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APRSAF Award Winners

2023

Asia-Pacific Region Excellence in Space Award
Dr. Prakash CHAUHAN

Dr. Prakash CHAUHAN

Director, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC),
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Biography
Dr. CHAUHAN is recognized for his distinguished career of contributions to scientific advancement in the field of earth observation applications including development of algorithms for ocean color parameter retrieval, marine living resource assessment, aerosol remote sensing, river and reservoir water level estimation using space borne altimeters. His expertise also extends to exploration of lunar surface composition, derived from the data acquired from India’s Chandrayaan missions. In addition to his outstanding contributions in the field of remote sensing, as Director of UN-Centre of Space Science and Technology Education in Asia Pacific, he led regional efforts for capacity building to foster the next generation of space professionals. He also held leadership roles in various international fora including UN-COPUOS and International Ocean Colour Co-ordination Group (IOCCG).
APRSAF Space Achievement Award
Dr. Thomas DJAMALUDDIN

Dr. Thomas DJAMALUDDIN

Research Professor on Astronomy and Astrophysics,
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

Mr. TANIGAKI Fumiaki

Mr. TANIGAKI Fumiaki

Manager, JEM Utilization Center (Japanese Experiment Module Utilization Center),
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Mr. Paritat THEANTHONG

Mr. Paritat THEANTHONG

Senior Technical Officer,
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)

Dr. Djamaluddin, Mr. Tanigaki and Mr. Theangthong are recognized for their extensive contributions to the expansion of activities in the Space Frontier Working Group (SFWG) related to the utilization of the International Space Station/Kibo. Along with the SFWG, they have led the Kibo-ABC initiative consisting of space science and technology programs that have engaged and inspired a wide range of young researchers and students in the region. These programs include Space Seed for Asian Future, Asian Try Zero-G, and Kibo Robot Programming Challenge, providing opportunities for young generations to expand their passion for space science, develop expertise, and help them get international exposure to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. The awardees also contributed to the holding of the Kibo Utilization Workshops to discover potential space experiments. As a result of activities of the Kibo-ABC and the workshops, the scientific and technical utilization of Kibo has been realized in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and UAE.

For details of Kibo-ABC activities, please visit its website at:
https://www.aprsaf.org/initiatives/kibo_abc/
https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/biz-lab/kuoa/

APRSAF Space Achievement Award
Spiral Blue

Left to Right, Dr. Henry Zhong, Mr. James Buttenshaw, Mr. Taofiq Huq

Dr. Henry Zhong

Director and Head of AI
Spiral Blue

Mr. James Buttenshaw

Chief Technology Officer
Spiral Blue

Mr. Taofiq Huq

Founder and CEO
Spiral Blue

Biographies of the Spiral Blue team members

Mr. Taofiq HUQ, Dr. Henry ZHONG and Mr. James BUTTENSHAW who are the founding members of Spiral Blue – an Australian earth observation services company – are recognized for developing an onboard satellite image data processing hardware which has been tested in low Earth orbit and made operational in April 2023. Instead of downlinking high volumes of raw data back to the Earth, realization of “space edge computing” can reduce the opportunity costs associated with bandwidth resources and further widen the scope for more diverse use of on-board application. Their product is the first of its kind in Australia. The success made by the awardees who are all in their 30s has also inspired young researchers and entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific region.

2022

Asia-Pacific Region Excellence in Space Award

There is no winner.

APRSAF Space Achievement Award
NAKASUKA

Dr. M. Rokhis Khomarudin

Research Professor,
Research Center for Remote Sensing,
Research Organization for Aeronautics and Space,
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

NAKASUKA

Dr. Rizatus Shofiyati

Senior Researcher,
Research Center for Geospatial,
Research Organization for Earth Sciences and Maritime,
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

NAKASUKA

Dr. SOBUE Shinichi

ALOS-2 Mission Manager,
Satellite Applications and Operations Center,
Space Technology Directorate I,
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Dr. M. Rokhis Khomarudin, Dr. Rizatus Shofiya and Dr. SOBUE Shinichi are core members of the Space Applications for Environment (SAFE), one of the APRSAF initiatives. SAFE was designed to make use of various data and information including satellite based remote sensing, satellite navigation, ground-based information and ICT to contribute to the realization of sustainable and secure society in the region.

The awardees have especially engaged in the SAFE prototype projects in the field of agriculture and have helped various Asian organizations design, formulate, implement and conclude their projects. These accomplishments have provided opportunities to many regional agencies to customize and adopt remote sensing technology for their national level applications. Furthermore, they have created a valuable network for strengthening the regional collaboration, which is the driving force of APRSAF.

For details of awardees’ activities, please refer to their bios.
For details of SAFE activities, please visit its website at:
https://www.aprsaf.org/initiatives/safe/

2021

Asia-Pacific Region Excellence in Space Award
NAKASUKA

Dr. NAKASUKA Shinichi

Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Biography (English) Biography (Japanese)
Dr. NAKASUKA was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the development of space applications such as CanSats, CubeSats and micro/nano-satellites, which have had profound impact on space-related activities in the Asia-Pacific region and around the globe. He has also contributed to the development of the next generation of aerospace professionals by being a strong advocate of the importance of higher education. He also serves as the General Chair of the University Space Engineering Consortium – Global (UNISEC – Global). For more information on his career and achievements, please refer to his biography.
APRSAF Space Achievement Award

There is no winner.

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