Awards

Winners

APRSAF Award Winners

2024
2023
2022
2021

2024

APRSAF Special Award for Long-term Contributions

Dr. Alex Held

Lead, AquaWatch Australia,
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia

Dr. Held with his over 30 years of expertise in space-related activities was instrumental in Australia’s commitment to APRSAF with CSIRO membership in 2004 and hosting APRSAF-11 in Canberra. He has contributed to APRSAF over 20 years, including his dedicated service as a Board Member of the SAFE (Space Applications For Environment) initiative in the advancement of satellite remote sensing applications. He also been an active member of the Sentinel Asia Project Team since its onset in 2005.

Dr. Rajeev Kumar Jaiswal

Scientist / Officer on Special Duty ISRO /
Department of Space Branch Secretariat

Dr. Jaiswal is recognized for his outstanding contributions to APRSAF through Earth observation based applications for the benefit of Asia-Pacific region. Since 2016, Dr. Jaiswal served as an ISRO delegate to support Space Applications Working Group (SAWG) activities. His dedicated coordination work for hosting APRSAF-24 in India contributed to its success and upholding both regional and global reputation of APRSAF. As a co-chair of the SAFE Executive Board from 2018 to 2023, he was pivotal in advancing the SAFE initiatives from its pilot phase to an effective multilateral regional cooperation framework. He has been active in creating synergies between APRSAF and other organizations like ESCAP and CEOS. He also played a crucial role in launching the Agromet project led by ISRO and shared its agrometeorological information with ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) in cooperation with JAXA.

Dr. KOHTAKE Naohiko

Professor,
Graduate School of System Design Management, Keio University

Prof. Kohtake is a leading researcher in the field of space systems and systems engineering. He has played a pivotal role in the Enhancement of Space Capability Working Group (SCWG), introducing the systems engineering and project management (SE/PM) approaches that have transformed the group's focus from knowledge-sharing to value co-creation. He has also been instrumental in advancing human resources development in the SCWG, bringing in various experts who hold prominence across Asia-Pacific countries. Additionally, he has made notable contributions to the Space Application Working Group by fostering innovation through the integration of earth observation and satellite positioning technologies. Currently, he serves as president of the Space Service Innovation Laboratory, a consortium of 13 university-based startups.

Mr. Leong Keong Kwoh

Director,
Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP), Singapore University.

Mr. Kwoh has been instrumental in the activities of the Space Applications Working Group (SAWG) since its early stages and is a key figure in the creating of both the Sentinel Asia and SAFE initiatives, bringing a wealth of knowledge and insight in remote sensing. One of his most significant contributions to APRSAF was the promotion and expansion of SAWG's outreach activities to ASEAN countries, which was accomplished during his tenure as Chairman of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Space Technology and Applications (ASEAN-SCOSA) from 2018 to 2020. Under his leadership, the APRSAF SAFE Agromet Project, designed to provide training to ASEAN countries on space-based agrometeorological information, was successfully carried out in 2019 and 2021 with funding from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). He also served as co-chair of SAWG during both APRSAF-18 and APRSAF-25, held in Singapore in 2011 and 2018, respectively.

Dr. Damrongrit Niammuad

Deputy Executive Director,
GEO-INFORMATICS AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (GISTDA)

Dr. Niammuad has been actively promoting the Space Applications Working Group (SAWG) activities, especially, in the field of integrated use of Earth observation (EO) data and GNSS in cooperation with Multi-GNSS Asia (MGA). As chair of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Space Technology and Applications (ASEAN-SCOSA), he was vital in facilitating demonstration and outreach of the SAWG activities in the ASEAN member countries. He provided strong supported for hosting APRSAF SAFE Agromet project training in Thailand and contributed to the implementation of the APRSAF SAFE rice crop project as ASEAN training project under the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) budget. He also served as past co-chair of SAWG when APRSAF-16 was held in Thailand in 2010.

Dr. Lal Samarakoon

Past co-chair of the Sentinel Asia Steering Committee

Dr. Samarakoon made sustained contributions to Sentinel Asia since its early days. He was integral in helping shape Sentinel Asia's analytic capabilities with his leadership and expertise by directing the Geoinformatics Center of the Asian Institute of Technology (GIC-AIT) to become the first Principal Data Analysis Node (PDAN) for Sentinel Asia. He was past co-chair of the SA Steering Committee from its inception in 2017 to 2022. He also contributed to formulate SAFE (Space Applications For Environment) projects under multilateral cooperation in Asia using his Asian connections, especially, the AIT alumni network. After leaving GIC-AIT, he continued to serve as SAFE and SAWG secretary team to coordinate and cooperate for SAFE projects and SAWG activities including Sentinel Asia and new applications using Earth observation (EO) satellites and GNSS. Dr. Samarakoon passed away in July 2024 and is missed by his family and the APRSAF community.

Mr. Koji Suzuki

Project Director,
Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC)

Mr. Suzuki has been a long-term contributor to Sentinel Asia since its establishment. When he was Executive Director of Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), one of the founding institutions of Sentinel Asia, he served as co-chair of the Sentinel Asia Steering Committee from 2017 to 2023. He brought together the committee members with his extensive knowledge and leadership for successful formulation of the Strategic Plan. He sensitized various disaster related stakeholders who were not familiar with space technologies the importance of leveraging satellite data for revolutionize emergency response to disaster.

2023

Asia-Pacific Region Excellence in Space Award

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

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

Biography

Mr. TANIGAKI Fumiaki

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

Biography

Mr. Paritat THEANTHONG

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

Biography

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

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

Dr. M. Rokhis Khomarudin

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

Biography

Dr. Rizatus Shofiyati

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

Biography

Dr. SOBUE Shinichi

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

Biography

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

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.