance learning; • National government – Role: provisioning of transponders and government network; • National disaster policy – Role: provisioning of telecommunication network, transponders and

video broadcasts; • Teledensity policy – Role: provisioning of backbone for PSTN and cellular trunking, all over

Indonesia.

Table 7. Programmes delivered through satellites

Fields Objectives Rural communications To provide telecommunications facility in rural areas Education To provide distance learning facility Community Information Centres

To provide information centre facility in order to deliver fast and wide coverage information.

Government To provide network for system information for government. Satellite business To provide all services in the satellite technology at all area business.

4. Other space applications

Table 8. Application programmes for Indonesian

Tsunami Early Warning System (INATEWS)

Fields (Location up to August 2007)

Objectives Target Achievement

Programme Offices

Satellite Resources / Technical Systems Used

To provide network for seismic system and GPS observation

- Meteorological

and Geophysical Agency (BMG)

VSAT IP (Rent to provider, operating hub in Jakarta, Padang and Bali)

Remote communications (73 & 9 sites) To provide network for

GPS observation - BAKOSURTANAL VSAT IP

Coastal (9 site) To provide network for system information for tide gauge

- BAKOSURTANAL VSAT IP

In the sea (3 sites) To provide network for Tsunameter (buoys) system

-

Agency for the Assessment and Application of

Technology (BPPT)

INMARSAT / PASTI

Urban (14 sites) To provide network for dissemination system information

- BMG Ranet (Radio Internet) using Asia Star satellite

Table 9. Application programmes for meteorology

Fields

(Location up to August 2007)

Objectives Target Achievement

Programme Offices

Satellite Resources / Technical Systems Used

Urban (7 sites) Satellite communication for national meteorological data exchange

- BMG VSAT link

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5. Operational products and services in major application fields

5.1 Products and services

The national policy is geared toward the promotion and dissemination of products and services to various users, collaborations with other institutions/organizations at central and local levels, and capacity-building for users in remote sensing applications. A major activity is to encourage remote sensing data applications for research and practical purposes.

Table 10. Products and services

Name Application Fields

Satellite Sources Providers User

Communities Format Duration

for Delivery

Price Country Covered

Space maps and remote sensing informa-tion

Various Landsat 7, SPOT, ERS-SAR, and other

LAPAN Various Hard and soft

Mini-mum 3 days for Landsat

Varies depending on level and format (US$190- US$500)

Indonesia

Spatial information of natural resources

Natural resource manage-ment, agriculture, fisheries, others

Landsat 7, SPOT

LAPAN Private sector groups, local govern-ments

Hard, soft, and some on-line

Rp30 - Rp 3840 per hectare, depending on the scale

Indonesia

Spatial infor-mation of environ-ment and natural disasters

Disaster risk reduction

NOAA, MODIS, Fengyun, MTSAT

LAPAN Central and local governments

Hard, soft, and on-line

Daily to monthly

Free Indonesia

5.2 Public-private partnership

The government encourages the capabilities of some private sector operators in the provision of satellite data based products and services in forestry, plantations, agriculture, regional planning and other areas.

Table 11. Involvement of the private sector in space applications

Name Application

Fields Satellite Sources Providers User

Communities Format Country Covered

Space maps Various Landsat 7, Ikonos, QuickBird, and others

Private companies

Private sector bodies in forestry, plantations, agriculture, etc.

Hard and soft

Most of Indonesia

Spatial information of natural and man-made resources

Natural resources management

Landsat 7, SPOT, other high-resolution satellites

Private companies

Private sector, local government

Hard and soft

Indonesia

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Figure 3. Organization of space activities in Indonesia

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10. IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) Responding agency:

Iranian Space Agency (ISA), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) was established in 2003 and its constitution was approved in 2005. The agency developed a five-year plan to follow. The Islamic Republic of Iran plans to make considerable investments in infrastructure in space technology during the fourth master plan. At least five remote sensing and communication satellites, as well as some microsatellites for research purposes, are planned. The Islamic Republic of Iran is also one of the founding members of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO).

Since its establishment, ISA has been covering all space-related activities as a single state organization. It was established and mandated to perform policy-making on the applications of space technologies aimed at the peaceful uses of outer space, policy-making on the manufacturing, launching and use of national and research satellites, approving the space-related programmes of state and private institutions and organizations, approving the long- and short-term programmes of the country’s space sector, promoting partnership between the private and cooperative sectors in efficient uses of space, and developing guidelines concerning regional and international cooperation in space issues (Global Security 2006).

The secretariat of the Supreme Space Council is based in ISA, and the President of ISA acts as the secretary of the Council. ISA is a governmental organization and its president is one of the vice-ministers of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Ahmad Talebzadeh Vice-Minister and President Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Ministry of Communications and Information Technology No. 22, 14th Street, Saadat Abad Ave. Tehran 1994313 Islamic Republic of Iran Fax: +98-21-22064474 Tel.: +98-21-22093441 Email: talebzadeh@isa.ir

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

The national space programme of the Islamic Republic of Iran can be categorized as a medium-sized programme. The space programme is quite wide-ranging and is broader in scope than that of most developing countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran has substantial natural resources, especially huge reserves of oil, along with a fairly well-developed infrastructure and a large pool of qualified and trained personnel. Its space programme is thus expected to expand and diversify further.

In line with the broad recommendations of the Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development, held at Beijing in 1994, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has set up a National Consultative Committee on Space Science and Technology Applications Affairs, headed by the Minister of Post, Telegraph and Telephone. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Iranian Remote Sensing Centre (IRSC) serve as the secretary of that national consultative committee. IRSC, which was administratively under the Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone, mandated to develop the country’s remote sensing capabilities in all aspects of its technology and applications.

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Prior to the establishment of ISA in 2003, IRSC had functioned as the main national agency responsible for overseeing and coordinating space activities in the country.

Remote sensing constitutes one of the principal components of the Iranian national space programme. Besides IRSC, which played a leading role in space and remote sensing activities, at present approximately 50 agencies in the country are involved in remote sensing technology and its applications, including government ministries and organizations, universities and private sector. Remote sensing, along with GIS, is being used by these entities in a variety of applications in agriculture, water resources management, geological mapping, mineral exploration, rangeland management, cartography, land use planning and desertification. A national network for public information service has been set up to create computerized databases accessible to national users. IRSC has initiated two databases on Earth resources satellite data and remote sensing education courses in the country, and more databases are being planned. Satellite-based positioning is being employed by several organizations in the country for accurate positioning of marine vessels, geodesy, navigation, rescue and relief operations and study of crust movements. Meteorological satellite data are also being extensively used, mainly by the Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization, for weather forecasting, natural hazard monitoring, sea surface temperature studies and related applications.

More than seven universities in the country are conducting undergraduate and postgraduate courses covering different areas of space science and technology, including remote sensing, GIS, satellite meteorology, satellite communications, aeronautics and astronomy. Other scientific institutions and bodies are also engaged in space science research and education. 1.3 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA), multilateral cooperation in space technology and its applications in the Asia-Pacific region have been carried out progressively. Along with Bangladesh, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, the Islamic Republic of Iran is participating in the Small Multi-Mission Satellite programme, which is expected to be launched in 2007. Moreover, initial success has been achieved in the expansion of applications of space technology in remote sensing, disaster mitigation, environmental protection and other fields (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005, 33).

As one of the eight countries signing the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA) Convention in Beijing on 28 October 2005, the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with other signatories, has received meteorological satellite data reception equipment from China. The equipment, based on DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite) technology, would provide real-time data collected by China’s Fengyun meteorological satellite series. The move aims to pool the meteorological information in the Asia-Pacific region and help reduce natural disasters and promote social and economic prosperity in the region (People’s Daily Online 2006). 1.4 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which the

Islamic Republic of Iran is a member

The international organizations of which the Islamic Republic of Iran is a member are listed hereunder:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

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1.5 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields and linkages

2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

Presently the General Remote Sensing Office of ISA, as the main coordinator for remote sensing, GIS and satellite-based positioning activities in the country, interacts with over 300 government and private sector agencies and educational institutions and provides them with various services. Formerly, IRSC played a leading role in developing remote sensing and GIS technologies in the country. It addressed all tasks at national, regional and international levels, including transferring technology to the country. 2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

The Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization (IRIMO) is a government organization mandated (a) to perform analysis of the atmosphere and related phenomena; (b) to organize information and data in support of agriculture, transportation, water, energy, environmental protection, industry and related sectors; and (c) to promote data exchange and conduct research projects related to World Meteorological Organization programmes. Several government ministries and organizations in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Ministry of Technology and Higher Education, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Jahad and Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, and the Iranian Space Agency cooperate with the activities of IRIMO. Following the Third Earth Observation Summit (EOS-III) in February 2005, the national secretariat of GEO was established in IRIMO.

Minister of PTT and Chairman of General Forum

Board of IRSC

Head of Acquisition, Processing and Data Producing Section

Head of Research, Training and Space Sciences

Head of User Services and Regional Affairs

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Head of Financial and Administrative Affairs

Deputy Director General. System Technology

Division and Satellite Ground Receiver Stations

Head of Protection and Facility Development

Deputy Director General. Remote

Sensing Application and GIS Affairs

Head of Research and Studies Section

Head of Geographic Information Systems

Section

Figure 4 Organization chart of the Iranian Remote Sensing Centre

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As one of its international cooperation activities, IRIMO has made plans to install VSAT for neighbouring countries in the region to be utilized for meteorological data exchange. The Tajikistan project has already been implemented, in 2006, and Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Iraq projects are in the final stages. Meanwhile, IRIMO has been holding training courses and workshops for experts and managers of meteorological services in neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Tajikistan.

IRIMO also holds national workshops, conferences and meetings annually, such as numerical weather prediction workshops, climate change conferences, and Space Week workshops, as well as civil aeronautics workshops.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is in the process of setting up its own tsunami warning system, the Iranian National Tsunami Warning System (INTWS), which is programmed to be operational by 2013. The system will be initiated by the installation of a number of new seismic stations in September 2007 and installation of new sea level gauges and if possible installation of OBPS by September 2008. The centre is expected to be operational by January 2009 (Azadi 2007). 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

2.3.1 Earth observation satellite receiving facilities

As far back as 1976, the Islamic Republic of Iran established a ground station for receiving Landsat remote sensing data at Mahdasht, about 50 km north-west of Tehran. It may be the earliest ground receiving station in the entire region to have been commissioned. However, owing to the incidence of various administrative and technical problems, the station could not become operational. Efforts are under way to overcome these hurdles, suitably upgrade the station and make it fully operational. 2.3.2 Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

In 1997, the NOAA/HRPT Ground Receiving Station was established to receive and process NOAA satellite date and become operational in the same year. The station’s coverage extends to the Russian Federation in the north, the Horn of Africa in the south, part of Eastern Europe in the west, and the western part of India in the east. The station is presently operational.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of seven recipients of FengyunCast user reception systems in March 2006 and attended the FengyunCast user training workshop in July 2006 (Zheng et al. 2007). 3. Satellite communications systems

The Islamic Republic of Iran has a fairly extensive telecommunications infrastructure and network, which is being further extended to increase the number of available international channels and expand VSAT operations. The Telecommunication Company of Iran, affiliated to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is the main government agency involved in domestic communications. Another affiliate, the Iran Telecommunication Research Centre, carries out research and development projects in telecommunications at the national level. As part of the country’s long-term telecommunications development programme, the government is planning to launch a national satellite communications system composed of three identical satellites. To realize the project, the Islamic Republic of Iran signed an agreement with an Italian firm in February 2003 to launch its first telecommunications satellite in 2005. The Mesbah (Lantern) Satellite Project will replace the abandoned Zohreh (Venus) Project with Russia. The Zohreh satellite had been intended to provide seven television and five communications channels at a cost of US$125 million (Space Daily 2003).

The Iran Telecommunication Research Centre (ITRC) conducts research activities in telecommunications on the basis of national needs and also acts as the authority in drafting and prescribing telecommunication standards.

The Satellite Communication Department of the Telecommunication Company of Iran is a State organization that provides local, long-distance and international services for the public and

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private sectors in the Islamic Republic of Iran. More information about the company may be obtained at its web site, <www.dciweb.dc.co.ir>.

The Islamic Republic of Iran possesses several communication satellite stations throughout the country. The Asad-Abad Hamadan station was established in 1969, receiving 1,500 international channels. The Boumehen station was established in 1985, receiving 1,480 international channels. In the same year, the Mobarake Esfehan station was established, with a capacity of 420 international channels. The Hekmat Shoar station was established in 1994 to receive 500 channels. The LCT Tehran station was established in 2001. 4. Other space application programmes

At the sixtieth Commission Session of ESCAP, held in Shanghai, China, in April 2004, among the new initiatives related to regional cooperation on ICT and space technology development and applications, the Islamic Republic of Iran proposed the establishment of a regional centre for informed disaster management affiliated with the United Nations. The nation is seriously pursuing the issue to be realized in the near future. In several forums, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s readiness has been announced for the establishment of this centre and to work with other regional countries in disaster reduction (ESCAP 2004, 8). 5. Operational products and services and their major application fields

IRIMO has produced some space information products that have been utilized by national disaster management authorities and research and development organizations. Such products are relevant to flood warnings, tsunami warnings and weather forecasts and are disseminated through the Global Telecommunications System (GTS) of WMO. Some organizations have a direct link and access to IRIMO data and products (Azadi 2007).

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11. JAPAN Responding agency:

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan’s independent administrative agency for aerospace. JAXA was reorganized on 1 October 2003 through the merging of three previously independent organizations: the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). JAXA is involved in many missions, including the following:

• Launch vehicles and space transportation systems; • International Space Station (ISS) and human space exploration; • Space science research; • Satellites and spacecraft.

National focal Points for RESAP:

Mr Shoichiro Sakaguchi Director for International Space Cooperation Research and Development Bureau Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 2-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8959, Japan Fax: +81-3-6734-4150 Tel: +81-3-5253-4111 Email: mwatana@mext.go.jp Mr Makoto Kajii Associate Executive Director Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) 1-6-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8260, Japan Fax: +81-3-6266-6908 Tel: +81-3-6266-6220 Email: kajii.makoto@jaxa.jp

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

In January 2003, the Space Activities Commission (SAC), an advisory committee to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, was assigned to discuss the “Long-Term Plan for Space Activities”, taking into consideration the basic policy on how to promote the overall space activities in Japan. In addition, the subcommittee on Project Evaluation in SAC discussed each of the space-relevant projects of JAXA. In the case of launches, JAXA reports a launch plan to the SAC, and the subcommittee on Safety Evaluation in SAC reviews the ground safety and the flight safety according to the Safety Evaluation Standard for Satellite/Spacecraft Launch by a Launch Vehicle. If any accident or malfunction takes place, the Subcommittee on Mishap Investigation in SAC convenes to clarify the causes of such accident or malfunction in detail and to investigate measures necessary to reduce failures.

Japan’s Earth Observation Promotion Strategy was established in December 2004. Japan’s basic EO strategy for the next 10 years involved constructing an integrated Earth observation system (GEOSS) driven by user needs, and securing Japanese autonomy and international leadership and cooperation with the

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countries of Asia and Oceania. Under this concept, the strategy for the priorities to address covered five urgent social needs: global warming, water cycle and management, atmospheric changes, wind and flood damages, and earthquakes and tsunamis. A special commission was set up to develop an annual action plan based on the prioritized strategies (Itatani 2007). 1.2.2 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of

legislation, policies and strategies

Japan launched the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II (ADEOS-II) and operated it from December 2002 to October 2003. The satellite had global coverage capabilities in investigating the causes of global warming. Along with Japan, NASA and CNES were partners in the project. 1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals and those set up by the World Summit on the Information Society, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction

JAXA processes and analyses data collected from a number of instruments on board EO satellites such as the Precipitation Radar mounted on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, which was launched in November 1997 on the H-II rocket, and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E) mounted on the NASA Aqua satellite that was launched in May 2002, as well as other satellites to provide data for researchers and users. Moreover, JAXA implements research and development programmes based on data obtained from the Greenhouse Gas Observing Satellite (GOSAT), the Global Precipitation Measurement / Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (GPM/DPR) and others in cooperation with the relevant organizations.

Japan’s Earth Observation Promotion Strategy was developed by the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) in December 2004, consistent with the Framework for a 10-Year Implementation Plan adopted by the Earth Observation Summit II held in Tokyo in April 2004. Furthermore, Japan’s Earth Observation Satellite Development Plan and Data Utilization Strategy was issued by the Special Subcommittee on Earth Observation in SAC in June 2005, consistent with the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 10-Year Implementation Plan adopted by the Earth Observation Summit III held in Brussels in February 2006. Based on the documents mentioned above, Japan currently promotes satellite-based Earth observation as a significant national policy. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

Japan has been actively providing satellite data/information to some developing countries in Asia that are affected by natural disasters, such as the landslide in Leyte Island in the Philippines, the eruption of Mount Merapi, the earthquake in the Java Islands in Indonesia, and flooding in the northern part of Thailand. The data was collected by the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS, also known as “Daichi”), which was designed for mapping, regional observation, disaster monitoring and surveying natural resources, and which was launched in January 2006.

Currently Japan has four launch vehicles, namely the H-IIA (Japan’s main launch vehicle), the H- IIB, the M-V and the GX. 1.5 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving such development goals

In Japan, the Council for Science and Technology Policy plays an important role in the coordination of and cooperation on space technology applications, as well as deciding national policies on science and technology as a government organ. In December 2004, CSTP issued the Basic Strategy of Space Development and Utilization, which covers the following policy items:

• Japan engages to establish cooperation with Asian countries to learn from one another in space technology and relevant applications, considering the necessity and functionality of partner countries;

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• Japan advances the establishment of cooperative relationships in satellite utilization, especially on the basis of existing international cooperation initiatives in the space application field, utilizing the framework of the various international cooperation agreements in the Asian region, which contributes to planning efforts against disasters, for improving quality of life, and other measures, and showing the effectiveness of continuous satellite observations and satellite data analysis;

• Japan accepts trainees and researchers from developing countries to Japanese educational institutions and research agencies for human resources development and capacity-building in regard to space utilization;

• Based on the national policy of international cooperation on space utilization, Japan proposed the establishment of a Disaster Management Support System in the Asia-Pacific Region, the “Sentinel-Asia” project.

Japan is one of 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, China, Mongolia,

Myanmar, the Russian Federation and Thailand, that signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006). 1.6 Plans for future satellite activities and applications associated with natural disaster

monitoring

Since massive natural disasters often occur in the Asian and Pacific region, at the 12th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), organized by Japan in October 2005, Japan proposed a Disaster Management Support System for the Asia-Pacific Region that would establish a satellite application network system for disaster management. The space organizations and the disaster management organizations that attended the session supported the proposal. Presently, 54 agencies from 19 countries, eight international organizations and ESCAP, have participated in this project, named “Sentinel-Asia”. Initial stages of the project started in October 2006 as the first milestone.

Under the MODIS wild fire monitoring stream of the Sentinel-Asia project, Hokkaido University-Japan, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)-Thailand, CRISP-Singapore and CSIRO-Australia provide data to Keio University in Japan to integrate the data from different sources and process it. Following the integration of information, which is produced at Keio University, through Digital Asia, the products are disseminated to the end users for fire fighting purposes via a web interface (Fukuda 2007).

In February 2007, Japan launched a satellite-based alert system, J-Alert, to speed up evacuations if the country is hit by earthquakes, tsunamis or missiles. Authorities, who earlier relied on low-tech ways to spread alerts, will now be able to send instant warnings via sirens when tsunamis, volcanic eruptions or other disasters are imminent. This new system will soon be expanded to warn residents of approaching missiles and earthquakes, which Japanese meteorologists can predict moments before they occur. During the trial phases in Kobe’s Ichikawacho area, alerts were relayed as news and by radio speakers installed in public places, which sounded a hypothetical alert to leave. Four cities and 10 of Japan’s 47 prefectures will initially receive the satellite alert system, which will be expanded to 80 per cent of the country by March 2009 (Terra Daily 2006). 1.7 National spatial information infrastructure

Japan has an active initiative for developing a national spatial data infrastructure. Under the initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Land Agency (NLA) and the Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), serve as the secretariat of the Liaison Committee on geographic information systems (GIS), which consists of 22 related ministries and agencies. Japan’s NSDI model was proposed by the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Promoting Association (NSDIPA) to the national government in 1995. In the same year, the government established the GIS Interagency Coordination Committee to define Japanese NSDI and the work scheduled among 22 related ministries and agencies. Leadership has been taken by the Cabinet Internal Affairs Council. The first three years (1995-1998) were dedicated to the overall design and the division of the work among the 22 related ministries and agencies, and the following three years were for preparation of the work. NSDIPA was established in 1995 to promote the NSDI and its related activities in both public and private sectors and has been acting as an adviser to the government’s activities for the establishment and enhancement of NSDI.

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The Committee took the initiative to develop a long-term plan that includes standardizing basic geographic data, developing the national spatial framework data, and establishing rules concerning use and exchange of data to be provided by both public and private sectors. The standards were drafted by the Committee and finalized at the end of the fiscal year 1998 (March 1999). There are four criteria approved by the government for a data set to be standardized as the framework data: (a) the data set should have socio-economic importance; (b) it should be freely accessible; (c) the quality of the data must be reliable; and (d) it must be updated on a regular basis.

Basically, the Japanese NSDI was adopted from the United States model. In this sense, definitions for the establishment of the Framework and Clearinghouse with Metadata definition have been worked out. The establishment of the clearinghouse is being considered in the government. Prototype clearinghouse nodes have been established in some agencies, including the National Land Agency and the Geographical Survey Institute. The spatial data is being made available through the Spatial Data Clearinghouse.

Gaining access to data depends on existing laws and regulations related to individual maps, records and data. General rules concerning the government’s information disclosure/distribution on a digital basis will be developed through discussions concerning the “e-Government” by the Management and Administration Agency. Data distribution rules related to GIS are discussed in the government liaison committee on GIS, and the outcomes are incorporated into the government plan to develop NSDI. NLA has initiated a research project by organizing an expert group to investigate GIS-related legal issues, including personal data protection, rules, terms, fees, copyright of electrical records, and commercial use of government information. The spatial data collected by the government are publicly available through the Clearing House; however, some data have restricted access.

Ideally, framework data for a geographic area will be developed, maintained, and integrated by organizations that produce and make use of data for that area. Virtually all spatial data producers, especially those that are in charge of the framework data items to be approved by the government, are invited to join the effort. Currently, agencies like the Geographical Survey Institute and the National Census Bureau are developing and providing spatial data based on their mandated tasks. Some local governments are also disseminating their spatial data, and members of the private sector have been developing spatial data for their businesses. In Japan, residential maps and car navigation data are two of the most successful businesses related to spatial data development. The mechanism for the coordination of data collection is now under discussion in the government.

The unique character of the Japanese NSDI is that government agencies are not the only units collecting and coordinating spatial data, but the private sector is as well. Utilities like power, telecommunications and gas also participate in providing some kind of spatial data that has been collected and maintained for their own purposes.

Currently, the pricing policy of spatial data depends on each data provider. In the case of private industry involvement, charges will occur for the use of value-added spatial data service.

In Japan, private commercial firms are also involved in helping to build the NSDI. Commercial involvement means spatial data is defined as a commodity. In this sense geo-referenced accurate data and 3-D data have a growing future in the Japanese market. In particular, car navigation systems (already more than 5 million sets have been sold) and intelligent transport systems (ITS) will demand more and more precise spatial data series.

Personal information used in spatial data sets is protected by individual laws, regulations and guidelines; therefore, privacy-related data will not be made publicly available. A privacy policy for GIS-specific information is under discussion.

In Japan, in one hand, GIS-related activities are recognized as one of the major tasks in the context of promotion of “e-Government”. On the other hand, spatial data distribution as part of NSDI is in the discretion of each organization possessing it.

Funds have been allocated for NSDI research, including standardization, pilot studies with local governments, and data integration through distributed networks. Other funds are directed to develop spatial framework data as a precursor to the future national spatial framework data. Various funds are allocated to GIS-related activities, such as research concerning standardization of NSDI, data capture, development of

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applications, and technological research and development related to GIS. For example, in 1998 about US$150 million was budgeted and approved for this purpose (SIE 1998d; GIS Development 2004c). 1.8 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

Between 1997 and 2006, more than 1,000 professionals, from 27 Asia-Pacific countries, were trained by JAXA. Capacity-building activities in the region are specified as one of the priority activities of JAXA for the next 10 years. 1.9 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Japan is a member

International organizations of which Japan is a member include the following:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Applications (ASEAN-SCOSA); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

1.10 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

Figure 5. Space-related organizations in Japan

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2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

Japan has been actively involved in the development of EO satellites, mainly for scientific purposes. Among those is the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, launched in 1997 and still active. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E) has been operational since its launch in 2002. The Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) was launched in 2006, and images received are used particularly for disaster management. The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) is planned for launch in 2008, a joint project between JAXA, the Ministry of Environment and National Institute for Environmental Studies. Its main objectives are to observe CO2 and CH4 column density at 100-1,000-km spatial scale (with mechanical scanning) and to reduce by half the subcontinental-scale CO2 annual flux estimation errors (Itatani 2007). The Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM) is planned to be launched in 2010, and the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) / Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar is planned for 2013. 2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

In order to contribute to the World Weather Watch (WWW) Programme, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has been operating a geostationary meteorological satellite, the Multi-functional Transport Satellite-1R (MTSAT-1R or Himawari-6), which was launched in February 2005, covering East Asia and Western Pacific regions at 140° East above the equator. The second satellite in the series, the MTSAT-2 (or Himawari-7), was launched in February 2006, and since September 2006 has been on standby above the equator at 145° East. The MTSAT series is a successor to the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) series that had been in operation since 1977. 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

2.3.1 Earth observation satellite receiving facilities

(a) Earth Observation Centre (EOC) of JAXA (since October 1978): At EOC, data are received daily from several Earth observation satellites, such as TRMM, Aqua, MOS-1 (or Momo), JERS-1 and ALOS, and are processed and recorded into various media such as CD-ROMs and 8-mm tapes. EOC provides information and space information products to end users and researchers both inside and outside Japan. The Centre is in close cooperation with international partners such as NASA and CNES.

(b) Earth Observation Research Centre (EORC) of JAXA (since April 1995): The main activities of the Centre are analysis of satellite data and processing; research on Earth observation instrumentation; development and operation of the ground systems for Earth-observing satellites; and cooperation with domestic and foreign institutions. 2.3.2 Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

The Japan Meteorological Agency is responsible for receiving and processing data from meteorological satellites, such as the Multi-functional Transport Satellite-1R (MTSAT-1R). In addition to the direct broadcast via satellite since 2002, JMA has continuously provided satellite imagery through the Internet to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) that are registered with JMA. 3. Satellite communications systems

3.1 Private sector-operated communication satellite resources and services

In Japan the following communication satellites are operated by the private sector: JCSAT-1B; JCSAT-2A; JCSAT-3; JCSAT-4A; JCSAT-5A; N-STAR-B; N-SAT-110 (JCSAT-110); Superbird-A; Superbird-B2; Superbird-C; N-SAT-110 (SUPERBIRD-D) and N-Star C/D.

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3.2 Development-oriented information and communication technology programmes, services and applications

JAXA has four major programmes in the satellite communications field: (a) The Engineering Test Satellite-VIII (ETS-VIII) project, (b) the Wideband InterNetworking Engineering Test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS) project, (c) the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS) project, in the inter-satellite communication field, and (d) the Data Relay Test Satellite (DRTS) project. 4. Other space application programmes

Besides Earth observation and meteorological satellites, Japan has launched several scientific satellites. Among them, the 20th Science Mission Satellite (MUSES-C, or “Hayabusa”) was launched by M-V rocket No. 5 in May 2003 to perform an engineering test for a mission to take rock samples from an asteroid and bring them back. The 23rd Science Mission Satellite (ASTRO-E II, or “Suzaku”) was launched by M-V rocket No. 6 in July 2005 for the purpose of observing X-rays emitted from active galactic cores and galactic clusters, in order to investigate the structure and evolution of the universe. The 21st Science Mission Satellite (Astro-F, “Akari”) was launched by M-V rocket No. 8 in February 2006 for the purpose of the elucidation of the process of formation and evolution of galaxies, stars and planets, with infrared observation.

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12. MALAYSIA The following summary has been compiled from information available to ESCAP at the time of the compilation. 1. National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology

applications National Focal Point for RESAP:

Ms Mazlan Othman Director General, National Space Agency Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Paras 5, Block 2, Menara PjH, Presint 2 62100 Putrajaya, Malaysia Fax: +6(03) 8888 3478, +6012-2335898 Tel.: +6(03) 8888 8668 Email: mazlan@angkasa.gov.my

2. National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

In the space technology field, Malaysia is seeking collaboration in several Malaysian initiatives covering a wide range of areas.

(a) RazakSAT: RazakSAT is a small LEO satellite with a medium-sized aperture camera (RazakSATTM), which will be able to provide specific and timely data for its users in Malaysia, as well as being able to cater to the needs of countries located on the equatorial belt. Its electro-optical payload is a medium-sized aperture “push-broom” camera (MAC), a camera with five linear detectors (one panchromatic, four multi-spectral). The RazakSATTM satellite will be operated through its ground segment in Malaysia, consisting of a Mission Control Station (MCS) and Image Receiving and Processing Station (IRPS). Malaysian Astronautics Technology Sdn. Bhd (ATSB) engineers are operators at the MCS and they will execute RazakSATTM's mission plan, command generation and telemetry receiving, archiving and analysis. The IRPS will receive and archive images for post-processing and distribution to the users.

(b) Tsunami Early Warning System: The Tsunami Early Warning System provides real-time, continuous monitoring of earthquakes and tsunamis on a 24/7 basis. The system issues information, advisory notices, early warning, and warning on the occurrence of earthquakes and tsunamis that threaten the security and safety of a country. It will be an integral part of the regional and global tsunami warning systems coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (IOC), UNESCO. The first tsunami buoy has been placed in the Andaman Sea off Rondo Island, Indonesia, and the second one is at Pulau Layang-Layang, South China Sea. The third buoy will be deployed east of Sabah.

(c) National Disaster Data and Information Management (NADDI): NADDI was developed with the objective of establishing a central system for collecting, processing, analysing, storing and disseminating value-added data and information products to support the National Security Division of the Prime Minister's Department and relevant agencies in the management of major disasters. The system consists of three components: (a) early warning, (b) detection and monitoring and (c) mitigation and relief.

NADDI currently focuses on the management of five major natural disasters: floods, forest fires, landslides, oil spills, and hot installations.

(d) South-East Asia Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS): In 1997-1998, extensive forest fires in an ASEAN country caused widespread haze in South-East Asia. This significantly affected the tourism industry, the health of the population and the environment. The total loss was estimated to be US$9 billion. In response to this environmental disaster, South-East Asia’s environment ministers

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initiated a Regional Haze Action Plan.

As part of this Action Plan, a monitoring and warning system for forest/vegetation fires needs to be developed and implemented. Adopted from the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System, the FDRS was subsequently developed and implemented. The FDRS is a system that monitors forest/vegetation fire risks and supplies information that assists in fire management. The products of FDRS can be used to predict fire behaviour and can be used as a guide to policy makers in developing actions to protect life, property and the environment.

The meteorological variables used (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and wind speed) are those measured at meteorological stations throughout the South-East Asian region, and they are made available on the Global Telecommunication System (GTS).

(e) Langkawi National Observatory (LNO): Malaysia is planning to develop the LNO to serve local and international space scientists and to contribute the development of space science knowledge in Malaysia. Among the major objectives are (a) to develop and enhance the Malaysians understanding of space science, (b) to perform astronomy or astrophysics research more deeply and systematically with complete infrastructure, (c) to enhance the awareness of science, technology and innovation to develop a creative and innovative culture, and (d) to make the LNO as a part of an international cooperation network in astronomy and solar physics research.

(f) Malaysian Space Centre: The development of the Malaysian Space Centre began towards the end of 2004. The Centre is situated in a 400-acre plot in Sungai Lang, Banting, Selangor. The first phase involved the development of the Mission Operations Centre (MOC) and was completed on 5 May 2005. The function of the MOC is to control and maintain satellite operations, so it is equipped with communications equipment capable of communicating with the satellites launched into lower orbits and middle orbits (LEO and MEO) (Subari, 2007). 3. National spatial information infrastructure

In Malaysia, the National Infrastructure for Land Information System (NaLIS) Coordinating Committee is the leading national organization for coordination and development of the national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI).

The primary types of spatial digital data being made available are geodetic, cadastral and topographic, which are being produced by the Department of Survey and Mapping (DSMM).

Access to spatial data is being provided through the NaLIS Clearinghouse nodes, similar to the United States NSDI model. However, the NaLIS Coordinating Committee is also studying other models and the possibility of adopting them for Malaysia.

The Fees and Royalties (Survey Data and Digital Mapping) Order 1997 was gazetted by the Government of Malaysia in February 1997. The Order provided copyright protection for all forms of digital survey and mapping data, as well as regulated the fees and royalties chargeable by the government.

The National Mapping and Spatial Data Committee (NMSDC) is tasked with the coordination of spatial data acquisition. This committee, headed by the DSMM, comprises various land-related departments and agencies, such as the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry, and Geological Survey at both the state and the federal level, the National Remote Sensing Centre, and relevant academic institutions.

As the NSDI is still in the early stage of its implementation, no specific cost structure has yet been developed on spatial data made available through the infrastructure. However, the Fees and Royalties Order 1997 will serve as a basis in determining the cost of spatial data. It was recommended at the NaLIS Convention held in September 1997 that NSDI policy makers quickly issue guidelines regarding pricing, copyright, custodianship, confidentiality, security and funding.

The NaLIS Convention 1997 recommended that the government continue to be the custodian of NaLIS and its assets, while encouraging the private sector to participate in the development of the NSDI, the adding of value to products and services, the dissemination of data and information, and the promotion of the NSDI.

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A decision has yet to be reached on the data sets that will be made available to the public without any licensing or intellectual property restrictions. The Environment and Land Resources Management Technical Committee set up by the NMSDC has been given the task of determining the fundamental data set that is required for national land resources management and planning (GIS Development 2004d). 4. Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Malaysia between 1997 and 2006

The 28th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) will be held from 12 to 16 November 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference would be jointly organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES), the Malaysian Remote Sensing Society (MRSS) and the Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS). The conference is aimed at further promoting the applications of remote sensing, GIS, GPS and other related digital mapping technologies in Malaysia and Asia (MACRES 2007). 5. Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Malaysia is a member

Listed below are international organizations of which Malaysia is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Application (ASEAN-SCOSA); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

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13. MONGOLIA Responding agency:

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Ministry for Nature and the Environment. 1. National space programmes and activities National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Sodov Khudulmur Director, National Remote Sensing Centre Ministry for Nature and the Environment Khudaldanny Street 5 Ulaanbaatar 11, Mongolia Fax: +976-11-321-401, +976-11-329-968 Tel.: +976-11-329984 Email: mtt@magicnet.mn, osm_infor@mongol.net

1.1 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.1.1 General information on national space activities

It is already more than 30 years since Mongolia started to use satellite images and pictures taken from space. In 1970 the first receiving station was established, for data received from TIROS series satellites, which were used for meteorological services. Also at that time, Mongolian environmental scientists used pictures taken from space for the production of thematic maps.

On 22 March 1981 Mongolian cosmonaut J. Gurragchaa made a flight into space in a Soviet-made space vehicle, an historic event for Mongolia. Pictures of Mongolia that he took were also very important data source for Mongolia’s scientists. In the mid-1980s Mongolia started to use digital Earth observation data for environmental and geological studies; this was beginning of a new stage for development of remote sensing in Mongolia. During that time Mongolia established its first NOAA HRPT receiving station (1987); the first digital image processing system and prototype of GIS were introduced; and more importantly, Mongolia had its first national remote sensing specialists (M. Ganzorig, M. Saandar, M. Badarch, Ts. Adyasuren, R. Oyun). This was also the time that several important centres were established: (a) the Remote Sensing Laboratory, in the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, (b) the Geological Information Centre, in the Ministry of Geology and Mining, and (c) the Satellite Meteorological Centre, in Meteorological Services; those were the country’s first specialized organizations on the use of Earth observation data. But the development of remote sensing was nonetheless limited because of the high cost of image processing systems, equipment and data, the lack of computer knowledge and language proficiency, and the difficulty of educating students in remote sensing.

The early 1990s saw drastic changes in the political scheme of the world. It was the beginning of new era for peaceful uses of outer space, the use of space applications for socio-economic development, and cooperation among the countries of the world. In the beginning of 1990, the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the Mongolian Association on Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry were established, making it possible to provide international cooperation at governmental and non-governmental levels. Mongolia organized the thirteenth Asian Remote Sensing Conference in 1992, and the fifth Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum in 1998. In the last 15 years, about 60 specialists attended postgraduate and master-level training in India, more than 20 in the Netherlands, and about 10 others in countries like Thailand and China, and many others participated in short-term courses in developed countries. Approximately 10 scientists have earned doctoral degrees. In 1994, ESCAP began the Regional Space Applications Programme (RESAP), which had a particularly important impact on international cooperation and capacity-building. During the 1990s many cooperation activities and projects were implemented; for example, NRSC signed an agreement with NASA on 1-km AVHRR data collection and established a new receiving station; the Remote Sensing Laboratory of MAS implemented a project with the

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German Aerospace Centre on collection of ERS data over Mongolia and Siberia and established a mobile receiving station; and the Geological Information Centre implemented a project with SPOT on a geographic information system. There were several other projects, as well, which had remote sensing and GIS components. 1.1.2 Current situation

Today in Mongolia, remote sensing is widely used in sectors such as environment, geology and mining, and land relations. Hundreds of mining companies are operating in Mongolia, and the larger ones, especially companies with foreign investment, have remote sensing and GIS units, in which Earth observation data are used extensively. In addition, the Geological Information Centre is producing 1:50,000-scale geological maps using Landsat and SPOT images. Around 20 companies are working in the field of geodesy and cartography; all of them are using modern, high-accuracy positioning systems, and most of them use satellite and aerial images for their activities. The Agency of Land Affairs, Geodesy and Cartography, Department of Mining Cadastre, and the Land Department of the Ulaanbaatar city administration have remote sensing and GIS units. In the environmental sector, the principal fields using Earth observation data include meteorology, natural resource mapping, environmental impact assessment, land cover change studies, and natural hazard monitoring.

International cooperation in the fields of remotes sensing and GIS is growing extensively. Mongolia is participating as much as possible in the work of RESAP, APRSAF and AP-MCSTA. Mongolia became a member of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) and it will give the country broad opportunities for international cooperation. The Mongolian Society on Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry provides broad international activities; one example of its work is the twenty-seventh ACRS. Beside this, other organizations, such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Industry (Geology and Mining), Agency of Land Affairs, Geodesy and Cartography, Disaster Management Agency, Ministry for Nature and Environment, and the State Inspection Agency, are also working actively in international projects. For example, in 2007, the Ministry for Nature and Environment will open the National Geoinformation Centre for Natural Resource Management, which is funded by the Netherlands. The framework of this project includes the installation of a MODIS receiving station, and users will have new possibilities for developing various applications and research studies using 250-m-resolution MODIS data.

During the last few years the universities and colleges have been directing their attention to education in remote sensing and GIS. The Mongolian State University, University of Science and Technology, and University of Agriculture established laboratories for training and research in those areas. Some colleges include training in remote sensing and GIS in their educational programmes. In 2006, Mongolian State University (MSU), UNESCO, the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC) in the Netherlands, and Clark University, in Massachusetts, jointly established a new training centre in MSU. The results of those activities enable the country to prepare specialists. These are only a few of the needs and possibilities for cooperation with donor countries and international organizations. 1.2 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Through international cooperation, the first Mongolian Permanent Reference Station, which station receives data from both GPS and GLONASS satellites, was established in Ulaanbaatar in August 2000. The calibration laboratory is equipped with Sokkia equipment from Japan. Mongolia also participates in global mapping as a C-level participant (SIE 2000a).

Mongolia is one of the seven recipients of FengyunCast user reception systems in March 2006 and attended the FengyunCast user training workshop in July 2006 (Zheng et al. 2007).

Under the auspices of AP-MCSTA, multilateral cooperation in space technology and its applications in the Asian and Pacific region have been carried out progressively. Along with Bangladesh, China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, Mongolia participated in the Small Multi-mission Satellite programme, which is expected to be

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launched in 2007. Moreover, initial success has been achieved in the expansion of applications of space technology in remote sensing, disaster mitigation, environmental protection and other fields (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005, 33).

On 28 October 2005, at the signing ceremony of the APSCO Convention, along with Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand, the Government of Mongolia also participated in the Convention and became a member (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005, 2).

Mongolia is one of the 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, China, Japan, Myanmar, the Russian Federation and Thailand, that signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006). 1.3 National policies regarding the private sector for provision of space application

services, with emphasis on development-oriented services

The government established the Information Communication Technology Agency roughly three years ago by giving special attention to information technology for development. Following establishment of the agency, the government launched two major programmes, namely “Computer to everyone” and “Internet to every home”. Those programmes are now progressing successfully. 1.4 National spatial information infrastructure

In Mongolia, the Agency of Land Administration, Geodesy and Cartography (ALAGAC) is the leading national organization for coordination and development of national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI).

In Mongolia the core framework data themes being developed are geodetic control, elevation and digital imagery, government bodies, land ownership, topographic maps, geology, transportation and hydrography. These data sets will provide a current base on which to collect, register or integrate other information. However, most of the data are in analogue form and need to be digitized.

The National Spatial Information Infrastructure of Mongolia consists of nationwide 1:100,000-scale topographic maps, aerial photo archive, and thematic maps at 1:1,000,000 scale. Mongolia also has geological and forest management maps at 1:50,000 scale. These maps currently do not cover the whole country; however, the Geological Information Centre and Forest Management Centre are working on completion of the full sets. There are also various other thematic maps at different scales, which do not cover the whole territory; those maps are illustrated in the national atlas. There are ongoing activities on development of the National Spatial Information Infrastructure through ALAGAC. For instance, ALAGAC is implementing projects on establishment of a digital topographic map database and land cadastral database. Many private companies are involved in this activity. In addition, the Ministry for Nature and Environment, with funding from the Government of the Netherlands, initiated the “National Geoinformation Centre for Natural Resource Management” project, whose main objectives are the development of a framework on national geoinformation and national geoinformation standards.

Almost all spatial data collected by national agencies in support of government needs are available in the public domain with no restrictions, and the data is supplied by government agencies at the cost of dissemination in most instances, except some large-scale topographic maps and coordinates of National Geodetic Network points.

Government agencies at different levels and the private sector generate and maintain spatial data in one standard, which is approved by the government. But government agencies have to check the private sector’s work.

All spatial data are subject to numerous privacy statutes and the laws of the Mongolian People’s Republic and the various states.

In Mongolia, the laws or formal orders of any legislative or executive branches of government do not explicitly recognize the need to establish or further develop the NSDI. However,

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the setting is different from that in other countries. For example, the State Administration of Geodesy and Cartography (SAGC) is responsible for surveying and mapping under the law “Geodetic and Cartographic Activities in Mongolia”, and ALAGAC is responsible for land management under the “Land Law”. Similarly, other agencies are responsible for their duties and purposes under specific laws (SIE 2000a). 1.5 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

Several universities, particularly Mongolian State University, the University of Science and Technology, and the University of Agriculture established remote sensing and GIS laboratories for training and research. Some colleges have RS/GIS training curriculum in their educational programmes. In 2005, UNESCO, ITC and Clark University jointly established new training centre in MSU for remote sensing and GIS education, despite the fact that Mongolia still does not have the capacity to educate professionals for an advanced degree.

Besides, Mongolia has several colleges that specialize in information and communication technology, and most universities have schools for IT education. Some colleges benefit from foreign investments, the most popular ones being the School of Computer Management and the School of Communication and Information Technology, which belong to the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. Khuree College, with investment and cooperation from the Republic of Korea, is a good environment for ICT education. All those schools teach in the Mongolian language, so international students need to attend Mongolian language courses first. The only college that has all the courses in English is Mongolian International University, established with investment from the Republic of Korea. It has an information technology branch, and approximately 30 per cent of the students are from abroad. 1.6 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Mongolia between 1997 and 2006

The First Disaster Management Training Programme Country Workshop was organized by MNE and UNEP, 5-7 May 1997, Ulaanbaatar.

The fifth Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum was held in 1998. NRSC of Mongolia, NASDA of Japan, and the APRSAF secretariat were the organizers.

The ESCAP Dialogue Forum on Space Technology Applications was held in 1998 in Ulaanbaatar. The NRSC and ESCAP secretariat were the organizers.

Mongolia organized the third Workshop of Working Group 1 of PCGIAP in Ulaanbaatar from 16 to 18 August 2000 (SIE 2000a).

The First International Conference on Land Cover/Land Use Study Using Remote Sensing/GIS, June 2004 in Ulaanbaatar, was organized by the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society of Mongolia and NRSC.

The first International Workshop on National Spatial Data Infrastructure of Mongolia, was held on 8-9 September 2004, in Ulaanbaatar. The main objective of this workshop was to assess the current situation of NSDI in Mongolia in relation to GSDI activities and to make a work plan to carry out activities at the local level. Mongolia was one of the awardees of the GSDI Associations 2004 GSDI Small Grant Programme.

The twenty-seventh Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS2006) was held on 9-13 October 2006 in Ulaanbaatar. The event was organized by the Mongolian Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and was attended by 380 persons from 22 countries/areas, including Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Netherlands, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan Province of China, Thailand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, and Viet Nam. (For more information please refer to <www.acrs2006.ub.mn>.)

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1.7 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which Mongolia is a member

International organizations of which Mongolia is a member include the following:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP),

since 1994; • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), since 1997; • Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA),

since 1997; • Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), since2005; • International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), since 1994; • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

1.8 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

Government organizations

Information & Communication Agency

National Remote Sensing Center, Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Forest research Center, Institute of Water policy, Institute of Geoecology

Non government organizations

Ministry of Science, Education & Culture

Ministry for Nature & Environment

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Ministry of Food & Agriculture

Agency of Land relations, geodesy & cartography

Ministry of Road and Constructions

Several scientific institutions, Universities and colleges

Geological information center, Authority of Mining and cadastr

Central Statistical Biuro

5 telecommunication operators

Number of companies on geodesy & cartography

7 internet service providers

Environmental impact assessment companies

3 companies on natural resource mapping

3 NGO’s on RS and GIS 4 NGO’s on Comm.

Figure 6. National organizational structure on space technology applications in Mongolia

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2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

As one of the eight signatory countries of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA) Convention, signed in Beijing on 28 October 2005, Mongolia received meteorological satellite data reception equipment from China in March 2006. The equipment, based on Digital Video Broadcasting via Satellite (DVB-S) technology, would provide real-time data collected by China’s Fengyun meteorological satellite series. The move aims to pool the meteorological information in the Asia-Pacific region and help to reduce natural disasters and promote social and economic prosperity in the region (People’s Daily Online 2006).

This user reception system of FengyunCast, a global network of satellite-based data dissemination systems, provides environmental data to a world-wide user community. In July 2006, Mongolia attended the FengyunCast user training workshop, which was organized and hosted by CMA for those countries that received user reception systems (Zheng et al. 2007). 2.2 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

2.2.1 Earth observation satellite receiving facilities

Since 1987, Mongolia has been receiving data from NASA’s OrbView-2 (SeaWIFS) and NOAA satellites through a ground receiving station in Ulaanbaatar (latitude: 47.9206; longitude: 106.912063; elevation: 4199.99 m). Several products on wildfire, land cover, snow cover, vegetation cover (NDVI), drought, biomass, clouds, dust and sand storms are produced by utilizing satellite information.

Mongolia also plans to have another ground receiving station in Ulaanbaatar (same coordinates) to receive MODIS data from Terra (EOS AM) and Aqua (EOS PM) satellites. Standard products utilizing MODIS data will be developed for some applications on hazard monitoring. 2.2.2 Meteorological satellite receiving facilities

Ground receiving stations, some already established and some planned, are used for receiving meteorological satellite data.

Mongolia is one of the seven recipients of FengyunCast user reception systems in March 2006 and attended the FengyunCast user training workshop in July 2006 (Zheng et al. 2007). 3. Satellite communications systems

3.1 Satellite communications infrastructure

For a country like Mongolia, with its vast territory, satellite communications should play an important role. However, for public telephone services, Mongolia’s communication infrastructure is based on microwave and copper lines. Now the government is implementing a project on replacement of existing lines with fibre optic cables.

At present, Mongolia is using satellite communication in four major areas:

(a) Television broadcasting and cable television network: The Government of Mongolia leases bandwidth on a transponder owned by Intelsat for national television broadcasting to rural areas. In 2005, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) started a project to broadcast the programs of five private television companies using the same already leased bandwidth. The project has been implemented successfully, and now almost all provincial centres and many county centres are able to receive broadcasts of those five television companies, including National Public Television. In Mongolia, more than 10 cable television providers are operating, half of them in rural areas.

(b) International connection for telephone services: Mongolia Telecom has a connection via satellite from Intersputnik and Intelsat for international telephone services. Other telephone service

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operators are also using this connection. In Mongolia, there are three mobile communication service providers, namely Mobicom, Skytel and Unitel.

(c) Internet service providers: Mongolia has seven ISPs, namely Magicnet, Micom, Mobinet, Railcom, Sky C & C, MCS and Sansarnet. They all are using bandwidth from Intelsat for international connection. The total bandwidth is about 70 MHz.

(d) VSAT network for dedicated purposes: Mongolia is operating at least four separate VSAT networks for dedicated purposes. They are (a) VSAT for civil aviation services, owned by Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority, (b) VSAT for meteorological and environmental network, owned by the Hydromet agency, (c) VSAT for banking, owned by Khaan Bank and Incomnet Co., Ltd., and (d) VSAT for education, owned by the Ministry of Science, Education and Culture and MCS Co., Ltd. The total bandwidth for these networks is approximately 10 Mhz; the first three use a transponder from Intelsat and the last one uses a transponder from Asiasat. 3.2 National policies on development-oriented ICT application programmes, such as

education and training, health, rural communications, rural information service, community information centres, science and technology knowledge, and the role of satellite communication in such programmes

The Government of Mongolia is giving high priority to communication infrastructure development in rural areas. Because of the low population, vast territory and low density of population in county centres, it is not economically feasible for the telecommunication companies to provide their own backbones to rural areas. Important projects are fibre optic backbone establishment and multi-channel television broadcasting to rural centres. Two additional, ongoing projects include “Information technology for rural health services” and “Improvement of county-level communication facilities”. Currently, already half of the total 340 county centres have mobile communication services. 4. Satellite-based positioning programmes

The Agency of Land Affairs, Geodesy and Cartography has started a project on satellite positioning-based monitoring of the geodetic nodes. The agency has established three nodes in Ulaanbaatar and has started 24-hour monitoring.

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14. MYANMAR Responding agency:

Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ministry of Transport. 1. National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology

applications National Focal Point for RESAP:

U Tun Lwin Director General Department of Meteorology and Hydrology Office No. 5, Ministry of Transport Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar Fax: +95-1-665-944 or +95-67-411449 Email: dg.dmh@mptmail.net.mm

2. National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Myanmar is one of the 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, China, Japan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Thailand, that signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006). 3. Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Myanmar is a member

Listed below are international organizations of which Myanmar is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

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15. NEPAL The following summary has been compiled from information available to ESCAP at the time of the compilation. 1. National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology

applications National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Dibya Dev Bhatta Director General Department of Forest Research and Survey P.O. Box 3339, Babar Mahal Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: +977-1-4220-159 Tel.: +977-1-4220-493 Email: dfrs@ecomail.com.np, foresc@wlink.com.np

2. Political commitment and institutional aspects

2.1 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of legislation, policies and strategies

Nepal believes that Earth observation data play an important role in making evidence-based policy decisions, facilitating the formulation of need-based plans and taking precautionary initiatives to save lives and prevent destruction of infrastructure from natural disasters. Ultimately, in the context of reconstruction of post-conflict Nepal, it is expected that the Earth observation data could be optimally used as a fundamental tool for making development activities sustainable (Baral 2007). 2.2 General information on national space activities

The Survey Department of Nepal (SDN) (email: survey@dept.wlink.com.np) is the leading department in the Earth observation sector. Among its responsibilities, it produces and disseminates various kinds of Earth observation information products. The NSDI initiatives have been undertaken by SDN. It is associated with FIG, GSDIA, AARS, ISCGM, PCGIAP, APRSAF, GEO and SNAC (SAARC Networking Arrangement on Cartography, presently chaired by the Director General of the Survey Department of Nepal). SDN has also published Global Map Data about Nepal and is currently working on some mini-projects supported by JAXA in the disaster reduction sector. The Department is making its best effort to support the GEOSS 10-Year implementation plan in Nepal.

The radio programme Hamro Jamin, Hamro Napi is broadcast fortnightly on Radio Nepal to enhance the general public’s awareness of space technology (Baral 2007). 3. National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Nepal became one of the seven recipients of FengyunCast user reception systems in March 2006 and attended the FengyunCast user training workshop in July 2006 (Zheng et al. 2007).

Nepal is one of the 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, China, Japan, Myanmar, the Russian Federation and Thailand, that signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006). 4. National policies regarding the private sector for provision of space application services,

with emphasis on development-oriented services

In Nepal, the Survey Department, the National Mapping Organization of Nepal, Land Use Project, Ministry of Land Reform and Management, Department of Mines and Geology, Department of Forest, Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention, Ministry of Agriculture and

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Cooperatives, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Metropolitan Cities / Municipalities for land resource maps, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are creators of products from Earth observation data. 5. National spatial information infrastructure

In Nepal, the Survey Department of Nepal is the leading national organization for coordination and development of the national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI) (Baral 2007).

The only spatial digital data, which is available through NSDI, is the topographical type. However, there are no technical and organizational mechanisms formulated to make spatial data available through the NSDI (SIE 2000c). 6. Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in Nepal

between 1997 and 2006

The 23rd Asian Conference on Remote Sensing was held 25-29 November 2002 at Birendra International Convention Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was organized by the Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), in collaboration with SDN (Baral 2007). 7. Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Nepal is a member

Listed below are international organizations of which Nepal is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

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16. PAKISTAN The following summary has been compiled from information available to ESCAP at the time of the compilation. 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Arshad Hussain Siraj Director General (Space Applications and Research) Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Sector 28, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Off University Road P.O. Box 8402, Karachi-75270, Pakistan Fax: +92-21-4644928 Tel.: +92-21-4650674 Email: dg.sr@suparco.gov.pk

1.2 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Under the auspices of AP-MCSTA, multilateral cooperation in space technology and its applications in the Asian and Pacific region have been carried out progressively. Along with Bangladesh, China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, Pakistan participated in the Small Multi-mission Satellite programme, which is expected to be launched in 2007. Moreover, initial success has been achieved in the expansion of applications of space technology in remote sensing, disaster mitigation, environmental protection and other fields (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005).

On 28 October 2005, at the signing ceremony of the APSCO Convention, along with Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Peru and Thailand, the Government of Pakistan also participated in the Convention and became a member (Asia-Pacific Space Outlook 2005). 1.3 National spatial information infrastructure

Pakistan, among other Asian countries, is in the process of developing a national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI). The Survey of Pakistan is the leading national organization for coordination and development of national spatial data infrastructure.

Data collection and coordination is performed by the Survey of Pakistan. While SoP is providing topographic database collection at the scale of 1:50,000, other relevant government organizations are providing their databases.

Spatial information and products are sold on a no-profit / no-loss basis.

The role of private commercial firms in the development of NSDI does not carry significant weight. In other words, their contributions to the development of NSDI are limited.

It is primarily government organizations that are participating in the building of the NSDI. Their roles and responsibilities are divided according to the themes dealt with by these organizations. For example, a database regarding the electric power distribution system is under the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and any geological data sets are provided by the Geological Survey of Pakistan (SIE 1998e).

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1.4 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which Pakistan is a member

International organizations of which Pakistan is a member are listed hereunder:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

As one of the eight signatory countries of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA) Convention, signed in Beijing on 28 October 2005, Pakistan received meteorological satellite data reception equipment from China in March 2006. The equipment, based on Digital Video Broadcast via Satellite (DVB-S) technology, provides real-time data collected by China’s Fengyun meteorological satellite series. The move aims to pool the meteorological information in the Asia-Pacific region and help reduce natural disasters and promote social and economic prosperity in the region (People’s Daily Online 2006).

This user reception system of FengyunCast, a global network of satellite-based data dissemination systems, provides environmental data to a world-wide user community. In July 2006, Pakistan attended the FengyunCast user training workshop, which was organized and hosted by CMA for those countries receiving user reception systems (Zheng et al. 2007).

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17. PHILIPPINES Responding agency:

Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD), Department of Science and Technology.

1. National space programmes and activities

National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr. Jose Edgardo L. Aban PCASTRD Senior Science Research Specialist Member of STCC-COSTA Technical Secretariat Department of Science and Technology DOST Building, Gen. Santos Ave. Bicutan, Taguig Metro Manila, Philippines Fax: +63-2-837-3168 Tel.: +63-2-837-7522 Email: jelaban@dost.gov.ph

1.1 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.1.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

The highlight of the First National Congress on Space Technology Applications and Research (NC-STAR), held on 15 November 2005, was the formulation and espousal of an integrated and comprehensive, medium- to long-term space technology research and applications programme, in support of the goals of environmentally sound sustainable development.

The achievements of the Congress are described in more detail in section 1.5 below, “Major achievements in space technology applications”. 1.1.2 The space technology applications roadmap

Prior to NC-STAR , a framework on the various strategies and plans of action for the space technology applications sector was developed that was based on consultations with the duly constituted members of the technical working committee of the National Congress.

The Congress was guided by the overall vision “Building of various indigenous capacities for the development and utilization, application of and research on space science and technologies, and establishment of alliances in space technology applications and research”. Through this vision, the overall roadmap of the space technology applications sector was drawn upon, the main objective of which was to generate strategies and milestone activities, for the effective use of space technologies and their applications in natural resources management, disaster mitigation, and weather forecasting, as well as for communications and internetworking activities, and strategic planning and related priority thrusts/programmes of the government.

The framework has four plans of action, onto which are anchored strategies that will support the realization of these plans:

• Plan of Action I: Development of expert manpower needs, curriculum and educational materials at all levels;

• Plan of Action II: Rehabilitation and improvement of Earth observation and monitoring systems;

• Plan of Action III: Networking among academic institutions and concerned agencies for data access, archiving and analysis;

• Plan of Action IV: Intensification of preparation and dissemination of information understandable by the general public.

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1.2 Implementation plan on construction of the National Common Geo-Spatial Database and establishment of NAMRIA GIS Data Centre and back-up site

1.2.1 The government policy and plan

Computerization in the Government of the Philippines started in the late 1960s. In 1971, the National Computer Centre (NCC) was established, aiming to enhance the capacity of computerization in the government. As it had developed in its own way, the government’s efforts resulted in launching the National Information Technology Plan to develop the information and communication technology industry as well as ICT activities in the public sector in 1994.

Simultaneously, the National Information Technology Council (NITC) was also established as the central policy body on all matters pertaining to ICT. Later, in February 1998, the NITC and the Electric Commerce Promotion Council were merged into the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (ITECC).

In 1997, the government adopted the country’s IT Action Agenda for the 21st century to guide IT development in the country over the next 7-15 years. Subsequently, in line with this, the government formulated the plan for the Philippine Information Infrastructure (PII) to strengthen telecommunication systems and other infrastructure, and it decided to set up the RPWEB to enable the government agencies to connect themselves to the Internet. The e-Commerce Law, which regulates electronic transactions, was also enacted. Three ICT parks, namely the Eastwood Cyber Park in Quezon City, the Northgate Cyber Zone in Alabang, and the Fort Bonifacio - Silicon Alley IT Park in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, are currently being developed.

Under these ICT developments in the Philippines, the government formulated the “Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP): 1999-2004” as a vision of a balanced development for sustainable growth, with the guiding principles of equity, effectiveness and efficiency applied to all concerned institutions. Consistent with objectives and principles set forth in the MTPDP, in July 2000, the Government Information System Plan (GISP) was announced. The GISP aimed to harness the full potentials of ICT to ensure wider public access to government information and the efficient delivery of government services to the public within the first decade of the 21st century. Within five years after the approval of the GISP, the government will set up policies, possible conditions and appropriate institutional structures to allow the full implementation of the GISP. The government agencies will restructure pertinent administrative procedures and processes to respond to the automation of the government agencies’ operation and management. The private sector institutions will also build their own capacity in ICT and provide their services to the private and public sectors.

In line with the development of ICT referred to in the GISP, it is noted that the importance of a Comprehensive Geo-Spatial Database and Information Network in the Philippines, focusing on geographic information systems (GIS), has been stressed. GIS is an information technology to be applied for the conversion, integration, management analysis, query, deployment, and use of geographically referenced information. GIS technology is a very powerful visualization and analysis tool that helps uncover geo-spatial relationships. With GIS technology, it is now possible to link and visualize different databases. Strengthening the GIS activities in the government information system depends on its ability to integrate. 1.2.2 A study for an integrated national physical development plan for the Philippines

C. Virata & Associates, Inc., from August 1996 to March 1997, conducted a study, which was sponsored by the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), currently merged into the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). It aimed to draw up a policy- and action-oriented institutional framework for an Integrated National Physical Development Plan for the Philippines, focusing on the following 10 years (1996-2005). It attempted to apply to the case of the Philippines Japan’s long experiences in implementing the four Integrated National Physical Development Plans – Zenkoku Sogo Kaihatsu Keikaku, or Zenso – over the last thirty years, which would also be useful for developing countries requiring spatial planning for efficient, environment-friendly and well-balanced utilization of the national land.

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The study reviewed the Philippine government’s National Physical Framework Plan, 1993-2022, focusing on its four areas: land use for protection, land use for production, land use for settlements, and the development of infrastructure. In the study, the existing situation of four key areas was first examined, and then crucial issues with respect to physical and land use planning were duly considered, and directions were proposed that would enhance the process and eventual implementation of laws and regulations on land use. 1.2.3 Utilization of data and GIS technology in government departments

GIS in the Philippines started in 1974, and by 1993 an Interagency Task Force on Geographic Information (IATFGI) was initiated, primarily to provide overall direction for GIS activities in the country. In 1986, GIS technology became well known due to introduction of the world’s PC-based GIS activities in the country. Since then, most government departments have adopted the technology.

At present, most government departments are still at the development stage in utilization of GIS technology. One of the major reasons for this is that they have limited digital topographic maps available for utilization as the fundamental geo-spatial database. The topographic maps currently in use were produced by NAMRIA at various scales. The predominant scale is 1:50,000, which covers the entire Philippines, and the next popular scale is 1:10,000 which covers limited urban areas.

As previously mentioned, the Government Information System Plan, which aims at computerizing information and communications of all the government departments and agencies, also stresses the importance of utilization of GIS technology for the reason that it is an information technology to be applied for the conversion, integration, management analysis, query, development, and use of geographically referenced information, and it is very powerful visualization and analysis tool that helps uncover geo-spatial relationships.

The feasibility study addresses the government’s needs related to utilization of GIS technology, and therefore, the project is consistent with the government policy to promote information and communications technology. 1.2.4 Conclusion

The need for establishing a fundamental geo-spatial database to cover the entire Philippines and the government’s policy to promote the utilization of GIS technology has ensured the feasibility of the project. As regards the construction of a national common spatial database, the project is technically feasible if properly qualified consultants are employed and a package of the work is contracted to the qualified contractor. The project is also financially sustainable and economically viable. 1.3 The Philippines National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) framework plan

A National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is a network of digital databases, located throughout a country, that together provide the fundamental data needed to achieve the country’s economic, social human resources development and environmental objectives. It is a national initiative to provide better access to essential and consistent geographic information produced and maintained by different agencies or custodians.

An NSDI consists of several essential elements and steps: (a) establishment of the institutional framework, which defines the policy and administrative arrangements for building, maintaining, accessing and applying the standards and data sets; and (b) formulation and adoption of technical standards and protocols, which define the technical characteristics of the fundamental data sets and enable them to be integrated with other environmental, social and economic data sets, which shall include the following subcomponents: (i) building of the fundamental data sets, which are produced within the institutional framework and fully comply with the technical standards; and (ii) establishment of a National Geographic Information Clearinghouse Network (NGICN) , the means by which the fundamental data sets are made accessible to the community in accordance with policy determined within the institutional framework, and to the technical standards agreed.

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The National Geographic Information Council (NGIC), through NAMRIA, will operate and maintain the NGICN. The components of the Clearinghouse Network include clearinghouse information communities such as agriculture, environment and natural resources sector; infrastructure and utilities sector; lands and surveys sector; and socio-economics sector. It also includes clearinghouse distributed and centralized databases, clearinghouse applications, clearinghouse communications networks, clearinghouse data models, and clearinghouse meta-databases. For this project, the scope will include only the set-up of the clearinghouse network and the customization of meta-databases adapted from international standards. The structure of the NGICN is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7. Clearinghouse backbone network in the Philippines Figure 8 is a representation of the hub or web portal of the National Geographic Information Clearinghouse Network. The nodes of the NGICN shall be the designated custodians of fundamental data sets, although these custodians may designate another data custodian or the NAMRIA to host their site. It will be necessary for each node to establish the appropriate structure and staffing to support its functions as the data custodian of a fundamental data set and the provider of metadata concerning the fundamental data sets under its custodianship in the national directory system. NGIC will support efforts of the network nodes to develop their capability and capacity as data clearinghouse network nodes.

Figure 8. National geographic information clearinghouse portal

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1.4 National and international cooperation

1.4.1 International cooperation

It is recommended that the Philippines be able to express its remote sensing requirements in the framework of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Global Terrestrial Observation System (GTOS), and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). Therefore, proper representation in the regular meetings of the Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) under the aegis of the United Nations and coordination with the said entity must be considered urgently and earnestly.

Earth observation is a subject of international importance. The wide range of remotely sensed data available – as well as the increasing information demands from the environmental sector – requires cooperation at different levels; the exchange of information and methods and guidelines for project formulation.

It is recommended that an international cooperation policy be formed, the main aims of which would be the following:

(a) To facilitate the participation of the Philippines in the definition of regional and international space technology programmes;

(b) To promote the use of remote sensing, geographic information systems, space communications and other space technology applications, to increase environmental knowledge and to encourage sound natural resource management;

(c) To develop and strengthen north-south cooperation and, in particular, to support south-south cooperation through constructive partnerships;

(d) To promote interdisciplinary projects; (e) To enhance and expand the role of regional space technology centres and agencies, thereby

providing a programme to support networks for the exchange of information and expertise. Such a programme would be defined by international coordination;

(f) To balance international cooperation with national policies, and to ensure the quality of project proposals through national-level coordination;

(g) To develop and support national, regional and international programmes for training; in addition, international scientific exchanges, institution twinning, and the development of networks should be promoted;

(h) To support scientists from the Philippines so that they can fully participate in all aspects of future space technology application programmes. 1.4.2 National policy

Notwithstanding the need for international cooperation, coordination at the national level is also required. Recognizing such a need for coordinating roles, the Science and Technology Coordinating Council - Committee on Space Technology Applications (STCC-COSTA) and Research was reconstituted in 1995, from its forerunner, the National Coordinating Committee for Remote Sensing (NCCRS).

It is recommended that national space technology applications policies be formulated and adopted. Such policies should include the following:

(a) They must be based on user needs, but oriented towards national needs; (b) They must be general enough to provide guidelines, but specific enough to fulfil their

objective(s) within a particular time frame; (c) They must address both the short-term and long-term needs of the country; (d) They must stimulate multi-purpose use of space technology applications.

Further, it is recommended that participation by member agencies of STCC-COSTA be revitalized, and institutionalized in agencies which are not yet part of STCC-COSTA.

The Philippines has adopted a pricing policy for remotely sensed data, determining that it should be structured in such a way that different types of users pay different prices. The scientific

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research community, government departments using remote sensing data for planning and implementing sustainable development projects, and members of the private sector using remote sensing data to provide a non-commercial service should be able to obtain data at strongly subsidized prices. 1.5 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals and those set up by the World Summit on the Information Society, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction

Some of the many achievements of the First National Congress on Space Technology Applications and Research are described below:

(a) Participants at the Congress discussed policy matters in relation to effective collaboration and cooperation on space technology development and applications, with particular attention to their effects on such technology applications as satellite remote sensing, satellite meteorology, communications satellites, satellite-based positioning systems, and related GIS technology and space science applications for environment and natural resources management and for development planning.

(b) NC-STAR served as a venue to bring to the fore all issues and problems and to assess the needs of the space technology research and applications sector in the Philippines, and to resolve such issues and problems through the formulation of a cohesive national programme on space technology research and its applications. The venue also came up with an action agenda and flagship priority projects that address specific and immediate needs and problems of the space technology applications and research sector.

(c) The programmes and projects as well as the policies that were developed through NC-STAR are in support of and complementary with the precepts of the National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP).

(d) NC-STAR supported the establishment or strengthening of regional cooperative mechanisms and modalities on space technology applications that are of benefit to the nation, by pooling resources and bringing about self-reliance in this field.

(e) The Congress provided for the effective dissemination of information on important national and international developments in space technology application, with particular emphasis on the implementation of Agenda 21 for environmentally sound and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

(f) NC-STAR provided possible funding mechanisms for space applications projects and on appropriate steps in mobilizing policy-level financial and technical support from participating members, donors and financial institutions for the effective implementation of the programmes identified during the Congress.

(g) The National Congress provided a venue for the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, research institutions and the industrial and private sectors in promoting space technology applications and research for sustainable development of the nation in particular, and of the Asian region as a whole. Participants forged institutional and organizational linkages among local and foreign space organizations and implemented collaborative projects in order to exchange and maximize expertise, technology and resource sharing, through a coordinated and harmonized approach.

(h) NC-STAR endorsed the formation of working groups on various space application themes, reviewed the reports and recommendations of the working groups, and provided policy guidelines for their implementation. 1.6 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) developed a coastal area database and updated regional capabilities in coastal area planning, and it established an information system for

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storage and analysis of spatial and attribute data on coastal resources. It will facilitate planning and management of coastal areas through the application of GIS applied in coastal resources management and planning for the Lingayan Gulf.

Member agencies are now finalizing their GIS training requirements. Various resources persons from these agencies are willing to conduct training to upgrade the GIS capabilities of other agencies.

NAMRIA has developed some GIS applications:

• Tax Mapping/Zoning Information System (TMZIS) for Muntinlupa. It will be modified to make it more applicable to Muntinlupa’s operation. The system aims to strengthen the capabilities of the Municipality of Muntinlupa in land resource planning and management;

• GIS-Assisted Project for Provincial Resource Mapping, which aims to set up a provincial information system that would provide users, in both the public and private sectors, with data analysis capabilities in support of development.

1.7 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology

applications

The Interagency Task Force on Geographic Information (IATFGI) was created on 15 April 1993 by virtue of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Memorandum Order No. 01-93. It is tasked to promote and coordinate the efficient development, management and utilization of geographic information in the country. With the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) as Chairman, and the NSCB as Co-chairman, the IATFGI is composed of the following seven member agencies:

1. Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB); 2. National Statistics Office (NSO); 3. National Computer Centre (NCC); 4. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); 5. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Institute of

Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS); 6. Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM); 7. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

NC-STAR was envisaged as the general instrument for cooperation and coordination in various space technology application initiatives at the national, regional and international levels and for the implementation of the various national programmes that will be drawn up in the context of the Millennium Development Goals, Water Sector Development Strategy and the World Summit on the Information Society. The projects and the linkages that were outlined provided the national mechanism for building the capacity of member agencies to use space technology applications for natural resources accounting, environmental management, disaster monitoring, poverty alleviation and sustainable development planning; in addition, it laid down the framework for execution of the national and regional programmes through a coordinated approach. 1.8 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which the

Philippines is a member

The Asian Info-communications Council (AIC, formerly the Asian ISDN Council) was established on 28 April 1988 as a non-profit and independent organization. The member countries of AIC at the beginning were Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Singapore. China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam joined later.

(a) Earthsat: Earthsat (www.earthsat.com/environ/region) provides infra-red satellite imaging, GIS, agricultural and socio-economic data on the Philippines, usually under contract to the United Nations, national governments, United States government agencies, the World Bank or corporations.

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(b) Environmental and Natural Resources Directory: The ENR Directory is a meta-database of the environment, natural resources, and related information on attribute databases, spatial data sets, projects, bibliographic materials and audio-visual production materials.

(c) Geodata Systems Technologies Inc.: Emerald Ave., Ortigas Centre, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines.

(d) National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA): National mapping and GIS information for the Philippines, with a 1-km AVHRR data downlink and processing centre.

(e) Philippine Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (PSPRS): C/o Certeza Surv. and Aerophoto Syst., Inc., 795 E. de los Santos Ave., Diliman, Quezon City 1100, Philippines. 2. Earth observation satellite applications

2.1 National spatial information infrastructure

For information on the national spatial information infrastructure, please refer to section 1.1.1 above, “National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications”. 2.2 National and/or local policies on public-private partnership in provision of public benefit

oriented products and services

Increased private sector company involvement in remote sensing and GIS will help to stimulate a demand-driven approach for the development of cost-effectiveness and thus achieve greater flexibility than services in the public sector.

The “Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP): 1999-2004” envisions a balanced development for sustainable growth with guiding principles of equity, effectiveness and efficiency applied to all concerned institutions. Consistent with the objectives and principles set forth in the MTPDP, in July 2000, the Government Information System Plan (GISP) was announced. The GISP aimed to harness the full potential of ICT to ensure wider public access to government information and the efficient delivery of the government services to the public within the first decade of the 21st century. Within five years after the approval of the GISP, the government will set up policies, possible conditions and appropriate institutional structures to allow the full implementation of the GISP. The government agencies will restructure pertinent administrative procedures and processes to respond to the automation of the government agencies’ operation and management. The private sector institutions will also build their own capacity of ICT and provide their services to the private and public sectors. 3. Satellite communication applications

While a strong customer of various Western Rim communications services, the Philippines sought during the 1990s to assemble support for a domestically owned GEO communications system. By late 1994, two commercial ventures were attempting to field potentially competing networks by the end of 1996.

Each programme, one led by Philippine Agila Satellite, Inc., and one led by Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation, would employ Western spacecraft equipped with a mix of C-band and Ku-band transponders. On a related front, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company is one of the three principal partners in the ACES network, which provides cellular phone service to parts of Asia (Global Security 2007).

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18. REPUBLIC OF KOREA Responding agencies:

Content provided by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), with contribution from: • Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute (ETRI) • Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA) • Satellite Research Centre, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) is the main space development research institute of the Republic of Korea. It was established in 1989 under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Most of the Korean space programmes have been carried out by KARI, and the history of KARI can be interpreted as that of the Korean space development. National Focal Points for RESAP:

Mr Jung Hee-Kwon Director of Space Technology Cooperation Team Ministry of Science and Technology 9th Floor of Daego Building, 1591-10, Kwanyang-dong Dongan-gu, Anyangsi Kyunggi-do, 427-715 Republic of Korea Tel.: +82-2-509-7800 Fax: +82-2-509-7799 E-mail: hkjung@most.go.kr Mr Rhiu Jeong-Joo Vice President Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) 45 Eoun-dong, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 305-333 Republic of Korea Fax: +82-42-860-2929 Tel.: +82-42-860-2012 E-mail: jjrhiu@kari.re.kr

1.2 General information on national space activities

The Republic of Korea started to participate in the space sector in the early 1990s. The first project was a microsatellite named KITSAT-1 (Uribyul-1), with a mass of 50 kg. With this small scientific project, the Republic of Korea began to step into this sophisticated, lucrative and technology-intensive industry. The Republic of Korea is a latecomer in this particular industry. However, during the last 10 years the Republic of Korea has improved its technological capabilities in satellite development, and it has also made progress in space launch vehicle technology.

According to the space development promotion act enacted in May 2005, the supreme government body for deciding space policy in the Republic of Korea is the National Space Committee, which is placed under the control of the President and is chaired by the Minister of Science and Technology; it consists of 15 committee members, including nine related ministries.

Among the related ministries, the Ministry of Science and Technology is the major government body for formulating and executing the national space development plan. The Ministry of Communication and Information, Ministry of Construction and Transportation, Ministry of

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Commerce, Industry and Trade, Ministry of Ocean and Fishery, and the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) are also included among the related ministries.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is an R&D-oriented university under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Satellite Technology Research Centre (SaTReC) in KAIST was established in 1989 by a small number of professors and students. Korean satellite development was initiated with the KITSAT-1, a scientific microsatellite from SaTReC. The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), a government research institute for research into information technology, is also involved in space technology development, especially in the field of ground stations.

Korean space programmes consist of satellite development, space launch vehicle development, and space applications and space science. Most Korean space programmes are concentrated on satellite programmes, followed by space launch vehicle development. Still, the number of programmes is very limited, and space applications and space science are in the beginning stage. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Korea is trying to focus on the construction of space infrastructure at this stage. However, if the Republic of Korea has more space assets in the near future, the scope of the nation’s space activities will be widening and expanding.

The KOMPSAT programme aims to develop the payloads and buses of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. Through the KOMPSAT programme, the Republic of Korea will acquire space technology that is essential to meet national spacecraft requirements, as well as to obtain a share of the global market.

The Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) programme aims to develop a geostationary satellite performing three categories of missions; COMS will be launched in 2008.

KARI experienced several sounding rocket projects, KSR-1, KSR-2, and KSR-3. The first two rockets used solid propellant, but the latter was a liquid propellant rocket. After those sounding rocket projects, the Republic of Korea started in 2002 to develop the space launch vehicle KSLV-1. The space launch complex is under construction, and it will be completed in 2007.

The vision of the Space Application Centre is to acquire world-class technology in space science and applications through satellite operations for the next generation of multi-mission, Earth observation, and enhancement abilities of space applications.

To propel international cooperation in the Asian and Pacific region for space technology and applications, the Ministry of Science and Technology established three departments relating to space development in the Republic of Korea in 2007: the Space Development Policy Division, Space Technology Development Division, and Space Technology Cooperation Team. The Republic of Korea will contribute to Asia and the Pacific in the fields of space technology and applications to raise the quality of life of the people in this region, based on the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP), initiated by ESCAP. 1.3 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Since 2002, after the sounding rocket projects KSR-1, 2 and 3, the Republic of Korea has been developing a space launch vehicle, KSLV-1, along with a space launch complex, which is under construction and due to be completed in 2007. 1.4 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

The Republic of Korea, in its future GEOSS implementation planning, has identified five priority areas on which to focus: (a) climate and environment changes, (b) health, (c) disaster prevention and mitigation, (d) conservation of biodiversity, and (e) understanding of the water cycle and water management.

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1.5 National spatial information infrastructure

The National GIS Steering Committee is coordinating and leading the national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI) development efforts in the Republic of Korea. So far, the National GIS Steering Committee has taken several steps for the development of the NSDI (GIS Development 2004e).

The topographic maps, several thematic maps, cadastral maps and underground facility maps are the primary types of spatial digital data being made available through the NSDI. Such spatial data can be obtained through the Internet or by purchasing in person. The maps at 1:1,000 scale (or bigger) may not be purchased in person, but are sold to governmental organizations. In 2000, the parliament passed a bill, Law for Distribution and Use of National Geographic Information, in support of spatial data infrastructure development activities in the Republic of Korea. Pricing of the various spatial data is based on the survey of such data.

The private sector contributes to the development of the NSDI by partnering in joint projects with government and private firms. The types and extent of participants involved in building the NSDI are national institutes, academic institutions, researchers and private firms. The constructing of nationwide base maps seems to be the biggest challenge in this lengthy initiative.

At present, under the NSDI scheme, the Republic of Korea is now producing national-level land-cover maps at 1:25,000 scale, and trying to finish digitizing the cadastral maps. In addition, it is developing the national spatial data distribution systems, including the construction of the clearing house.

Further information on the NSDI is obtainable from <www.moct.go.kr/mct_hpg/mcthpg_ge/mcthpf_ge.htm> (SIE 2000d) 1.6 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in the

Republic of Korea between 1997 and 2006

The Republic of Korea has held several international events: (a) the ninth Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF 2003), (b) the United Nations / Republic of Korea Workshop on Space Law: United Nations treaties on outer space: Actions at the national level (2003), (c) the 24th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS, 2003), and (d) the 25th International Geo-science and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS 2005). 1.7 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which the

Republic of Korea is a member

International organizations of which the Republic of Korea is a member include the following:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Application (ASEAN-SCOSA); • International Astronautics Federation(IAF) • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

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1.8 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including sections, major application fields, and linkages

Figure 9. Organization chart of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Figure 10. Organization chart of the Korea Meteorological Agency

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2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.1.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

(a) National Remote Sensing Centre: The Korea Remote Sensing Centre (KRSC) was established by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) on 17 April 2002 as a part of the collaborative project “Public Applications Research of Satellite Data”, which is managed by the Korea Research Council of Public Science and Technology (KORP). KRSC carries out the development of remote sensing techniques and public support of satellite applications through a collaborative research system consisting of various public institutions relevant to remote sensing. By operating the KRSC, the Republic of Korea can avoid duplicate investments and thus can build infrastructure for the public applications of satellite at a minimum of expense.

KRSC will continuously make efforts to intensify cooperation with domestic and foreign institutions and to form horizontal collaboration systems, whose research constituents take their role as a specialized remote sensing centre. Furthermore, KRSC will actively support the practical use of satellite data by local autonomous entities for the purpose of expanding the base of remote sensing and ultimately improving the quality of life in the Republic of Korea.

Among the objectives worth mentioning here are (a) support of public satellite applications by forming a national remote sensing centre, which would provide specialized services in various fields, including satellite data processing, and ocean, land and pole monitoring, (b) the formation of a collaborative research system consisting of various public institutions under KORP, and (c) formulation of policies for public satellite applications based on collaborative research outcomes.

(b) Polar Remote Sensing Centre, Korea Polar Research Institute: Limited accessibility to the polar region has made satellite-derived information indispensable to polar research in recent years. Relevance and roles of the polar region in global changes render the satellite monitoring of polar environments not only advantageous but essential.

The Polar Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) uses a variety of satellite information to observe changes in physical features such as sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves and sea surface temperature in the polar region, and also to monitor the natural environment, including ocean colour, climate, the ozone layer, and atmospheric composition. The Centre will also initiate and foster polar research using satellite information by providing a wide range of data and imagery to user groups.

The objectives of the PRSC are as follows:

• Establish and manage the database of satellite imagery in polar regions; • Disseminate information on new sources of satellite information and its application; • Develop the infrastructure to enhance the utilization of polar satellite information; • Conduct research on polar environmental changes and monitoring; • Support polar research using satellite information.

The major research efforts of the PRSC are the following:

• Collect and archive satellite information in polar regions; • Develop a search system of satellite information from worldwide sources; • Monitor polar environments and detect major changes in polar ecosystems using satellite-

derived information; • Establish and maintain the polar remote sensing centre within the Korea Polar Research

Institute; • Form and support satellite information user groups active in polar research.

(c) Ocean Research Centre: Due to the gigantic expanse of the world’s oceans, they possess

constantly changing characteristics, much more so than the land environment. To be able to effectively understand and manage the oceans, they need to be monitored as one large sea area. Therefore, the application of satellite image data that can be observed periodically in this manner is necessary.

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The Ocean Research Centre applies satellite image data for each type of ocean-related industry, with the target study area being the Republic of Korea’s surrounding sea areas. It is here that the following operations and research are carried out: ocean climate change, ocean resources, coastal environment conservation, and marine safety. The objectives listed below have been established to improve the quality of ocean-related satellite image data information provision and to deduce more rapid and precise research results in the future.

The research objectives of the Ocean Research Centre are as follows:

• Construction of a satellite image information system related to the ocean, and construction and operation of a satellite image information database;

• Long-term monitoring of the ocean environment in relation to climate change; • Development of satellite ocean colour algorithms and their applications; • Monitoring of the environment to improve water quality and the sustainable security of the

ocean’s bio-resources; • Building the foundational applications of satellite data in order to establish an integrated

coastal management system; • Calibration and validation of satellite data with field observation data; • Development of marine safety technology, monitoring of the ocean environment and the

extraction of ocean information (wave, wind, current) by using SAR; • Improvement of ocean research abilities by using ocean satellite data.

The following are the main research activities of the Ocean Research Centre:

• Understanding the present conditions of the Republic of Korea’s coastal areas (tidal flats, aqua-farming facilities, reclamation and the like) using satellite data;

• Software development to carry out oceanic environmental analysis using KOMPSAT-1 data; • Understanding the optical properties and the oceanic environment around the Korean

peninsula, to validate the environmental factors deduced from KOMPSAT-1 data; • Construction of a database system of EOC/OSMI data used in coastal areas and in the ocean

study field; also form a near-real-time system in connection with KARI; • Development of monitoring technology of red tide; • Establishment of a data archiving system and provision of overseas oceanic satellite data

(SeaWiFS and NOAA) for Internet users; • Formation of a user group and development of foundational education system for the

activation of oceanic satellite data; • Detection and monitoring of ships and ship wakes, evaluating wave and wind fields, and

monitoring typhoons with the application of SAR data.

(d) Land Remote Sensing Centre (Korea Institute of Geo-science and Mineral Resources): The Land Remote Sensing Centre has been operating under various other specialized institutes and collaborative structures, with the Korea Institute of Geo-science and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) as the leader. Among many areas where remote sensing technology can be applied, it is on land where it has the broadest and most diverse uses and is directly related to the management and preservation of the land and its resources and the improvement of people’s welfare and quality of life.

The Land Remote Sensing Centre aims to promote the public uses of remotely sensed data in areas such as geology/mineral resources, agriculture/forestry, the use/management of land, and environment/disasters, to construct an infrastructure of services for people, to execute education and publicity, and to develop application technologies. Through achieving these goals, furthermore, it intends to produce economic effects in terms of time, manpower and cost, and to contribute to the establishment of and decisions on national policies. 2.1.2 Current and planned Earth observation satellites

The first project, in the 1990s, was the KITSAT-1 (Uribyul-1) microsatellite, with a mass of 50 kg. During the last 10 years, the Republic of Korea has improved its technological capabilities in satellite development, and has made progress in space launch vehicle technology.

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The KOMPSAT programme aims to develop the payloads and buses of low-Earth-orbit satellites. Through the KOMPSAT programme, the Republic of Korea will acquire space technology that will help it to meet national spacecraft requirements and expand its share of the global market.

KOMPSAT-1, with a resolution of 6 m was launched in 1999 and has continued operations despite its three-year life expectancy. It has provided local and overseas customers useful information on Earth observation.

Following the above-mentioned programme, KOMPSAT-2, with a resolution of 1 m, was successfully launched in 2006, and it will play a pivotal role in the evolution of the space application sector.

Furthermore, the KOMPSAT-3 and 5 are planned for launch in 2010 and 2011 respectively. These satellites are to provide continuous Earth observation after KOMPSAT-1 and 2 and will meet the national needs for GIS, ocean monitoring, land management, and disaster and environment monitoring. 2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.2.1 Meteorological satellite application programmes

Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) started the first multi-purpose geostationary satellite programme, the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite, in cooperation with three government ministries, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Ministry of Information and Communication in 2003. KMA’s duty post in the COMS programme is the Meteorological Satellite Division. Multiple missions of COMS are intended not only as meteorological and oceanic observation for the public welfare but also as in-orbit tests of a developed communication payload to be used for the next geosynchronous satellite.

Regarding the meteorological services, full disk and synoptic observation are performed every 30 and 15 minutes (TBD: to be determined) respectively. Meso-scale observation is also presented by the irregular mode for the local watch of severe weather at 10-minute intervals (TBD). As for the applications of the observations, 16 products, such as cloud motion wind, cloud distribution, Asian dust, fog, and others, are under development by the Korea Meteorological Research Institute using Meteorological Imager (MI) observation data.

KMA remains an end-user of foreign meteorological satellites, mainly MTSAT, NOAA and many other geo and polar satellites. However, after the successful launch of COMS in 2008, KMA will provide COMS meteorological observations and products to the international user community. To fulfil this responsibility, an integrated system of experts and facilities to acquire, process, analyse, and distribute the COMS meteorological observations and products is needed. The Meteorological Satellite Centre under KMA will carry out the meteorological mission of COMS, such as mission control of COMS MI; meteorological data acquisition, processing, analysis, distribution and archiving; research and development for next-generation meteorological satellites; domestic/foreign user services; and planning of the second Korean Meteorological Satellite.

(a) Dual producing of MTSAT-1R HiRID and HRIT satellite data: KMA formally started receiving Japan’s geostationary MTSAT-1R satellite data from 1 July 2005. Its hourly High Resolution Image Data (HiRID) data is received, processed and provided to the public via web-based services; the data include six primary image data, such as VIS, IR, WV, and EIR images, and various applications through dedicated lines and the Internet. These applications include sea surface temperature (SST), dual channel difference (DCD) analysis for detection of yellow sand and fog/low cloud, atmospheric/water vapour motion vectors, and tropical cyclone monitoring by the Dvorak technique. A number of satellite-derived applications support operational products and services to internal and external users through the KMA web services (www.kma.go.kr). The MTSAT-1R receiving system is to be upgraded to the GOES-9 system, and the reception of GOES-9 GVAR data was terminated on 31 July 2005.

JMA is going to disseminate both WEFAX and LRIT data format for SDUS user groups, and both HiRID and HRIT data formats for MDUS user groups in the beginning stage (2005-2007). In order to prepare the JMA data dissemination schedule, KMA also has promoted a pilot development

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project of HRIT receiving and processing system for itself; test operation was completed in early 2006 and its products will be serviced through the KMA web site after September 2006.

(b) Operational analysis of the typhoon intensity in real time: The Republic of Korea is located in the north-western Pacific, where a large number of typhoons happen every year, so the Korea Meteorological Administration has tried to monitor, analyse and forecast the position of typhoon centres and their intensity using observational and numerical data. Because data from geostationary meteorological satellites and polar orbiting satellites are very useful for analysis of position and intensity, KMA receives and uses data from GMS, GOES-9, MTSAT-1R, Aqua and other satellites.

After the termination of GMS-5 and GOES-9, the MTSAT-1R mission replaced GMS-5 and GOES-9. Since 1 July 2005, KMA has operated the receiving and analysis system of HiRID data from MTSAT-1R and is developing a new system for typhoon analysis using the data. This typhoon analysis system utilizes Space Science Engineering Centre / University of Wisconsin-Madison (SSEC/UW-Madison) Advanced Objective Dvorak Technique, which is based on satellite observations.

KMA analysed current intensity (CI) numbers using SDT for typhoons occurring in 2004 and took AODT results from SSEC/UW-Madison for the same events and compared them. The correlation coefficient between the SDT CI number and the AODT CI number is relatively large, that is, 0.85, and the regression coefficient is 0.7861, and the bias is 1.1361 when the level of significance level is 0.95. Although the correlation coefficient is large, the systematic bias is more than 1, so the results of AODT should be corrected. Moreover, because the difference between both indices depends on the CI number, KMA tried to analyse their nonlinearity. KMA used a nonlinear multi-variable time series analysis through a neural network (NN) to find an applicable correction equation of AODT. As expected, obvious nonlinearity appears in nonlinear regression analysis, and there is a distinct difference between both CI numbers when the CI number estimated by AODT is small. Those results show that the systematic bias is relatively large in the initial and extinct stages of a typhoon. Therefore, the cause of the systematic bias has to be known in order to estimate the exact typhoon CI numbers occurring in the north-western Pacific.

For real-time analysis, KMA is developing a new system, including corrected AODT and large amounts of satellite data from MTSAT-1R, QuickSCAT, AMSR-E and others. At present, KMA is using HiRID data from MTSAT-1R as its principal geostationary meteorological satellite data, but HiRID data will be replaced by MTSAT-1R HRIT data.

(c) Observational data by geostationary meteorological satellite: Continuing its efforts to better utilize satellite data, KMA has been producing images in real time for tropical cyclone analysis using geostationary satellite observation data since 2001, and it attempts to analyse the intensity of tropical cyclones using the Dvorak method.

The typhoon intensity index has been analysed for about 20 typhoons every year since 2001. This analysis is performed every three or six hours, from the formation of the typhoon to the decaying stage. The central pressure, maximum wind speed, radius of storm, and gale force wind are analysed from the index. These outputs are useful through comparison with the same values from foreign tropical storm centres. To adopt the Dvorak method in operation, KMA set up a software tool named “Satellite Data Display System” (SATDIS), which was originally developed by MSC/JMA and converted to a Korean version in 2001. Also, since 2003, KMA has utilized 3.9-µm channel of GOES-9 and the 3.7-µm channel of MTSAT-1R for the analysis of typhoon intensity. Using GOES-9 and MTISAT-1R data, the microwave channel can provide additional information for fixing the centre and can give critical information when it is difficult to apply the Dvorak method.

Digital image data for Medium-scale Data Utilization Stations (MDUS) are called High Resolution Image Data (HiRID) and will be disseminated via MTSAT-1R in place of stretched visible infrared spin scan radiometer data (S-VISSR) transmissions from GMS-5. MTSAT-1R will be equipped with an infrared sensor at 3.7 microns (IR4), in addition to the infrared sensors (IR1-3) and visible sensors (VIS) on GMS-5. The IR4 channel is effective in detecting low-level cloud/fog at night. The observation data with all the sensors is disseminated by HiRID. Data in all infrared channels (IR1-4) of MTSAT-1R have 1024 (10-bit) quantization levels, which are increased from 256

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(8-bit) levels on GMS-5. The format of the upper 8-bit data of IR 1-3 and VIS data of MTSAT-1R is the same as for S-VISSR data.

By way of history, the first direct broadcast test transmissions to all ground stations in the Asia-Pacific region from MTSAT-1R occurred on 31 May 2005. KMA received its first images on 13 June 2005, by upgrading the GOES-9 receiving system. KMA has operated the receiving and analysing system of MTSAT-1R satellite HiRID data since 1 July 2005, and it terminated the reception of GOES-9 GVAR data on 31 July 2005. KMA currently provides satellite products from MTSAT-1R such as fog and stratus analysis, yellow sand analysis, cloud products, atmospheric motion vectors and the like. 2.2.2 Current and planned meteorological satellites

The Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite programme aims to develop a geostationary satellite performing three categories of missions; COMS will be launched in 2008.

The Meteorological Imager, with five channels (one visible and four infrared), was under contract with ITT Industries in the United States of America as a meteorological payload on COMS; the kick-off meeting was held in June 2005. 2.3 Current and planned meteorological satellite receiving facilities

KMA formally started receiving Japan’s geostationary MTSAT-1R satellite data from 1 July 2005. Its hourly HiRID data is received, processed and provided to the public via web-based services; the data include six primary image data, such as VIS, IR, WV, and EIR images, and various applications through dedicated lines and the Internet. These applications include sea surface temperature (SST), dual channel difference (DCD) analysis for detection of yellow sand and fog/low cloud, atmospheric/water vapour motion vectors, and tropical cyclone monitoring by the Dvorak technique. A number of satellite-derived applications support operational products and services to internal and external users through KMA’s web services (www.kma.go.kr). The MTSAT-1R receiving system is to be upgraded to the GOES-9 system, and the reception of GOES-9 GVAR data was terminated on 31 July 2005.

JMA is going to disseminate both WEFAX and LRIT data format for SDUS user groups, and both HiRID and HRIT data formats for MDUS user groups in the beginning stage (2005-2007). In order to prepare the JMA data dissemination schedule, KMA also has promoted a pilot development project of HRIT receiving and processing system for itself; test operation was completed in early 2006 and its products will be serviced through the KMA web site after September 2006. 3. Other space application programmes

3.1 Satellite-based positioning programmes

The National Global Navigation Satellite System Centre (NGNSSC), launched in KARI, leads the GNSS-related research activities. The principal mission of NGNSSC is to develop the key GNSS technology and the core technology related to multi-function geostationary satellites for satellite navigation.

The European Union's Galileo satellite navigation system, a rival to the reigning Global Positioning System (GPS) of the United States, is expected to be operational in China in 2008. Besides China and India, the Republic of Korea has also joined the Galileo project (GPS Daily 2006c). 3.2 Programmes or projects supported by integrated applications of remote sensing

(including airborne methods), communication, satellite-based positioning, and other space technologies and ICT

The Satellite Technology Research Centre (SaTReC) of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is a university-associated organization mandated to train manpower in the space industry, to undertake research and development in space science, remote sensing and small technology, and to serve as the ESCAP national contact point for satellite technology applications.

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19. RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Responding agency:

Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

The Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) is the country’s state authority in charge of civilian space activities, including regulation of activities, implementation of space policy, and drafting and implementation of the Russian federal space programme. Correspondingly, this Agency covers all issues connected with multisectoral coordination in the space field. The state-owned Russian Satellite Communication Company (RSCC) is the country’s main satellite communication operator, interacting with, among others, private operators and service providers. The Operative Monitoring Centre, established under Roscosmos, is the main provider of satellite imagery from the civilian ERS satellites. Generally, the improvement and harmonization of the multisectoral collaboration in the space field is one of the key tasks of the national space programme. National Focal Points for RESAP:

Mr Yury I. Nosenko Deputy Head Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) 42 Schepkina Street Moscow Russia Federation, GSP6, 107996 Fax: +7-495-688-9063 or +7-495-975-4467 Tel.: +7-495-631-9660

Mr Anatoly E. Shilov Department Director Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) 42 Schepkina Street Moscow Russia Federation, GSP6, 107996 Fax: +7-495-688-9063 or +7-495-975-4467 Tel.: +7-495-631-9130

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications

Space activities in the Russian Federation are carried out in accordance with Russia’s federal space programme in the interests of science, economic development and national security, as well as within the framework of international partnerships and under commercial agreements, with close cooperation between the Federal Space Agency and the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other ministries, agencies and enterprises in the space-rocket industry, as well as domestic and foreign customers and consumers of space information and services. All work concerning space have been conducted under the 1993 federal law “On Space Activity” (with 1996 supplements and amendments), “Foundations of Russian Federation’s Policy in Space Activity till 2010”, “Russian Federal Space Programme till 2015” and other basic legal documents.

State control over space activity, exercised by Roscosmos, allows for effective organization of the work with ministries and agencies – the consumers of space services.

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1.2.2 General information on national space activities

The active satellite constellation is the basis of the space activity, aimed at the solution of major problems in the social and economic sphere, and at the achievement of maximum economic effect: more than 70 per cent of the constellation consists of communication and broadcast satellites (Horizon, Yamal, Express-A, Ekran-M, Bonum-l and Gonets-Dl), as well as resource surveillance, environmental monitoring and weather satellites (Meteor-3M, Monitor-E, Resurs-DK).

In the near future the existing communication and broadcast satellites will gradually be replaced with new-generation satellites. The prospective communication and broadcast satellites (Express-AM series, Yamal-GK, Express-AK, Sadko and other) are to be built with the latest technologies, which allow for an increase in throughput capacity and power of onboard relay complexes, which will extend the satellites’ orbital service lives to 12-15 years.

With the use of spacecraft, the Russian Federation has been and will be carrying out multi-aspect studies of near-Earth and deep space, and will aid the implementation of international scientific space projects. For example, the Granat X-ray observatory has been operating in orbit for over 10 years. During this time it has discovered about 20 previously unknown X-ray sources: black hole and neutron star candidates.

Carrying on with space activity in the interests of science, social and economic development, national security and international partnership, the Federal Space Agency facilitates work in the following main directions:

• Enhancement of launch vehicles on the basis of prospective technical solutions and modern technologies;

• Environmental monitoring, monitoring of emergency situations and assessment of their consequences;

• Study of Earth’s natural resources; • Provision of global-reach communication and broadcast services in the whole territory of the

Russian Federation; • Implementation of international agreements on space, including the construction of the

International Space Station and planetary studies; • Fundamental scientific research into astrophysics, planets and small bodies of the solar

system, heliophysics and solar-terrestrial physics; • Global high-precision time and coordinates support of customers at any point on the Earth at

any moment; • Conduct of piloted space flights; • Development of technologies for in-orbit manufacturing of new materials and high-purity

substances; • Accumulation of scientific and technological know-how for the creation of prospective space

hardware.

There are interstate and intergovernmental agreements in partnership in space with 18 countries, among them Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, some countries/members of ESA, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United States of America. The Federal Space Agency has also signed agreements with its counterparts from 20 countries and ESA on the implementation of joint space projects (rendition of space services), use of launch facilities, customs clearance procedures and duty-free import of products within the framework of partnership.

In fact, the Russian Federation has been offering various services, such as high-resolution remote sensing data from its satellites or the launching of satellites from its launchers, on a commercial basis to other countries. There has been a fairly positive response to these offers, as many countries and organizations around the world are ordering Russian remote sensing satellite data or are signing contracts for the launch of their satellites on Russian launch vehicles.

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As a whole, the Russian space effort is very substantial, covering a wide spectrum of areas in spaces science, technology and applications, and involving a large number of research organizations and contractors. 1.3 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

The national development policy is implemented primarily through two mechanisms. The institution of the Federal Special-purpose Programmes is directed at the implementation of the key tasks of the country’s economic and social development. The main programmes defining development of the ICT and satellite applications are the Federal Space Programme, Programme for Global Satellite Navigation System, Electronic Russia and others. There also are four national projects addressing quality of life issues and dealing with education, health care, affordable housing and agriculture. Satellite communications play an important role in a number of the development projects under the Electronic Russia programme. In particular, a large-scale project has been implemented since the mid-2000s to provide Internet access to rural schools, including through satellite links. The satellite-assisted telemedicine project is considered as part of the Federal Space Programme.

The Russian Federation is one of the 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, China, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar and Thailand, that signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006).

In order to enable accurate and unlimited commercial use of its military-controlled satellite-based positioning system (GLONASS), the Russian Federation has decided to lift all precision restrictions starting from 2007. GLONASS is designed for both military and civilian purposes, and allows users around the globe to identify their positions in real time. It can also be used in geological prospecting (GPS Daily 2006b). 1.4 National spatial information infrastructure

In the Russian Federation, the Ministry for Land Policy, Construction, Housing and Utilities used to coordinate and lead the national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI) development.

In 1998, the Government of the Russian Federation went through a number of organizational changes. All those structural changes influenced the coordination of the NSDI initiative in the Russian Federation. Before April 1998, the NSDI initiative was in the responsibility area of the Russian Federation Service for Surveying and Mapping (Roscartografia). After April 1998, Roscartografia became part of the Russian Federation Ministry for Land Policy, Construction, Housing and Utilities.

Following the break-up of the Russian Federation in September 1998, it was difficult to define one single agency responsible for NSDI. However, there is a strong consensus among the interested parties that the coordination activities should be distributed between the newly established Roscartografia and the Russian Federation State Land Committee (www.fccland.ru), an agency responsible for State Land Cadastre.

The Russian Federation believes that the widely available data sets like geodetic control, elevation and bathymetry, digital imagery, government boundaries, land ownership, transportation and hydrography (rivers and lakes) would provide a current base on which value would be added. Thus, not only base data sets but a wide range of other thematic spatial data sets are being made available through the NSDI.

Access to spatial digital data is being provided primarily through the establishment of NSDI clearinghouse nodes. The clearinghouse is a distributed electronic network that provides a means for finding spatial data, determining its fitness for use, and obtaining it or ordering it as economically as possible. While government agencies at federal, state, and local levels are establishing nodes, other data producers are encouraged to create nodes as well. All nodes are linked to the Internet. Using the data elements defined in the Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata, governmental, non-profit, and commercial participants worldwide can make their collections of spatial data searchable and accessible on the Internet using free reference software developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).

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Almost all digital spatial data collected by national government agencies in support of government needs are available in the public domain with no restrictions attached to subsequent use of the data by any party (whether for non-profit or profit-seeking uses), and the data is typically supplied by government agencies at the cost of dissemination in most instances. Most state and local governments follow similar open access approaches for their NSDI nodes to the greatest extent possible. The possibility exists for local and state governments as well as the private sector to provide on their NSDI nodes offerings of spatial data for sale and the imposition of use restrictions.

Ideally, framework data for a geographic area will be developed, maintained and integrated by organizations that produce and make use of data for that area. Virtually all spatial data producers are invited to join the effort and provide a National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse node. The vision is not typically one of supplying coast-to-coast data sets for the nation but of encouraging those acquiring data sets for some explicit purpose to make those data sets available, so that islands of spatial data meeting NSDI metadata and data standards will grow, expand and be maintained over time by those with the greatest interest in the data sets. Thus coordination is primarily provided through creation of a networked system or infrastructure that governments, businesses and individuals may tie into and through provision of standards.

Federal agencies continue to collect spatial data in support of their missions as defined by legislative mandates, and are making more of that data accessible through clearinghouse nodes. FGDC, in collaboration with federal agencies, has coordinated the NSDI Competitive Cooperative Agreements Programme to help start collaborative projects among local governments, state governments, academic institutions, non-profit groups and others willing to collect and make spatial data available through NSDI clearinghouse nodes. The government provides a critical mass of nodes, and the more nodes that are added over time, the more useful the system becomes to everyone.

The price should include the costs of creation and maintenance of NSDI. The spatial data sets sold or licensed over the Internet, even if they meet NSDI metadata and data standards, are not part of the NSDI but are simply part of the electronic commerce in spatial data. The commercial sector is free to establish any conditions and prices it chooses for the spatial data it sells or licenses.

Spatial data supplied by federal agencies are made available at the cost of dissemination or less. The cost of dissemination may often approach zero when Internet delivery mechanisms are used. The law or policies of many local and state governments are the same, but some local and state governments are charging at higher than the cost of dissemination.

If it is regulated, the commercial firms will share the expenses required to create elements of the NSDI and will cover their expenses according to special conditions of the NSDI data use. The goal is that responsibility for generating, maintaining, and distributing spatial data will be widely shared by different levels of government and the private sector. By one definition, government provides the base and the framework (i.e. the NSDI), while non-profit groups, citizens and the commercial sector are free to use this base as they see fit, ranging from public good to profit generation purposes. By another definition, the spatial data and services supplied by government, commercial, and citizen sectors are all part of the NSDI.

(a) Commercial data: Certainly many FGDC/NSDI standards and principles are being supported by the current vendor community, and thus the commercial sector is contributing to the building of the NSDI in this manner. However, there are no current clearinghouse nodes in which a private commercial company is making framework data sets available without any ownership claims on the data such that others may freely build on that framework data without entering into data sale or licensing agreements – and such nodes may never arise. Commercial data sets meeting NSDI standards made available for sale or licensing over the web are probably not considered by most persons in the United States to be part of the NSDI by formal definition, but such data sets are certainly supportive of the NSDI.

(b) Commercial involvement in producing government data: Federal government agencies use private companies to meet their spatial data needs where there is a capacity by the private sector to do so at competitive prices. Where private sector capabilities are able to respond at reasonable costs within time frames required, federal agencies generally seek to take advantage of these efficiencies, even if it means curtailing or dismantling existing government facilities over time.

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The extent of the government’s reliance on the private sector for data and services depends in part on the need to retain some in-house capacity for contracting and programme management or for specific public good purposes.

In addition to public domain data, the free search software developed by FGDC, by which all clearinghouse nodes on the Internet may be searched, is a good example of a public good that benefits everyone who might want to search for spatial data. The standards creation activities of FGDC, its working groups and its subcommittees are further examples of services that benefit everyone without individuals being charged directly for the services.

The existing Russian Federation Law for Geodesy and Cartography states mainly the rights of the Federal Service for Geodesy and Mapping as a spatial data collector and holder. There is also the Russian Federation Law on Information, Informatization and Protection of Information. Further measures to develop privacy protection mechanisms are also needed. Required laws for privacy of individual citizens and numerous spatial data producers and consumers should be developed.

There is a draft proposal for the review of the President of the Russian Federation and of the government concerning NSDI. Current developments are based on the interest of local authorities to develop the land cadastre systems in their jurisdictions. Substantial funds have been spent internally by federal agencies in making their data sets, standards and approaches compatible with NSDI concepts. In addition, the NSDI Competitive Cooperative Agreements Programme (CCAP) has expended approximately US$2 million per year on NSDI activities since 1994 that encourage others to make their spatial data available through the NSDI.

The link between client and the clearinghouse is established through World Wide Web technology and standard commercial web browsers utilizing Russian federal telecommunication networks. Clearinghouse implementations must have the ability to search for geospatial data over the Internet, so the communications protocol known as Z39.50 is typically used with servers. 1.5 Major national journals and publications related to space technology applications, in

both local and foreign languages

(a) Rossiiskii Kosmos (Russia’s Cosmos): A monthly 96-page, full-colour social/political/popular science magazine published by the International Rocket and Space Industry Companies Association (in Russian, with English abstracts). It is edited by Cosmonaut and Russian Academy of Science Corr. Member Viktor Savinykh. It covers news and features on space exploration and utilization, space history, social and cultural aspects of space programmes, and space industry news and views. It also encourages open discussions. The URL is <www.roscosmos.ru>.

(b) Novosti Kosmonavtiki (The News of Cosmonautics): A monthly 80-page, full-colour space news and history magazine. Published by a private company in close collaboration with Russian space organizations (in Russian), and edited by Igor Marinin, it covers news and events of Russian and international space programmes and publishes space history features. The URL is <www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru>.

(c) Polyot (Flight): A monthly 60-page, black-and-white science and technical magazine. It is published by Mashinostroenie Publications (in Russian, with English abstracts) and edited by Lev Gilberg. It one of the nation’s peer-reviewed aerospace publications, publishing scientific and technical articles from the aerospace industry and academia. The URL is <www.mashin.ru/jurnal/aboute.php&id=10>.

In 2005 the Federal Space Agency published a Roscosmos reference book in Russian. The English edition is now under preparation. Also, the Agency is publishing the booklet series “Access to Space”, covering most of the launches in the country’s civil and international space programmes. 1.6 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in the

Russian Federation from 1997 to 2006

There are a number of national and international space-related conferences held in the Russian Federation. Some of the prominent and more important ones are the following:

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(a) Academic Readings on Cosmonautics (an annual science and technical conference) – Moscow (www.ihst.ru);

(b) Tsiolkovski Readings (an annual interdisciplinary science, technical and social conference) – Kaluga City, since 1966;

(c) Gagarin Readings (an annual interdisciplinary conference primarily focused on manned space programmes and general social and political context) – Gagarin City;

(d) International Aerospace Congresses (IAC) in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006. This is a major event conducted in Moscow by the Organization Committee led by the Moscow Aviation Technology Institute. It is primarily focused on technical and scientific aspects of aerospace technology and programmes development (www.fund.ru/congress);

(e) International Conference on Aviation and Cosmonautics. The conference has been conducted annually since 2005, sponsored by the Federal Space Agency, Russian Academy of Science and others. The organizers are from the Moscow Aviation Institute (www.mai.ru/conf/aerospace);

(f) SatCom Russia. This annual conference of operators and users of the Russian Federation satellite telecommunication network has been held by Russian Satellite Communication Company in Dubna, Moscow region, since 1996. The eleventh conference was held in 2006 (www.rscc.ru);

(g) GIS-Forum. The annual all-Russian forum on the Russian geo-informatics market is conducted by GIS Association and sponsored by Russian ministries and private companies. The thirteenth forum was held in Moscow in 2006 (www.gisa.ru);

(h) All-Russian Open Annual Conference on the Earth Remote Sensing. Held annually since 2003 by Space Research Institute, the fourth Conference was held in Moscow in 2006 (www.iki.rssi.ru/d33_conf.htm);

(i) MAKS International Aviation and Space Show. It has been held in Zhukovskiy, Moscow biannually since 1993. In addition to the traditional air show activities, an exhibition and conferences are conducted as part of this event (www.aviasalon.com);

(j) International Small Satellite Conference, Korolyov, Moscow. The fourth conference was held in 2004. 1.7 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which the

Russian Federation is a member

Listed below are international organizations of which the Russian Federation is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia-Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes (space segment)

With the assistance of Earth remote sensing satellites, a wide range of social, economic and scientific problems are being addressed in relation to monitoring of the natural environment in the interests of hydrometeorology, ecology, control of emergency situations, solar-terrestrial physics, and Earth sciences. For these are used the hydrometeorological (Meteor type) and resource surveillance (Monitor-E and Resurs-DK) observation satellites. The use of these satellites leads to an appreciable

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increase in the effectiveness of industrial activity in various sectors of the economy. Perennial Earth remote sensing statistic databases are extremely important for climatic studies, studies of Earth as a single ecological system, oceanography) hydrology, glaciology and other sciences. 2.2 Earth observation satellites

The Russian orbital constellation is composed of about 90 satellites, providing services for communication, broadcast, navigation, study of Earth’s natural resources, global and regional environmental monitoring, monitoring of emergency situations, scientific studies, and supplying information and rendering services to more than 20 customer agencies and hundreds of organizations and enterprises all over the country. 3. Satellite communications systems

More than 70 per cent of the satellite constellation described immediately above consists of communication and broadcast satellites (Horizon, Yamal, Express-A, Ekran-M, Bonum-l and Gonets-Dl). 4. Satellite-based positioning programmes

The Russian GLONASS navigation system, put into operation in 1993, creates a global time and navigation field on Earth, in the air, and in near-Earth space, which opens the possibility of making navigational information available to a wide range of customers. These customers include the transportation industries (all types of aviation, sea-going and river-going fleets, automobile, railway and other types of transport). The navigational information finds widespread uses in geodesy, cartography, geological prospecting, agriculture and forestry.

GLONASS is being extended to cover the whole country by the end of 2007 (GPS Daily 2006b).

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20. SINGAPORE

Responding agencies:

• Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP), National University of Singapore

• Nanyang Technological University

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

Since Singapore does not have an official space agency, there is no such designated organization responsible for various facets of the national space programme. However, the Meteorological Service of Singapore, Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP), National University of Singapore and the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, are the major players handling various facets of the national space programme. National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Kwoh Leong Keong, Director Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP) National University of Singapore Blk. SOC1 Level 2, Lower Kent Ridge Road Kent Ridge, 119260, Singapore Fax: +65-6792-3923 Email: lkkwoh@nus.edu.sg

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

In Singapore there is no national space programme as such. However, some space-related activities are coordinated on an ad hoc basis by the National Science and Technology Board. In addition to that, some specialized activities, such as reception and application in weather prediction of meteorological satellite data; reception, processing and application of SPOT, ERS and Radarsat data; and a joint project in satellite communication with the University of Surrey, England, are carried out by the tertiary education institutions specified above. 1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

In 2005, CRISP, through NUS, took a minority share of SPOT Asia. SPOT Asia is now a joint venture of NUS (CRISP) and SPOT Image. This joint venture will allow Singapore to better serve the South-East Asia region. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

The Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing was established in late 1992 at the National University of Singapore with funding from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), which supports the operational use of space technology in Singapore. 1.5 Plans for future satellite activities and applications associated with natural disaster

monitoring

Under the MODIS wild fire monitoring stream of the Sentinel Asia project, Hokkaido University-Japan, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)-Thailand, CRISP-Singapore and CSIRO-

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Australia provide data to Keio University in Japan to integrate the data from different sources and process it. Following the integration of information, which is produced at Keio University, through Digital Asia, the products are disseminated to the end users for fire fighting purposes via a web interface (Fukuda 2007). 1.6 National spatial information infrastructure

Singapore has been developing its NSDI since it was initiated decades ago. The information that has been produced is made available to users through several government geospatial data sites, which are accessible through the Internet. Most of the digital spatial information is disseminated through Integrated Land Information Systems (INLIS), National Computer Systems / Singapore Land Registry (Ministry of Law) and Survey Department (Ministry of Law) (GIS Development 2007).

In Singapore, the major users of digital spatial information are government organizations such as the Singapore Land Authority, Land Transport Authority and many other public utilities. There are research institutes doing very high-quality and relevant research in the field of remote sensing, GIS and satellite positioning systems, such as CRISP, the Positioning and Wireless Technology Centre (PWTC), Nanyang Technological University, and the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI). In government projects, the private sector is visibly involved, especially in some of the projects undertaken by the Land Transport Authority. In some governments in Asia, interaction between the public and private sector adapted the vendor-buyer model rather than the partnership model. This approach, however, is now changing and the private sector is now being treated as a partner, not simply as a vendor. In terms of applications, there is a tendency for GIS projects in Singapore to involve major customization and system integration activities. The trend throughout the 1990s was to make substantial alterations to the standard GIS user interfaces for the purpose of limiting access to various functions, as well as the streamlining of processing. The disadvantage of this style of implementation has been that upgrading to new versions of DBMS, GIS, Work Flow and other integrated software is a complex and costly process (GIS Development 2007). 1.7 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

In Singapore, various courses on remote sensing, GIS, satellite communications and other topics are conducted at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in tertiary educational institutions, which are open for all international students. 1.8 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Singapore between 1997 and 2006

A number of seminars have been organized either solely by CRISP or jointly with SPOT Asia on synthetic aperture radar, visible remote sensing studies of forests and vegetation, ocean phenomena, urban studies, and other topics, as well as remote sensing data processing techniques. CRISP staff have been sent on various local and international training programmes on remote sensing, computer management, GIS, data processing techniques and the like. 1.9 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which

Singapore is a member

The international organizations of which Singapore is a member include the following:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Application (ASEAN-SCOSA); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC);

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• Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

1.10 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

Source: ESCAP, 1997. Space Technology Application Capabilities, Facilities and Activities in the ESCAP Region: A Regional Inventory (ST/ESCAP/1868).

Figure 11. Organization of space activities in Singapore 2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes for natural disaster monitoring

(a) Fire monitoring: CRISP has an on-going project, since 1998, in collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to monitor land and forest fires in the region. Daily, the SPOT images available over the “hot spot” areas in Indonesia and Malaysia are scanned for fires. The fire scenes are then processed and annotated, and sent together to NEA within six hours. After the major fire events of 1998, CRISP scientists have prepared a burnt area map of the Kalimantan and Sumatra areas.

(b) 2004 tsunami: The 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami devastated many coastal areas fronting the Indian Ocean. CRISP has acquired a lot of the satellite images of the devastated regions with SPOT 5 and Ikonos satellites. More importantly, the images were processed and delivered to the Singapore rescue team on the same day of data acquisition, to aid the rescue team’s planning and execution. CRISP also provided data to Thailand and Indonesia for similar purposes.

(c) 2006 Java earthquake: In May 2006, the Java earthquake caused considerable casualties in the villages near Bantul, south of Yogyakarta, in Java, Indonesia. CRISP also acquired a number of Ikonos and SPOT 5 images over the affected area. Again, the images were delivered to our rescue team and to some Indonesian agencies to aid in their rescue operation.

(d) Land reclamation monitoring: Land reclamation is a regular activity in Singapore. CRISP is now assisting contractors and authorities in the monitoring of land reclamation on a regular

Government of Singapore

Ministry of Communications

Meteorological Statutory boards

Research and Education in

remote sensing

National University of Singapore

Nanyang Technological

University

Ministry of Education

Statutory boards

Research and Education in

GIS

Telecommunications Authority of Singapore

GMS/NOAA HRPT satellite ground receiving station

Satellite Communications

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basis. Almost cloud-free SPOT and Ikonos images over the reclaimed land areas are imaged two to three times a year and geometrically processed so that images are suitable for used in the authorities’ GIS system. 2.2 Earth observation satellite receiving facilities

CRISP has operated a ground receiving station since 1995. The station has two main X-band tracking antennas – a 13-m-diameter antenna and a 6-m-diameter antenna. These antennas are supplemented by three small antennas – a 1.5-m L-band antenna for reception of polar orbiting NOAA and Fengyun 1C/D satellite data and two 3-m L-band antennas for reception of the geostationary weather satellites of Fengyun 2C and MTSAT-1R.

Currently, CRISP receives data from the following satellites (GIS Development 2007):

• SPOT 1, 2 and 4 (since 1995); • ERS 1,2 (since 1996); • Radarsat 1 (1997-2000); • NOAA (12, 14, 15 and 16) (since 1999); • Fengyun 1C and 1D (since 1999); • Terra (MODIS) (since 2001); • Ikonos (since 2001); • EROS A1 (since 2001); • Aqua (MODIS) (since 2002); • SPOT 5 (since 2002); • Fengyun 2C (since 2005); • MTSAT-1R (since 2005).

3. Programmes or projects supported by integrated applications of remote sensing

(including airborne methods), communication, satellite-based positioning, and other space technologies and ICT

The Satellite Engineering Centre at Nanyang Technological University has a Satellite Engineering Programme to promote research and development in space technologies and applications. Since its inception in 1995, the Centre has embarked on projects covering microsatellite design and the development of a small satellite space bus system and payloads for launch into low Earth orbits to fulfil such mission objectives as Earth imaging and observation, satellite-based mobile communication, data acquisition, and messaging. Upstream academic research programmes in satellite engineering, space science and technology, as well as new space technology application developments, have also been initiated. Details of the activities are available from <www.ntu.edu.sg/centre/sec>. 4. Operational products and services and their major application fields

Standard products that CRISP produces are in strict compliance with the specifications of the satellite operators (SPOT Image, ESA, GeoEye and others).

Specialized products comprise standard ortho SPOT 5 products and Pan+XS merged SPOT 5 products in false colour and pseudo-natural true colour.

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21. SRI LANKA Responding agency:

Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) 1. National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology

applications

In Sri Lanka, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies is the organization that is responsible for coordinating space-related activities and applications of space technology for various purposes. National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr S. Namasivayam Director/CEO Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies Katubedda, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Fax: +94-11-507-462 Tel.: +94-11-2650838 Email: dir@accmt.ac.lk

The Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies was established in 1984 by an Act of Parliament to accelerate the process of introduction and development of modern technologies in the fields of communications, information technologies, electronics and microelectronics, space technologies, through the provision of training and research facilities. Basic infrastructure was established in 1986 and the technical activities commenced in early 1987. With the implementation of the Science and Technology Development Act No. 11 in 1998, the Centre was re-named the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies. Today the Institute is actively involved in the areas of communications, electronics and microelectronics, astronomy and remote sensing and geographic information systems. Sir Arthur C. Clarke is the patron of ACCIMT.

As an outcome of the Basic Science Workshop held in Bangalore, India, in 1991, organized by the Outer Space Affairs Division of the United Nations, the establishment of an observatory in Sri Lanka was recommended and supported. As a result of this, a 45-cm Cassegrain reflecting telescope was bestowed to Sri Lanka by the Government of Japan under the Japanese cultural grant scheme.

This telescope facility was installed at ACCIMT and commissioned in January 1996. It is equipped with a photometer, a spectrograph and two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras (SBIG ST-7 and SBIG ST-9E). Available astronomy facilities are used for research activities as well as promotional activities among school children and the general public of the country. 2. Research activities

ACCIMT acts as common umbrella for contributing, promoting and assisting research activities, training programmes and national conferences related to space sciences in Sri Lanka.

The remote sensing and GIS laboratories of ACCIMT are well equipped with modern 490 Xeon workstations, Magellan handheld GPS receivers, Earth Resource Data Analysis System (ERDAS) Imagine 8.5 remote sensing software, ArcView 8.2 GIS software and ENVI 4.1 software.

The following research projects have been carried out by ACCIMT:

• A study of the impact of monsoon winds on coastal erosion using SAR images and ocean surface wind speed data;

• Ikonos Earth observation satellite with 1-m resolution and with geo-referenced satellite images was used to estimate tsunami destruction in the Hambantota area of Sri Lanka.

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3. Training programmes

The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies has conducted the following RS/GIS seminars for professionals in Sri Lanka:

(a) Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Applications: The Seminar on Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Applications was held on 8-9 May 2000 at ACCIMT and was organized by the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and ACCIMT. A total of 50 delegates attended the seminar.

(b) Remote Sensing and GIS for Earth Resource Management: The Seminar on Remote Sensing and GIS for Earth Resource Management was held on 28 October 2005 at ACCIMT and was organized by ACCIMT. A total of 30 delegates attended the seminar.

The Sri Lanka Centre for Remote Sensing (CRS) at the Survey Department is conducting short courses about GPS technologies for capacity-building in Sri Lanka.

The Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) at the University of Peradeniya offers a M.Sc. degree programme and a diploma programme in geo-informatics. The objectives of the programmes are to introduce a wide range of practical application dimensions of innovative technologies while providing a comprehensive education on theoretical concepts of remote sensing, GIS and GPS. The special Geo-Informatics M.Sc. programme will enable the students to handle practical problems and to find out solutions with the help of geo-informatics. The programme also aims at producing professionals who can handle and find solutions to all kinds of spatial related questions and applications. The minimum duration for the M.Sc. degree programme shall be three semesters (18 months), while an additional semester will be needed for the special M.Sc. programme, which includes a research component. The duration of the diploma programme will be a minimum of nine months, including one semester of course work and a period of three months for practicum and seminar.

With the aims of promoting, assisting and contributing to the furtherance of research for the development of geo-informatics, the Geo-Informatics Society of Sri Lanka (GISSL), in PGIA, has brought professionals, researchers, academia and other interested parties, who are working in geo-informatics-related disciplines to common forums every year since 2004. The following three forums were conducted by GISSL:

• The First National Symposium on Geo-Informatics was held on 30 July 2004 and a total of 18 selected papers were presented;

• The Second National Symposium on Geo-Informatics was held on 26 August 2005 and a total of 15 selected papers were presented;

• The Third National Symposium on Geo-Informatics was held on 25 August 2006 and a total of 12 selected papers were presented.

GISSL organized the Remote Sensing Day – 2006 on 27 January 2006 in collaboration with ACCIMT, to offer an introduction to the subject for scientists in Sri Lanka. The theme of Remote Sensing Day was “Satellite Technology for Disaster Management”. Major areas covered were Principles of Remote Sensing (Optical and Microwave), Remote Sensing for Disaster Management (Drought, Landslides), and Remote Sensing for National Development (National Mapping Activities). More information can be obtained from the web site <www.gissl.lk/RS/RSIndex.html>.

The Department of Meteorology has been using satellite data for weather forecasting since about 1972. It receives data from the polar-orbiting NOAA series of satellites and the geostationary Japanese GMS satellite over the western Pacific Ocean. India is expected to provide equipment, under the Indo-Sri Lanka Commission on Science and Technology, to receive INSAT data. Microcomputer-based signal processing systems are used for weather forecasting.

GIS is also presently being used by many agencies in the country. Notable work in this regard has been done by the University of Colombo in malaria control and the University of Peradeniya in coastal zone management. The Survey Department is working on converting topographic data into digital form for these applications.

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The Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa, has PCs with Internet access, a digitizing table, stereoscopes, aerial and satellite images, topographical maps, and Global Positioning System data for RS/GIS research applications.

The International Centre for Geoinformatics Applications and Training (ICGAT), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, is dedicated to human resource development and applications using geoinformatics. ICGAT conducts training courses in GIS, GPS and satellite remote sensing technology and applications. ICGAT has a pool of resources in the latest GIS and remote sensing software, fast computers, digitizers, scanners, printers and well equipped training rooms with multimedia. The training programmes of ICGAT vary from seminars to training courses. Training durations range between three days and one month.

The Survey Department of Sri Lanka is the national surveying and mapping organization, established on 2 August 1800. The Sri Lanka Centre for Remote Sensing (CRS) at the Survey Department is conducting remote-sensing-related activities in Sri Lanka. The goal of CRS is to carry out specific operational work related to remote sensing, especially interpretation of aerial photographs and satellite images. The main task of this activity is to support and supplement the existing mapping and services in Sri Lanka (land use maps, image maps and the like).

The collection of data from aerial photographs in digital or digitally formatted manner has been handled by the Survey Department since 1992. At present, the department is well equipped with 10 analytical plotters, one digital workstation and a 7.2-micron, high-resolution photo scanner, thus making it possible to produce high-quality, orthorectified, and geo-referenced aerial photographs quickly, easily and at low cost.

The Survey Department, as the national surveying and mapping organization, provides geo-spatial data to other institutions and individuals for their needs. Since 1992, a 1:10,000 topographic map series has been produced using photogrammetric method. Data are available in digital form for all areas to be developed.

The computer laboratory is equipped with 58 computers (five laptops and 53 desktops) that support high-quality modern software. Various kinds of software packages commonly used in the surveying domain – such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Arc/Info, ArcView, Ilwis, Ecplot, Matlab, and all MS packages that can be run on these computers in the Windows operating environment – are available in the lab. 4. Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in Sri

Lanka between 1997 and 2006

(a) National Conference on Space Sciences and Technology Application for National Development: ACCIMT was appointed as the National Focal Point for Space Science Technology Applications in 1994 by the Government of Sri Lanka. In September 1994 ACCIMT participated in the Ministerial Conference on Space Science Technology organized by ESCAP in Beijing, China, along with the Sri Lankan Ambassador to China, who represented the meeting on behalf of the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology.

After the ESCAP conference in China, the late Hon. Science and Technology Minister Bernard Soysa appointed the National Committee to prepare an Action Plan for Space Science Technology Activities in Sri Lanka. At the first National Committee Meeting held on 27 February 1997, chaired by the late Hon. Science and Technology Minister Bernard Soysa, the committee proposed to have a National Conference on Space Sciences and Technology Application for National Development.

The first National Conference on Space Sciences and Technology Applications for National Development was held on 21-22 January 1999 at the Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo. The conference focused on space communications, remote sensing, GIS/space-based positioning, and space-based meteorology and astronomy. The Government of Sri Lanka was the main sponsor of the conference.

A total of 100 delegates (foreign and local participants) attended the national conference.

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(b) The 15th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing – ACRS 1994: The 15th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing was held on 17-23 November 1994 in Bangalore, India, and was organized by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka and the Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS). The papers presented have been classified into technical sessions and poster sessions.

Technical papers were presented under the following categories: Agriculture and soil, water resources, disasters, education / training, forestry, mapping from space.

The complete conference proceedings of ACRS 1994 can be obtained from the web site <www.gisdevelopment.net/aars/acrs/1994/index.htm>.

(c) The 17th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing – ACRS 1996: The 17th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing was held on 4-8 November 1996 in Sri Lanka and was organized by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka and AARS. The papers presented were classified into technical sessions and poster sessions.

A total number of 236 delegates (101 overseas participants and 135 local participants) attended the 1996 conference in Sri Lanka.

Technical papers were presented under the following categories. Agriculture and soil; Water resources / hydrology; Disasters; Education / communication; Forestry / vegetation; Mapping; Oceanography / meteorology; Land use; Digital image processing; Geosciences / DTM; GIS; Global environment; Special Session on Applications of Remote Sensing and GIS to Land Degradation; Working group: 1-km Land Cover Database in Asia. The complete conference proceedings of ACRS 1996 can be obtained from the web site <www.gisdevelopment.net/aars/acrs/1996/index.htm>.

(d) The 19th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing – ACRS 2008: The Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS 2008) is a prestigious annual event organized by AARS and the host country, and held in rotation within the Asia Pacific Region, to promote remote sensing technology in the region. Sri Lanka is planning to hold the 19th ACRS in Sri Lanka in November 2008. 5. Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which Sri

Lanka is a member

The international organizations of which Sri Lanka is a member include the following:

• Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP), affiliated with the United Nations o Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies;

• Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) o Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies;

• National Focal Points on the Regional Space Applications Programme (RESAP) o Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies;

• Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS) o Survey Department;

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO) o Department of Meteorology.

The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies is very interested in collaboration and RS/GIS research with other universities, research centres and scientific institutions to promote our knowledge for better understanding of the dynamics of global environmental change in alignment with natural and human dimensions.

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22. THAILAND Responding agencies:

Content provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), with contribution from: • Thai Meteorological Department • Bureau of Occupational Health and Environmental Disease, Ministry of Health. • Defence Space Technology Centre • Space Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology • Royal Thai Survey Department • Distance Learning Foundation

1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) is the national body for space-related activities, especially Earth observations and observation satellite development. The Space Affairs Bureau under the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, on the other hand, oversees and is responsible for satellite communication activities.

The Defence Space Technology Centre under the Ministry of Defence is the focal point for military activities relating to space applications in Thailand. National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Thongchai Charuppat Director Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency 196 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak Bangkok 10900, Thailand Fax: +66-2-561-3035 Tel.: +66-2-940-6420-9 Email: thongc@gistda.or.th

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of legislation, policies and strategies

Thailand, one of the advanced countries in space technology in the region, has relevant legislation regulating space activities. The most important legislation is the Royal Decree on Transfer of Assets, Powers and Duties of Government Agencies Pursuant to the Act on Organization of Ministries, Sub-Ministries and Departments, B.E. 2545 (2002). As a result, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology was established on 3 October 2002. When the Space Affairs Bureau was formed under MICT, its assets, powers and duties were transferred from the Space Development Agency of the Ministry of Transport.

The Thai national policy is described by the National Space Master Plan (2004-2014).

The space-relevant national strategy is based on three blocks:

1. Applications of space technologies: a. National security; b. National development and public welfare; c. Commercialization.

2. Space capacity-building:

a. Research, development and accumulation of space technology;

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b. Human resource development. 3. Unity of space administration:

a. Establishment of a centralized space authority; b. Development of space policy, space law and international space collaboration.

The Royal Thai Survey Department (RTSD) is a member of the National Geo-information

Committee, which is in charge of national legislation, policies and strategies relevant to space technology applications. 1.2.2 General information on national space activities

Thailand’s space activities are related to Earth observation, communication, and satellite design and construction. Earth observation satellite data have been applied in various fields. The ground receiving station in Thailand has provided remote sensing satellite data to a large number of users for monitoring and management of natural resources and the environment. The station has been archiving satellite images for more than 20 years within a footprint of 2,500 km, covering 17 countries in South-East Asia. Thailand communication satellites have enriched the life of the country, providing services such as television broadcasting, Internet via satellite, and tele-education. In 1998, ThaiPaht, the first Thai microsatellite, was launched into sun-synchronous orbit. In 2003, the Cabinet approved the Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS) project, the first Thai remote sensing satellite, which is to be launched in mid-2007, with a view to fulfilling the nation’s need to have its own observation satellite. This and similar developments will ensure the swifter acquisition of independent data for purposes relating to national security, specifically in the field of socio-economics, including natural disaster monitoring and detection of narcotic crops. Thailand has entered into cooperation with various countries and international organizations in space-related activities, such as cooperation with China, France, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, the Russian Federation and other countries.

The functions of the Defence Space Technology Centre (DSTC) are to consider, plan, direct, coordinate and operate the telecommunication and defence satellite communications system with respect to the policies of the Ministry of Defence. This agency acts as a satellite communication system and broadcasting-satellite service provider for government agencies concerned with national security, and carries out any task as directed. DSTC is headed by a Director General. Its recent activities include the following:

• Released five commercial satellites (Thaicom-1, Thaicom-2, Thaicom-3, Thaicom-4 (IPStar) and Thaicom-5;

• Co-founded the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) in 2005; • Joined the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 2005; • Joined the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation on Space Technology Applications (AP-

MCSTA); • Participated in the Small Multi-mission Satellite (SMMS) project under AP-MCSTA; • Organized several seminars in many parts of Thailand for youth and instructors under the

Space Knowledge Dissemination Project. 1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for

achieving internationally agreed development goals

Thailand launched Thaicom-4 (IPStar) on 27 May 2006, the largest communications satellite ever built, with a massive bandwidth capacity of 45 Gbps. It is one of the new-generation Internet protocol (IP) satellites that will serve the demand for high-speed broadband Internet access and communication.

Thailand also launched Thaicom-5 on 27 May 2006. It is a three-axis-stabilized spacecraft with a payload capacity of 25 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders. The coverage of Thaicom-5 spans four continents, so it is able to serve users in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Earth observation satellite images have been widely applied in various fields, such as natural resources management, environmental monitoring and disaster reduction. Communication satellites are particularly utilized for tele-education and tele-health, especially for the people in rural areas.

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Box 8. National response to distance education / e-learning in Thailand

Thailand has institutionalized satcom-based DE/e-learning and has been using strategically the advances in ThaiCom satellites, particularly the recently launched IPStar satellite with its broadband capability, as well as the ground segment, including associated hardware and software segments to reduce the cost, enhance the quality of content, and improve access to educational opportunities. It has been a part of the national strategy and educational reform to transform the society into a learning society, able to take advantage of the opportunities available by connecting with the global knowledge economy. It is also important to recognize that a dynamic linkage has been developed connecting satcom-based educational technology infrastructure, human resource development, the provision of high-quality digital learning and teaching materials, and change management processes.

Implementation of satcom-based DE/e-learning in schools and communities over the past decade has brought major changes in the education and training sectors. It is worth highlighting that Thailand’s strategy for this form of education is backed by strong policy and institutional support and has consequently had a considerable impact in bridging the digital divide, in knowledge and content development, and in strengthening science and technology. It has truly helped Thailand reform the education process.

The success of DE in Thailand, however, lies in the strategic partnership between the government and industry (ThaiCom Foundation). While the government, besides holding overall administrative control, provides the necessary regulations, inter-governmental coordination and budgetary support, the role of industry has ensured the availability of a Ku-band transponder from the ThaiCom satellite. In 2000, seven channels were used to beam DE courses to 2,700 secondary schools, and that number has grown to more than 20,000 primary schools using more than 14 channels. Today, Thailand’s DE has also been expanded to neighbouring countries: Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. A national system in the beginning, it is scaling up and turning into a subregional system benefiting a number of countries. Contributor: V. Jayaraman, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bangalore, India. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

Image processing facilities have been provided to several government agencies to support the application of satellite images in various fields. 1.5 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving such development goals

Thailand has entered into cooperation agreement with various countries and international organizations in space related activities such as China, France, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, the Russian Federation and other countries. Among the international organizations at subregional, regional and global levels are COPUOS, GEOSS, APSCO, Asia-Pacific Satellite Communication Council (APSCC), CSSTE-AP, ESCAP-RESAP, APRSAF, AP-MCSTA and ASEAN-SCOSA.

Meanwhile, Thailand has ratified a number of conventions with the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) and the International Telecommunication Satellite Organization (ITSO).

Thailand is one of the seven recipients of FengyunCast user reception systems in March 2006 and attended the FengyunCast user training workshop in July 2006 (Zheng et al. 2007).

Through cooperation between GISTDA (Thailand), RESTEC (Japan) and LAPAN (Indonesia), between December 2003 and March 2008, a number of pilot projects that utilize ALOS information are being implemented in Thailand and Indonesia. Several ministries and government agencies are participating in the pilot project, including the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, for land management and city planning; the Land Development Department, for agriculture; the Royal Irrigation Department, for irrigation; the Department of Natural Parks, for forestry; the Department of Fisheries, for fisheries; and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, for disasters; their participation will demonstrate the usefulness of ALOS data in several applications (Dowreang and Silapathong 2007).

Thailand is one of the 27 countries and space agencies, including Australia, China, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar and the Russian Federation, that signed agreements with India for cooperation in the space technology area (Space Daily 2006).

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1.6 National policies regarding the private sector for provision of space application services, with emphasis on development-oriented services

In Thailand, relevant private-sector companies have been encouraged to use satellite images for their respective applications. In addition to training courses for government officers, courses have also been offered for private sector participants.

In 1991, an agreement was reached between the Government of Thailand and Shin Satellite PCL for 30 years of operation of domestic communication satellites. 1.7 National spatial information infrastructure

GISTDA is the national core agency for the establishment of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

RTSD is installing a National Clearing House for geo-information sharing, in which all metadata of satellite images available in Thailand will be included. 1.8 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

GISTDA has established the Institute of Space Knowledge Development, which provides more than 12 short training courses each year. These courses generally concentrate on GIS applications to water resources and disaster management, satellite data processing, GIS for executives, and high-resolution satellite data processing, as well as other topics.

GISTDA cooperates with five national universities, namely Chiang Mai University, Narasuan University, Khon Kaen University, Burapha University and Prince of Songkhla University. Each university organizes both short training courses and promotes GIS and space technology applications for sustainable development in local communities.

The Defence Space Technology Centre also organizes short training courses in remote sensing, GIS and cartography.

Regular remote sensing training courses are organized by the Survey School of RTSD. 1.9 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in

Thailand between 1997 and 2006

Between 1997 and 2006, several international and regional seminars, conferences and workshops were organized in Thailand, among them the following:

• United Nations / Thailand Workshop on Space Technology and Applications, September 2002; • United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs / Thailand Workshop on Space Technology and

Applications, August 2003; • World Summit on the Information Society / United Nations / Thailand Contribution of

Satellite Communications Technologies to Bridge the Digital Divide for the Benefit of Developing Countries in the Asia–Pacific Region, September 2003, Bangkok;

• Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS-25) and Asian Space Conference (ASC-1), November 2004;

• APSCO meeting organized by AP-MCSTA, in 2004, Bangkok; • ESCAP/Thailand Meeting of Experts on Space Applications for Disaster Management, July

2005; • ESCAP/JAXA/Thailand Second Joint Project Team Meeting (JPTM) for Establishing the

Disaster Management Support System in the Asia-Pacific Region, June 2006; • Space Law Conference, organized by the Space Affairs Bureau, MICT, August 2006,

Bangkok; • Seventeenth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific

(UNRCC-AP) and Twelfth Session of PCGIAP September 2006, Bangkok.

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1.10 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which Thailand is a member

Listed hereunder are international organizations of which Thailand is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), since December 2004;

• Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS), since 2005; • Group on Earth Observation (GEO), since 2003; Thailand is one of the GEO Executive

Committee members.

The regional organizations of which Thailand is also a member include the following:

• ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Applications (ASEAN-SCOSA), since 1998;

• Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), since 1980; • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP),

since 1994; • Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP),

since 2005; • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN), since 2004; • Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), since 2005; • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), since 2006; • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

1.11 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

Cabinet

Ministry of Science and Technology

Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Information and Communication

Technology

Space Affairs Bureau Defense Space Technology Centre

Military Research and Development

Centre

Geo-Informatics and Space Technology

Development Agency (Public Organization)

Space Development Committee (SDC)

Ministry of Information and Communication Technology

Members of SDC

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Science and Technology

Bureau of Budget

Defense Space Technology Centre, Ministry of Defense

Military Research and Development Centre, Supreme Command Headquarters

Department of Aviation, Ministry of Transport

The Meteorological Department

Commission of Higher Education

National Telecommunications Commission Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization)

Related State Enterprises

Academic Experts

Legal ExpertSpace Affairs Bureau

National Body

• Space Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Information and CommunicationTechnology, is responsible for Satellite Communications

•GISTDA Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) is responsible for the remote sensing

•Defense Space Technology Centre, MOD, is the focal point of Military activities relating the Space Applications in Thailand

Figure 12. Current space-related organizations in Thailand and the Space Development Committee

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Figure 13. Organization chart of the Royal Thai Survey Department 2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

2.1.1 Earth observation satellite application programmes

GISTDA has been providing satellite data to Thai agencies to be used for cartography, agriculture, forestry, water resources, land use monitoring/planning, and other purposes.

After more than two decades of using satellite remote sensing data from foreign systems, including Radarsat, SPOT and Landsat, Thailand decided to develop its own satellite and initiated the THEOS Pilot Project on 19 July 2004, with the following objectives (Dowreang and Silapathong 2007):

• Build and promote the capability of SPOT data applications in Thai agencies; • Promote R&D and improve SPOT data applications in four major areas, namely cartography,

agriculture, forestry and water resources; • Support technology transfer of SPOT data applications; • Pave the way to the future use of THEOS data.

2.1.2 Current and planned Earth observation satellites

In 2003, the Thai cabinet approved the Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS) project, which involves the development of the first Thai remote sensing satellite, which will be launched in mid-2007, with a view to fulfilling the nation’s desire to have its own satellite. THEOS will enable Thailand to acquire timely, independent data for the purpose of national security, including natural disaster monitoring and the detection of narcotic crops.

EADS Astrium in France is building the THEOS satellite. Detailed information on THEOS is available on the GISTDA web site at <www.gistda.or.th>. 2.2 Meteorological satellite infrastructure (space segment)

As one of the eight signatory countries of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA) Convention, signed in Beijing on 28 October 2005, Thailand received meteorological satellite data reception equipment from China in March 2006. The equipment, based on Digital Video Broadcast via Satellite (DVB-S) technology, would provide real-time data collected by China's Fengyun meteorological satellite series. The move aims to pool the meteorological information in the Asia-Pacific region and help reduce natural disasters and promote

Royal Thai Survey Department

Headquarter Section Academic Section Supporting SectionOperation Section

Financial Section

Budget Section

Internal Investigation

Legal Consultant

Personal Division

Planning & Project Division

Geography Division

Aviation & Arial Photo Division

Map Information Center

Mapping Division

Geodesy & Geophysics Division

Health-Care

Service Division

Printing Division Survey School

Satellite Application-Related Division

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social and economic prosperity in the region (People’s Daily Online 2006). 2.3 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

In Thailand, GISTDA is the only Thai space organization operating a ground receiving station for receiving data from ALOS, Landsat, Ikonos (with the cooperation of Space Imaging Southeast Asia), MODIS, NOAA, QuickBird, Radarsat and SPOT satellites. The location of the ground receiving station is at Ladkrabang, Bangkok. GISTDA has been providing satellite data and information to a large number of clients both in Thailand and worldwide for the monitoring and management of natural resources and the environment. The station has been archiving satellite images for more than 20 years within a footprint of 2,500 km, covering 17 countries in South-East Asia.

GISTDA is currently building its new ground receiving station and control station for the THEOS satellite in Sriracha, Chonburi. The stations will be fully operational in 2007.

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), based in Bangkok, also has a receiving system for MODIS satellite data. The received data at this station are forwarded to GISTDA for further processing.

3. Development-oriented information and communication technology programmes, services and applications

In cooperation with relevant departments of the government, the Asian Institute of Technology has developed, and made operational in December 2006, a state-of-the-art mobile wireless network that can be used to establish communication for emergency workers after a disaster. The network, developed with groups in France, Japan and other countries, will allow rescue teams at a disaster site to communicate even if conventional forms of communication break down (Terra Daily 2006). 4. Operational products and services and their major application fields

Products produced and disseminated in Thailand may include satellite data, map sheets, posters, books, and other value-added products. GISTDA provides all available products, developed in house or obtained from foreign sources, such as maps through its map-server. In the process of developing “Digital Thailand”, a national version of Digital Asia, GISTDA modified the NASA WorldWind in the Thai language for effective use by local authorities (Dowreang and Silapathong 2007).

The Defence Space Technology Centre is utilizing space information to produce value-added products for military use only. The Centre has a data warehouse, which contains images and digital maps, and some image-processing capabilities.

Revised maps utilizing satellite images are produced digitally at RTSD. The products are available to government departments free of charge, except for the cost of the medium. On-line service and data distribution will be launched soon.

Table 12. Products for disaster risk reduction

Title Geographical extent or surface area in km2

Objectives Generated products

Staff time

Name of other agencies involved in project/activity

Geo-Informatics Technology for Risk Area of Flood Management

Whole country To monitor flooded areas in Thailand.

Flooded area map

4 persons / 6 months

Royal Irrigation Dept., Meteorological Dept., Royal Forest Dept., Dept. of Water Resources, Department of Agriculture, Dept. of Mineral Resources, Dept. of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Guidelines for Community Management in Landslide Risk Areas of East Coast Gulf Watershed

East coast watershed

To create guidelines for community management in landslide risk areas.

Guidelines 2 per. / 12 mth.

Drought Monitoring Whole country To monitor drought areas in Thailand. Drought area 2 per. /

5 mth. Dept. of Water Resources, Royal Irrigation Dept.

Forest Fire Monitoring Whole country To monitor drought areas in Thailand Burned area 3 per. /

5 mth. Dept. of Natural Parks

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Table 13. Products for the environment and sustainable development

Title

Geographical extent or surface area in km2

Objectives Generated products

Staff time

Name of other agencies involved in project/activity

Mangrove, Beach Forest and Shoreline Change after Tsunami

Six southern provinces

To monitor changes in mangrove, beach forest and shoreline before and after the 2004 tsunami in six provinces bordering the Andaman Sea

Map

5 persons / 7 months

Dept. of Marine and Coastal Resources

The Use of Sea Surface Temperature Retrieved from ASTER Images to Determine Water Properties of the First Transition Period in the Upper Gulf of Thailand

Gulf of Thailand

To study water properties and to evaluate the potential benefit of ASTER data for oceanography

Sea surface map

2 per. / 12 mth.

Monitoring of Cadmium Contaminated Land by Using Integrated Spatial Data Techniques in Mae Taw Watershed

Tak province To monitor cadmium contamination Map 2 per. /

12 mth.

Table 14. Products for renewable natural resources management

Title

Geographical extent or surface area in km2

Objectives Generated products

Staff time

Name of other agencies involved in project/activity

Rain-Fed Rice Mapping Using Radarsat and Yield Prediction

Four provinces

To apply Radarsat imagery and related geoinformatic data for a study of rain-fed rice areas in four parts of Thailand

Map

4 persons / 12 months

Land Development Dept., Dept. of Agricultural Extension, Dept. of Agriculture. and Office of Agricultural Economics

Agriculture Land Reform Project

Whole country

To investigate the forest area in the national conservation forest that was designated as agricultural land reform area

Map 5 per. / 10 mth.

Agricultural Land Reform Office and Royal Forest Dept.

Multi-temporal Radarsat for Crop Mapping

Chiang Rai province

To apply Radarsat imagery and related geoinformatic data for a study of crop areas

Cropped area

2 per. / 12 mth.

Forest Change Detection of the Left Bank of Huai Tong Waet, National Conservation Forest

Ubon Ratchathani

To monitor forest change in the area

Change detection area

2 per. / 12 mth.

Mega-project Technique Support for a Case Study of Urban Development and Urban Expansion

Bangkok Metropolitan Area and neighbouring provinces

To classify land use change

Land use area

2 per. / 12 mth.

Chiang Mai Univ., Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning

Application of Satellite Images for Monitoring and Evaluating Opium Poppy Cultivation: Utilization of Ikonos Imagery

Chiang Mai province

To apply geoinformatic technology to develop a method for monitoring opium poppy areas

Opium poppy area

3 per. / 12 mth.

Expert Classification for Land Cover Mapping of Bang Pakong Watershed

Bang Pakong watershed

To generate expert classification for land cover mapping

Method 2 per. / 12 mth.

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23. VIET NAM Responding agency:

Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) 1. National space programmes and activities

1.1 National body for multisectoral coordination and collaboration in space technology applications

Currently, most of the space technology applications are handled by the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). However, in the near future, after its establishment, the role will be transferred to the Viet Nam Space Commission (VNSC). National Focal Point for RESAP:

Mr Nguyen Khoa Son Vice President Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road Cau Giay District Hanoi, Viet Nam Fax: +84-4-7562764 Tel.: +84-4-7561723 Email: nkson@vast.ac.vn

1.2 Political commitment and institutional aspects

1.2.1 National efforts in major priority areas and related mechanisms for implementation of legislation, policies and strategies

The Viet Nam Strategy for Research and Application on Space Technology until 2020 was approved by the Prime Minister on 14 June 2006. Under this framework, the Space Technology Institute (STI) was established in November 2006 by the Prime Minister’s Office and affiliated to the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology. STI is mandated (a) to research and develop satellite technology and applications in remote sensing, GIS and GPS, (b) to establish the infrastructure for space technology, (c) to promote education and training activities, and (d) to explore international cooperation.

The main space activities at VAST in 2007 are to carry out a feasibility study of the Viet Nam Earth Observation Small Satellite Project (VNSat) and to develop and submit a National Research Programme on Space Technology to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Under the Ministry of Posts and Telematics, Viet Nam has developed the Post and Telecommunications Development Strategy, in effect until 2010, and the Post and Telecommunications Development Orientation, in place until 2020. Further information is obtainable from <www.mpt.gov.vn>. 1.2.2 General information on national space activities

Key features of the Strategy on Research and Application on Space Technology: 2006-2020 are as follows:

• Enhancing the basic capacity for space technology applications; • Launching the first Viet Nam communication satellite, VINASAT-1; • Implementing the Remote Sensing Ground Receiving Station project; • Enhancing international cooperation and training in space technology.

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1.3 Major achievements, particularly those after 1997, in space technology applications for achieving internationally agreed development goals

Among the major achievements Viet Nam has accomplished since 1997 are the following:

• Used high-resolution meteorological satellite data received from GMS and NOAA satellites for daily weather forecasting; monitoring and analysing tropical typhoons; and monitoring monsoon and large rain-causing systems;

• Designed and fabricated a high-resolution GMS/MT-SAT/FY2 satellite receiving system, HRS-200;

• Used satellite information data and products for forest fire forecasting; • Used remotely sensed data and products for flood monitoring and mapping in the Mekong

River Delta and in the Red River Delta; • Created land-use maps at 1:250,000 scale for the whole country and at 1:100,000 and 1:50,000

scale for some regions; • Updated topographic maps at 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scale for numerous regions; • Analysed the influence of natural conditions on the distribution of rice cultivation in the

Mekong River Delta using radar and optical imagery combined with GIS; • Applied satellite and GIS data and products for change detection in land cover in the coastal

areas of Viet Nam. 1.4 National facilities and capabilities supporting operational uses of space technology for

achieving such development goals

Viet Nam currently has a meteorological satellite receiving system and an Earth observation satellite receiving station. 1.5 National policies on regional/international cooperation on space applications for

achieving such development goals

Viet Nam has been involved in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries and intergovernmental organizations in the space technology area. This cooperation includes several United Nations organizations such as the Office for Outer Space Affairs and ESCAP. 1.6 National education and training capability, including training programmes and/or

opportunities accessible to other developing countries

Remote sensing and GIS courses are taught throughout the country at several institutions, including the Geographical Department of Hanoi University of Science; at the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, at Hanoi University of Mines and Geology; at the University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City; and at the University of Technology, Viet Nam National University in Ho Chi Minh City. All these education programmes are made available to international students as well. 1.7 Major national journals and publications related to space technology applications, in

both local and foreign languages

Some of the major space technology journals published in Viet Nam include the following:

• Journal of Science and Technology, a VAST publication; • Journal of Marine Science and Technology, a VAST publication; • Journal of Sciences of the Earth, a VAST publication; • Natural Resources and Environment Magazine, a publication of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environment. 1.8 Major international/regional seminars, conferences and workshops organized in Viet

Nam between 1997 and 2006

In the 10-year period of 1997-2006, numerous international workshops were organized. Some of the important ones are listed below:

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• The sixth regional seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Ecosystem Management, Ho Chi Minh City, 3-7 November 1997;

• The Seventh Meeting of the Regional Working Group on Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems and Satellite-based Positioning, Hanoi, 25-27 June 2001;

• The Seventh Session of ICC on the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development, Hanoi, 28-30 June 2001;

• The Eighth Meeting of the Regional Working Group on Space Sciences and Technology Applications, Hanoi, 28-29 August 2003;

• The 26th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS2005), Hanoi, 7-11 November 2005; • ASEAN-SCOSA Workshop on Disaster Mitigation Using Remote Sensing and GIS, Hanoi,

16-17 February 2006; • Space Science Education Workshop and Space Education Forum, Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi

Minh City, 3-8 March 2006; • Modern Research and Investigation Methods for Geotechnical Engineering and Geosystem

Exploration, 26-30 June 2006. 1.9 Regional and international organizations on space technology applications of which Viet

Nam is a member

Listed hereunder are international organizations of which Viet Nam is a member:

• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); • Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS); • Group on Earth Observation (GEO); • ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Application (ASEAN-SCOSA); • Committee on Space Research (COSPAR); • Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS); • ESCAP Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP); • Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN); • Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); • Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP); • Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR).

1.10 Chart of national organizational structure on space technology applications, including

sections, major application fields, and linkages

The Government of Viet Nam consists of 26 ministries, and 13 organizations belonging to the Prime Ministry, of which the following are deeply involved in space technology applications:

• Ministry of Science and Technology; • Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; • Ministry of Post and Telecommunications; • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; • Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).

2. Earth observation satellite systems

2.1 Earth observation satellite infrastructure (space segment)

A feasibility study on launching a small observation satellite is underway. 2.2 Current and planned ground receiving and processing facilities, including relevant

products and services (Earth segment)

A remote sensing data receiving station in Hanoi has been established. The station uses multisensor receiving technology of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), to receive images from SPOT 2, 4, and 5 and Envisat (ASAR, MERIS).

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3. Satellite communications systems

In May 2006, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract by Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to provide a turnkey telecommunications satellite system, with operation slated to begin in the second quarter of 2008. Designated VINASAT-1, the satellite system will be based on Lockheed Martin’s A2100A spacecraft platform. The C/Ku-band hybrid satellite, designed for a minimum service life of 15 years, will be located in the geostationary orbital slot 132° East. 4. Other space application programmes

Viet Nam is constructing GPS applications in geodesy and has developed the Viet Nam geodetic system VN2000. 5. Operational products and services and their major application fields

Thematic maps at different scales for provinces, regions and the whole country have been constructed.

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ANNEX

National Focal Points for RESAP Australia Mr Alex Held CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications (COSSA) G.P.O. Box 3023 Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia Fax: +61-2-6246-5988 Tel.: +61-2-6246-5899 Email: Alex.Held@csiro.au Mr Adam Lewis Group Leader, Australian Centre for Remote Sensing Geoscience Australia G.P.O. Box 378 Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia Azerbaijan Mr Alchin Shirin-zadeh Director General National Aerospace Agency 159 Azadlyg Ave. Baku, AZ 1106, Azerbaijan Fax: +994-12-562 1738 Tel.: +994-12-562 9387 Email: a.shirin-zadeh@box.az Bangladesh Mr Md. Nazmul Huda Khan, Chairman Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) Mohakash Biggyan Bhaban, Agargaon Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh Fax: +880-2-811-3080 Tel.: +880-2-8141402 Email: admin@sparrso.org Bhutan Mr Dorji Tshering, Head Centre for GIS Coordination Department of Survey and Land Records Ministry of Agriculture P.O. Box 142, Kawajangsa Thimphu, Bhutan Fax: +975-2-323565 Tel.: +975-2-325219 Email: dorjitse@druknet.bt

China Mr Zhang Guocheng Director-General National Remote Sensing Centre of China Ministry of Science and Technology 15B Fuxing Road Beijing 100862, China Fax: +86-10-6851-3212 Tel.: +86-10-6853-9135 Email: zhanggc@nrscc.gov.cn, lijiahong@nrscc.gov.cn Fiji Mr Barma Nand, Director Department of Lands and Survey Ministry of Lands, Mineral Resources and Energy P.O. Box 2222, Government Buildings Suva, Fiji Fax: +679-3309331 Tel.: +679-3309331 Email: bnand@lands.gov.fj Hong Kong, China Mr C. Y. Lam, Director Hong Kong Observatory 134A Nathan Road, Kowloon Hong Kong, China Fax: +852-2311-9448 Tel.: +852-2926-8221 Email: dhko@hko.gov.hk India Mr G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Antariksh Bhavan, New Bel Road Bangalore 560 094, India Fax: +91-80-2341-5328 Tel.: +91-80-2341-5241 Email: chairman@isro.org Indonesia Mr Adi Sadewo Salatun, Chairman National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) P.O. Box 1020/JAT Jakarta 13220, Indonesia Fax: +62-21-489-4815 Tel.: +62-21-489-5040 Email: sadewo@lapan.go.id

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Iran (Islamic Republic of) Mr Ahmad Talebzadeh Vice-Minister and President Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Ministry of Information and Communication Technology No. 22, 14th Street, Saadat Abad Ave. Tehran 1994313 Islamic Republic of Iran Fax: +98-21-22064474 Tel.: +98-21-22093441 Email: talebzadeh@isa.ir Japan Mr Shoichiro Sakaguchi Director for International Space Cooperation Research and Development Bureau Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 2-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8959, Japan Fax: +81-3-6734-4150 Tel.:+81-3-5253-4111 Email: ssakagu@mext.go.jp Mr Makoto Kajii Associate Executive Director Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 1-6-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8260, Japan Fax: +81-3-6266-6908 Tel.: +81-3-6266-6220 Email: kajii.makoto@jaxa.jp Malaysia Ms Mazlan Othman Director General National Space Agency, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Paras 5, Block 2 Menara PjH, Presint 2 62100 Putrajaya, Malaysia Fax: +6(03) 8888 3478, +6012-2335898 Tel.: +6(03) 8888 8668 Email: mazlan@angkasa.gov.my Mongolia Mr Sodov Khudulmur, Director National Remote Sensing Centre Ministry for Nature and the Environment Khudaldanny Street 5 Ulaanbaatar 11, Mongolia Fax: +976-11-321-401, +976-11-329-968 Tel.: +976-11-329-984 Email: mtt@magicnet.mn, osm_infor@mongol.net

Myanmar U Tun Lwin Director General Department of Meteorology and Hydrology Office No. 5, Ministry of Transport Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar Fax: +95-1-665-944, +95-67-411449 Email: dg.dmh@mptmail.net.mm Nepal Mr Dibya Dev Bhatta Director General Department of Forest Research and Survey P.O. Box 3339, Babar Mahal Kathmandu, Nepal Fax: +977-1-4220-159 Tel.: +977-1-4220-493 Email: dfrs@ecomail.com.np, foresc@wlink.com.np Pakistan Mr Arshad Hussain Siraj Director General (Space Applications and Research) Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Sector 28, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Off University Road P.O. Box 8402 Karachi-75270, Pakistan Fax: +92-21-4644928 Tel.: +92-21-4650674 Email: dg.sr@suparco.gov.pk Philippines Mr Jose Edgardo L. Aban PCASTRD Senior Science Research Specialist Member of STCC-COSTA Technical Secretariat Department of Science and Technology DOST Building, Gen. Santos Ave. Bicutan, Taguig Metro Manila, Philippines Fax: +63-2-837-3168 Tel.: +63-2-837-7522 Email: jelaban@dost.gov.ph Republic of Korea Mr Jung Hee-Kwon Director, Space Technology Cooperation Team Ministry of Science and Technology Government Complex-Kwachon Kwachon, Kyunggi-do, 427-760 Republic of Korea Fax: +82-2-509-7799 Tel: +82-2-509-7800 E-mail: hkjung@most.go.kr

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Mr Rhiu Jeong-Joo Vice-President Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) P.O. Box 113 Yusungi Ku, Daejeon 305-600 Republic of Korea Fax: +82-42-860-2007 Email: jjrhiu@kari.re.kr Russian Federation Mr Yury I. Nosenko Deputy Head Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) 42 Schepkina Street Moscow Russia, GSP6, 107996 Fax: +7-495-688-9063, +7-495-975-4467 Tel.: +7-495-631-9660 Mr Anatoly E. Shilov Department Director Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) 42 Schepkina Street Moscow Russia, GSP6, 107996 Fax: +7-495-688-9063, +7-495-975-4467 Tel.: +7-495-631-9130 Singapore Mr Kwoh Leong Keong, Director Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP) National University of Singapore Blk. SOC1 Level 2, Lower Kent Ridge Road Kent Ridge 119260, Singapore Fax: +65-6792-3923 Email: lkkwoh@nus.edu.sg

Sri Lanka Mr S. Namasivayam Director/CEO Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies Katubedda, Moratuwa Sri Lanka Fax: +94-11-507-462 Tel.: +94-11-2650838 Email: dir@accmt.ac.lk Thailand Mr Thongchai Charuppat, Director Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency 196 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak Bangkok 10900, Thailand Fax: +66-2-561-3035 Tel.: +66-2-940-5653 Email: thongc@gistda.or.th Vanuatu Mr Michael Bakeoliu, Director Department of Land Surveys Private Mail Bag 024 Port Vila, Vanuatu Fax: +678-25973 Tel.: +678-22427 Viet Nam Mr Nguyen Khoa Son Vice President Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road Cau Giay District Hanoi, Viet Nam Fax: +84-4-7562764 Tel.: +84-4-7561723 Email: nkson@vast.ac.vn

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