The 28th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-28) was co-hosted in Hanoi, Vietnam by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for 4 days from November 15 to 18, 2022, under the theme “Bridging Space Innovations Opportunities for Sustainable and Prosperous Future”.

The forum was held onsite for the first time in 3 years after the COVID-19 pandemic with a total of 359 participants (97 online participants) from 36 countries/regions and 4 international organizations. Participants from both local and global expressed their joy that the event was finally held onsite after 3 years and also their high expectations for APRSAF as a venue for Public-Private networking.

The meeting of the 5 Working Groups was also held onsite (partially online). Working Groups, which have been carrying out their activities in alignment with the “Nagoya Vision” adopted in Nagoya in 2019, shared the progress of activities and summarized the outcome in a “Joint Statement.”

• 1. Plenary
• 2. Results of Working Groups, Initiatives and Workshop
• 3. Events during APRSAF-28

1. Plenary

The two-day plenary session opened with a message from Dr. Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), and a video message from Ms. NAGAOKA Keiko, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. It was held under the themes of: 1) "Satellite Applications Challenge for Space Innovation in Asia Pacific Region" and 2) "Creating an Environment for Innovation to Realize a Sustainable and Prosperous Future" among others, and the participants acknowledged the progress of space activities in the Asia-Pacific region through discussions with various participants outside the space sector. The following is a report on each session.

(1) Session 1: Satellite Applications Challenge for Space Innovation in Asia Pacific Region

With VNSC (Vietnam) and GISTDA (Thailand) as moderators, the Cabinet Office of Japan, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Space Agency (ASA) and the Philippines Space Agency (PhilSA) discussed the possibility of integrated utilization of information obtained from earth observation and positioning satellites to contribute to the resolution of social issues as well as to the sustainable social and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) commented on the usefulness of satellite data utilization for solving common regional issues.

(2) Country Report

Reports were shared from 18 countries on their latest activities, future plans, and policy initiatives such as industrial development.

(3) Report by International Organization

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank shared information on the status of their activities and expressed their hopes for cooperation with APRSAF and space agencies and for further utilization of space technologies.

(4) Report by Working Groups, Initiatives and Workshop

Each Working Groups and Initiatives delivered the summary of the meetings held for 2 days from 15 to 16 November.

(5) Session 2: Creating an Environment for Innovation to Realize a Sustainable and Prosperous Future

With panelists from Australia and Japan, this session compared the backgrounds and characteristics of each country, as well as the issues and challenges they face, regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each country in space innovation and the role of the government side (government and space agencies) in space innovation. Discussions were also held to ask what the optimal space innovation should be for each country. Furthermore, panelists exchanged opinions on common issues that players in the Asia-Pacific region should work together and discussed the possibility and significance of partnerships across the region to deal with common issues in the region.

(6) Roundtable

At the Roundtable, the heads and representatives of space agencies from 11 countries shared the recognition of the importance of following 2 points as expectations for APRSAF’s future activities and summarized them in a “Joint Statement.”

1. The importance of increasing roles of governments in enhanced communication with the Private Sector to promote the development of Private Sector for (creating opportunities for) “Space Innovation”
2. The acceleration of the participation of diverse players and the involvement of next generations into the relevant space activities in the region

(7) APRSAF Awad

2023 APRSAF Space Achievement Award (Achievement Award) was awarded to
Dr. M. Rokhis Khomarudin, BRIN (Indonesia),
Dr. Rizatus Shofiyati, BRIN (Indonesia), and
Dr. SOBUE Shinichi, JAXA (Japan) for their significant contribution to SAFE projects.

(8) Outcome Document

The “APRSAF-28 Joint Statement”, summarizing the discussions at APRSAF-28, was adopted as the outcome document.

(9) Networking Support

For the first time in its history, APRSAF provided participant networking support as there were many requests for an exchange of opinions on-site, as well as requests for introductions of their own company or other companies. APRSAF built and supported a platform that allows the participants (120 participants) to contact each other directly.

2. Results of Working Groups, Initiatives and Workshop

The following are the results of the discussions in each Working Group and workshop as reported in the plenary session.

(1) Satellite Applications for Societal Benefit Working Group, SAWG

The participants shared the status of multilateral cooperation of satellite data utilization for Sentinel Asia (disaster management) and SAFE (climate change adaptation). SAWG adopted a proposal from VNSC for the SAFE CH4Rice project, which aims to understand water usage related to methane emissions from paddy fields. SAWG decided to continue to study the possibility of integrated use of information obtained from earth observation satellites and positioning satellites.

(2) Enhancement of Space Capability Working Group, SCWG

In order to contribute to strengthen the space technology infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region, participants exchanged information on small satellite-related technologies and issues as new technology trends, as well as shared the effectiveness and practical examples of System Engineering and Project Management (SE/PM). Furthermore, each country shared their active efforts and issues regarding Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) under the theme of "Safe and Sustainable Space Activities."

(3) Space Education for All Working Group, SE4AWG

In collaboration with higher educational institutions (The University of Tokyo, UNISEC), SE4AWG, for the first time, organized the “Regional Space Education Congress”, which is to collect practical examples of space educations conducted at higher education institutes in the Asia-Pacific region, in the aim of contributing to the human resource development of next generations in the region. Along with the event, SE4AWG set up a session on activities for young people involved in space education (Activities for Youth Empowerment). APRSAF-28 Water Rocket Event was held online. APRSAF-28 Poster Contest was held both onsite and online in the hybrid format. Regarding the Water Rocket Event, it has been hosted by JAXA since 2005 (from APRSAF-12) to provide the opportunity for young children to learn making things and science and technology through water rockets and also to deepen international exchange. However, as it is considered that the event can be taught and managed at each county as independent efforts, it was decided that the APRSAF Water Rocket Event would end this year.

(4) Space Frontier Working Group, SFWG

SFWG actively promoted the cooperation using inside and outside “Kibo (Low Earth Orbit)” module to science, technology and human development. Indonesia, Thailand, and Taiwan presented their future Kibo utilization plans and mission proposals. SFWG also shared the achievements of Kibo-ABC's various programs, which have seen a dramatic increase in the number of participating countries and regions, and the status of activities of each organization, received requests from several countries to participate in the next round and discussed future plans. In addition to the latest trends in international exploration projects, SFWG also provided a forum for sharing the efforts and interests of industry and universities.

(5) Space Policy and Law Working Group, SPLWG

With the aim of improving the space law policy capacity of each country, SPLWG exchanged information on policy options for common regional issues and tried to strengthen the space policy and law community. SPLWG engaged in exchanging information on the latest trends in space laws and policies in the region, the NSLI activities of its second phase, the implementation status of each country's Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) guidelines for space activities, and global issues such as the SDGs. For the first time, this WG also provided a opportunity for space law and policy researchers of next generations to present their research findings. In addition, it was confirmed that the WG will continue to share information and exchange opinions regarding the SDGs, and that the WG will engage in more diverse participants in its activities.

(6) Space Industry Workshop: SIWS

At the Workshop, a wide range of Public and Private organizations and members from legacy companies to start-up companies, from Asia-Pacific region to global players, gathered and had lively discussions. With the aim of increasing momentum for the promotion of the space industry, current activities and issues/expectations regarding cooperation were shared in the four panel discussions and roundtables. The Space agency and the Private Sector exchanged opinions on their respective roles and expected activities. The Space Agency recognized the direction of future policies, and the Private Sector understood the direction of future business development.

3. Events during APRSAF-28

(1) Exhibition

Exhibition booths were set up at the plenary venue to provide companies, which applied to the APRSAF-28 Exhibition, with opportunities to introduce themselves. Some companies also gave Keynote speeches at the SIWS.

1)

Sodern (France)

2)

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (United Kingdom)

3)

The Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (SJAC)
APAQG (Asia Pacific Aerospace Quality Group) (Japan)

4)

National Space Organization (Taiwan)

5)

IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd. (Japan)

6)

DigitalBlast Inc. (Japan)

7)

Vegastar Technology Co., Ltd. (Vietnam)

(2) Side Event

Within 1 month before and after APRSAF-28, various side events were held onsite (or online) by the following organizers (planned and operated by the organizers).

1)

Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (United States)
“Bridging Space Innovations Opportunities: Perspectives on Asia Pacific Experiences“

2)

Space Generation Advisory Council (Australia, Japan)
“Space4Diversitiy: Promoting Diversity in the Asia-Pacific Space Sector”

3)

Asia Pacific Oceania Space Association (APOSA) (India)
“Cosmic Sandbox S01E03 | Space4Climate“

4)

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) (International Organization)
“UNOOSA Capacity-Building Activities and Collaborations for Asia and the Pacific Region”

5)

NSPO (National Space Organization) (Taiwan)
“Expanding Open Data Cube (ODC) Applications in Asia-Pacific Region“

The APRSAF-29 (2023) will be held in Indonesia, and the APRSAF-30 (2024) will be held in Australia.