APRSAF-24

Message from co-chairs of Space Applications Working Group (SAWG)

• 

  Mr. Shantanu Bhatawdekar
  Director,
  Earth Observation System,
  ISRO Headquarters

• 

  Mr. Kazuo Tachi
  Technical Counselor/Senior Chief Officer of Satellite Systems Development and Senior Chief Officer of Satellite Applications,
  Space Technology Directorate I,
  JAXA

The Space Applications Working Group (SAWG) has fostered enhanced cooperation among space organizations and user agencies in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as with development aid agencies and international organizations, through the promotion of the sustainable operation of space applications. The SAWG initiatives—Sentinel Asia for disaster monitoring and Space Applications for Environment (SAFE)—for environmental applications including agriculture (GEOGLAM-Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring), integrated water and land resource management, are also implemented to better serve end users in the Asia-Pacific region.

The activities of SAWG and the two initiatives are in an advanced phase of maturity as a technical demonstration of Earth observation. The SAWG, to be co-chaired by ISRO and JAXA in Bengaluru, India, provides an opportunity to discuss how to develop value benefit to Asia-Pacific society under regional cooperation and international frameworks such as the Sendai framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and others. Also, there will be discussions on identifying future actions to further the SAWG’s goal of capacity development and knowledge sharing in the Asia-Pacific region through training and workshops as well as sharing societal benefits with citizens through the synergistic and integrated application of key and new space technologies such as the integrated use of multiple satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) with Internet of Things (IoT). Fostering enhanced cooperation with participating organizations is critical, and the SAWG welcomes active participation and contribution.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Bengaluru to discuss the latest space applications supporting a safe and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

Message from co-chairs of Space Technology Working Group (STWG)

• 

  Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai
  Director,
  ISRO Satellite Center (ISAC)

• 

  Mr. Ryoichi Imai
  Vice President /Director General of Research and Development Directorate,
  JAXA

The Space Technology Working Group (STWG) aims to enhance and support space technology development in the Asia-Pacific region by exchanging information among experts from space agencies, academic institutions and private sectors in the region.

In APRSAF-24, the STWG will exchange information and discuss the topics below based on a previous STWG recommendation. In addition, we expect participants to actively engage in the discussion to promote future collaborative activities on small satellites, which will be proposed by us.

Through these exchanges, the STWG would like to enhance solidarity in the region and trigger a rise in the momentum toward even fuller cooperation.

Recent trends in technology development for satellites

Governments, institutes and space agencies are mainly expected to present information on their own nations’ current trends in space technology development, with the main topics being: (a) The current and future space technology development roadmap and its function; and (b) Advanced, cutting-edge and innovative technologies (such as satellite bus, devices, components or relevant facilities).

Capacity building

Focusing on capacity building at the “higher education” (university or working engineer) level, relevant educational entities such as national institutes or universities are expected to present their capacity-building programs.

Industry participation for innovation

Industries including small and medium enterprises, and/or governments, institutes and space agencies that support such industries are mainly invited. Presenters will be expected to introduce advanced, cutting-edge, and innovative technologies that are expected to be applied commonly or to solve common technological barriers in the region.

Space debris

This session will share space debris countermeasures that governments, institutes or space agencies in the region are taking. Nations that launch satellites, and institutes or agencies from spacefaring nations are most welcome at this presentation.

Collaborative development of small satellites in the Asia-Pacific region

We will propose collaborative activities on small-satellite development under the STWG, which aims to pool the great capacities of various entities and create a new concept satellite with innovative technologies.

Message from co-chairs of Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEUWG)

• 

  Dr. Seetha Somasundaram
  Programme Director,
  Space Science Office,
  ISRO Headquarters

• 

  Mr. Fumiaki Tanigaki
  Associate Senior Engineer,
  Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Utilization Center,
  Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate,
  JAXA

The Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEUWG) aims to encourage countries in the Asia-Pacific region to utilize the Japanese Experiment Module, also known as “Kibo” (which means “hope” in Japanese), currently onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Kibo Module is a human space facility that provides unique research capabilities in a microgravity environment. Various scientific and engineering research activities are conducted on Kibo to take advantage of the exceptional environment offered in the fields of life science, medical science, materials science, space environment monitoring, astronomical observation, Earth observation, and demonstrations of advanced technologies.

One key capability of the Kibo module is small-satellite deployment using the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD), which started in 2012. Almost 200 satellites have been deployed from Kibo, and the deployment system has been attracting global attention as a new space transportation system for satellites.

The Kibo module includes an exposed facility designed for various research projects including the development and testing of new materials. The Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) provides easier and more frequent opportunities for small-sized technical demonstrations or experiments (e.g. material exposure, and small device tests for satellite development).

The unique and unparalleled capability onboard Kibo is currently gaining wide attention from Asia-Pacific nations.

For the SEUWG, presentations on current activities and interesting utilization ideas/proposals are welcome for submission to the working group. Topics of space environment utilization other than Kibo utilization are also welcome. Through discussion, the SEUWG aims to contribute to building cooperative projects for Kibo utilization and to provide a variety of benefits for the Asia-Pacific region.

We welcome the participation of many countries from the region and look forward to sharing and discussing the future of space environment utilization in the Asia-Pacific region.

Message from co-chairs of Space Education Working Group (SEWG)

• 

  Dr. A. Senthil Kumar
  Director,
  Indian Institute of Remote Sensing
  (IIRS)

• 

  Dr. Nozomu Sakuraba
  Director,
  Space Education Office
  (Space Education Center),
  JAXA

The goal of the Space Education Working Group (SEWG) is to develop a talented future workforce through space education activities. Our actions are intended to shape the futures of not just the children of the Asia-Pacific region, but of those all over the world.

Space-related learning materials go beyond aiding the acquisition of scientific knowledge and technology; these materials intrigue people and heighten their motivation to learn. Our desire is to share learning materials, learning methods, and achievements in teaching, and for the resulting knowledge and insights to be taken back to each participant’s home country. This working group conducts the Water Rocket Event and the Poster Contest, and throughout the APRSAF conference period, it also serves as a platform for current educators to network and exchange information. In nurturing the talent of the next generation, it is essential to elevate teachers in terms of quality. We must support teachers—current and future—to improve the state of education by using space as a learning material, and realize their own potential to implement ever better learning activities.

In our annual meetings, the SEWG strives to deepen discussions on how to stimulate young minds and create appealing learning opportunities. The distance to our goals can best be traversed through open and flexible cooperation. We ask that working group participants volunteer information about space education activities in their countries. With a shared knowledge base about what sort of learning materials are effective, how young minds undergo a transformation, and by what means the caliber of teachers can be raised, we can assuredly be an asset to education reform everywhere. Space science and space technology exist to brighten our future. Our greatest desire is to further energize space education, and to share what we know with other working groups in the process.