• 

  Dr. P.G. Diwakar
  Director,
  Earth Observation & Disaster Management (EDPO),
  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• 

  Mr. HIRABAYASHI Takeshi
  Director for Satellite Applications,
  Satellite Applications and Operations Center, JAXA

APRSAF-25 was held in Singapore last year, when there were two important developments of SAWG. In the Sentinel Asia initiative, APRSAF-25 SAWG witnessed the establishment of the Ten-Year Strategic Plan of Sentinel Asia for the effective implementation of Step-3. In the SAFE initiative, the new framework SAFE Evolution was recognized at APRSAF-24 as a way forward for the enhancement of multilateral cooperation among space and international/regional agencies and the integration of related technologies. This year, the SAWG of APRSAF-26 scheduled to be held in Japan will be co-chaired by ISRO & JAXA. SAWG provides platforms for addressing common societal issues. Some of the important issues that are planned to be discussed and coordinated are:

• Accelerate to mobilize SAFE Evolution with two new SAFE projects (Agromet and rice crop monitoring to address the impact of climate change on food security) under multilateral cooperation with international funds.
• Discuss and launch a new SAFE Evolution project to create a documentary on Best Practices addressing disaster risk management and climate change monitoring showcasing potential space applications for SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Endorse the new SAFE Evolution TOR.
• Report the progress of the Ten-Year Strategic Plan and the status of Step-3.
• Report the regional satellite data sharing mechanism through multilateral collaboration for enhancing applications and shortening response time.

In addition to Sentinel Asia and SAFE Evolution, SAWG provides a strong international platform for demonstrating the potential of space application for SDGs, the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework in the Asia-Pacific region. The focus will be on the effective use of space technology in disasters, agriculture and water resources, as well as cross-cutting issues such as capacity building, knowledge sharing, IT and data platforms to bring the benefits of space technologies to societies. Reports on country status and achievements as well as the activities of international/regional agencies are expected to be presented.

We look forward to seeing you in Japan.

• 

  Dr. Pham Anh Tuan
  Director General,
  Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC),
  Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)

• 

  Dr. HARIGAE Masatoshi
  Director,
  Research Strategy Department,
  Research and Development Directorate, JAXA

The advancements made in space technology have become indispensable parts of our daily lives and have helped them become more prosperous and enhanced than ever before. However, the massive investments made in space technology are concentrated in the hands of a limited number of companies in some nations. These companies, such as GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon), are constructing space-based infrastructures, offering various services, and will likely be dominating the global economy and possibly also the space industry in the coming years. Space activities are making an economic impact on major players in America and Europe, whereas Asian companies are lagging behind those giants in international business development.

Under these circumstances, the Space Technology Working Group (STWG) feels a sense of urgency to push the enhancement and support the development of space technology and space industry activities in the Asia-Pacific region through active information exchange among experts from space agencies, academic institutions, as well as from the private sectors in this region.

The STWG of APRSAF-26, which is to be held in Japan, will be co-chaired by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It will provide an opportunity to discuss current cutting-edge technologies for stimulating space industry competitiveness, introducing space industry activities in this region – such as the emergence of New Space – that are supported by private funds as well as national funds, and various activities for sustainable space utilization under upcoming mega-constellation plans. The current status regarding the preparation of the “Joint Development of Innovative Small and Cube Satellites” proposed in APRSAF-24 will be also reported.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Japan and receiving exciting and new proposals on cutting-edge technologies and innovative programs that will spark conversations among participants. Let’s share and find a solution to our challenges to realize a prosperous Asia-Pacific region by using advanced space technologies.

• 

  Dr. Damrongrit Niammuad
  Director, Space Krenovation Park
  Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA)

• 

  Ms. OGAWA Shiho
  Director,
  Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, JAXA

The Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEUWG) is one of four working groups of the Asian-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) seeking to encourage Asia-Pacific countries to utilize the Japanese Experiment Module, or “Kibo,” onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Kibo is an existing and promising gateway to connect a unique space laboratory operating in a microgravity environment with researchers and scientists – both those who are already conducting investigations or those who have showed interest in initiating a new investigation onboard the ISS. With respect to deep space exploration toward the Moon, Mars and beyond, the SEUWG has been playing a key role as a cutting-edge capacity builder in the region for scientific and technological demonstration platforms in a low earth orbit (LEO).

Various space environment utilization projects have been successfully initiated, and many Asian satellites have been released into a LEO using the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) onboard the Kibo Exposed Facility. An Indonesian CubeSat is to be deployed as the third KiboCUBE satellite selected by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). These CubeSat programs involved engineers and researchers from across the Asia-Pacific region including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Using the Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism (ExHAM) on the Kibo Exposed Facility, Malaysia initiated a new dosimetry experiment, and dosimetry samples are currently undergoing testing in the Kibo laboratory for the measurement of radiation dosage. In Thailand, the Geo-informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) is proceeding with a Thai protein crystallization experiment onboard Kibo to develop medication against malaria.

Furthermore, with the aim of meeting the educational needs of regional societies, the SEUWG plays the role of a facilitator that focuses on the interests of young people through space-related programs such as Asian Try Zero-G and the Kibo-Robot Programming Challenge. By doing so, the SEUWG contributes to the creation of a talented workforce in the future and to the development of space applications.

We are very pleased to welcome many participants from all over the region to introduce various projects and future plans for Kibo utilization in the SEUWG sessions. Other than Kibo utilization, topics related to microgravity science are also welcome, such as parabolic flight experiments and sounding rocket experiments. Head toward a New Space Era with us! We look forward to sharing our future of space environment utilization for the Asia-Pacific region.

• 

  Mr. Krishna Raj Adhikary
  Chairman,
  Nepal Scientific Activities and Research Center (NESARC)

• 

  Ms. SASAKI Kaori
  Director,
  Space Education Center, JAXA

In order to build a safe, secure, prosperous and vibrant future, it is essential to promote the sound development of young people who will lead the next generation. Space activities have expanded the frontier of human activities and perspectives, and the Space Education Working Group (SEWG) acts as a guide to create and foster a culture of a space-age point of view and way of thinking; and to preserve and develop the benefits of space activities for the next generation. The WG nurtures the spirit of curiosity, adventure and creativity of young minds by connecting space professionals and education experts. The 21st century is an era in which a broad range of space-based possibilities are open for young people in the Asia-Pacific region. We continue to provide all possible assistance to them so that they can share and fulfill their dreams.

The SEWG organizes collaborative activities and also inspires the formation of space education policies of member countries by providing a forum for the exchange of information and opinions. Each year, the WG conducts an international Water Rocket Event that is attended by around 100 students and educators from more than 10 countries. The event provides an opportunity for students to study the principles of rocketry, compete in making and launching PET rockets; and it also fosters mutual understanding and friendship through cultural exchange. It is also an opportunity for teachers to advance the quality of their teaching. This year, the event will be held from November 22 to 24 in Sagamihara in Japan.

“See you in Space!” is the theme of this year’s Poster Contest. Children’s artwork full of imagination and dreams about space will be displayed at the plenary venue and the winners will be chosen by vote.

This year’s annual session of the SEWG will be an occasion to discuss case studies and the significance of the diverse development of space education, which provides appropriate assistance for the wide range of possibilities offered to the next generation. We will also share each country’s achievements and challenges, and discuss future courses of action for regional cooperation. In this regard, we expect this year’s session will be more active and constructive than ever by having even more diverse participants from space and educational fields. We hope that you will be joining us in Nagoya, Japan.