News Mails - 2007
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1. [[Hot Topic 1]]
CanSat as the Road to Nano-Satellite Development: university students, educators and space experts gather at the International CanSat Workshop, Japan - Feb 23-24, 2007
2. [[Hot Topic 2]]
First Announcement of the 3rd Sentinel Asia Joint Project Team Meeting (JPTM), Singapore - March 13-15, 2007
3. [[Hot Topic 3]]
Activities of the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES), Malaysia in 2007
- Message from the Director, Dr. Darus Ahmad of MACRES -
4. [[Hot Topic 4]]
Workshop Report "3rd MODIS Workshop", Thailand - Jan 15-16, 2007
5. [[Hot Topic 5]]
JAXA Advanced Training, Japan - Jan 9-28, 2007
6. [[Asian Space Update 2]]
The Beidou-4, navigation experimental satellite, successfully launched, China - Feb 3, 2007
7. [[Event Information and APRSAF Website Update- February- March - April 2007]]
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1. [[Hot Topic 1]]
CanSat as the Road to Nano-Satellite Development: university students, educators and space experts gather at the International CanSat Workshop, Japan - Feb 23-24, 2007
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"CanSat" is a nano-scale satellite model weighing 350 to 1050 g, which provides excellent training opportunities for those who wish to pursue careers that involve satellite design, fabrication and operation. There are currently a few CanSat experiment events held in the United States on an annual basis, and the CanSat comeback competition has been held in Japan and the United States with the participation of an increasing number of universities. Several European institutes and universities have also expressed their interest in organizing national CanSat competitions in their respective countries.
Recognizing the unique training opportunities that "CanSat"activities could offer to young people, the Space Education and Awareness Working Group of APRSAF agreed at its last meeting that CanSat activities could be carried out within the framework of APRSAF for university and graduate students as well as young professionals.
As one of the actions resulting from that agreement, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), in cooperation with the University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC) will organize an International CanSat Workshop from 23-24 February, 2007 in Tokyo, Japan. The workshop will be held also in the framework of the International Space Education Board (ISEB), consisting of Canadian Space Agency, the French Space Agency (CNES), the European Space Agency, JAXA and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
Among other things, the Workshop will provide opportunities to learn about the latest CanSat technologies, to exchange visions and future plans for CanSat activities in Europe, North America as well as Asia and the Pacific, and to discuss the convening of a global CanSat competition.
International CanSat Workshop:
http://unisec.jp/cansatwswiki/index.php/%E3%83%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8
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2. [[Hot Topic 2]]
First Announcement of the 3rd Sentinel Asia Joint Project Team Meeting (JPTM), Singapore - March 13-15, 2007
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The 3rd Sentinel Asia Joint Project Team Meeting (JPTM) for establishing the Disaster Management Support System in the Asia-Pacific Region will be held from March 13-15, 2007 in Singapore. The 3rd JPTM is organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) and the Center for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP), National University of Singapore (NUS).
The objectives of the meeting are: to promote the use of Sentinel Asia which has already been in its operational phase, to review the progress since the completion of the 2nd JPTM during June 2006, and to confers on the Joint Project Team members' correspondence to the recommendations raised at the 13th APRSAF which was held last December in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Any inquiries about the 3rd JPTM, please contact the 3rd JPTM
Secretariat at:
TEL: +81-3-5561-4533
E-mail: jptm3@restec.or.jp
Meeting Secretariat: Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC)
3rd JPTM:
http://www.aprsaf.org/initiatives/sentinel_asia/wg_meeting_singapore.php
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3. [[Hot Topic 3]]
Activities of the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES), Malaysia in 2007
- Message from the Director, Dr. Darus Ahmad of MACRES -
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New Year Message from MACRES, Malaysia:
- Dr. Darus Ahmad, the Director of MACRES -
The Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES), a research and development centre under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), is responsible for the development of remote sensing and related technologies and the operation of their applications in user agencies for management of natural resources, environment and disasters, as well as strategic planning of the nation. In 2007, MACRES will continue to implement its four core activities and technology promotions: application development, technology development and basic research, human resource and infrastructure capacity building, and user-services
The application development focuses on the development of application packages for the operation of remote sensing and related technologies in the areas of natural resources and environmental, disaster and security management. Among others, the application packages that are being developed include National Resources and Environmental Management (NAREM) System, Disaster Management, Precision Farming and Monitoring of Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
MACRES will continue to embark on technology development and basic research programs in order to attain capabilities in selected remote sensing technology areas which include microwave remote sensing. In remote sensing data reception, MACRES Ground Receiving Station will continue to subscribe to Radarsat-1, and Spot 2, 4 and 5, NOAA, Terra/Aqua (MODIS) and IRS (OCM) satellites to fulfill the needs of the country. IKONOS and QuickBird data are also being acquired through other ground stations outside the country. In fulfilling the needs of users in both government and private sectors, MACRES will conduct relevant training programs comprising a 2-month Basic Remote Sensing Course and customized courses to meet specific users' requirements.
MACRES Website:
http://www.macres.gov.my/
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4. [[Hot Topic 4]]
Workshop Report "3rd MODIS Workshop", Thailand - Jan 15-16, 2007
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The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency in Thailand (GISTDA) in cooperation with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) of the University of Tokyo and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) jointly held the 3rd MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, a key instrument aboard the Terra (EOS AM) and Aqua (EOS PM) satellites) Workshop on Monitoring and Modeling of Environment and Disaster in Asia from January 15-16, 2007 at Rama Garden Hotel, Bangkok. The objectives were to expand the use of MODIS data and to provide a forum for sharing new experience of using MODIS data to monitor environment and disaster especially for droughts and floods which are severe problems in many Asian countries. Total participants were 140 from both Thai and international agencies.
The workshop was composed of four sessions:
Session 1 and 2: Forest fire monitoring & modeling
Session 3: Flood and environmental monitoring & modeling
Session 4: Drought and environmental monitoring & modeling
Dr. Lal Samarakoon, Director, Geoinformatics Center, School of Advanced Technologies of AIT gave a message on this workshop:
"The 3rd MODIS Workshop demonstrates application of data in practical use for benefits to our society and each year we could see new applications and new users attending the workshop to witness the potentials of MODIS data. It will be great if GISTDA, JST, IIS and AIT collaboration can further support the enthusiasm of participants to bring valuable results to Thailand and neighboring countries."
3rd MODIS Workshop:
http://www.gistda.or.th/Gistda/HtmlGistda/Html/index2.htm
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5. [[Hot Topic 5]]
JAXA Advanced Training, Japan - Jan 9-28, 2007
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The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) held its Advanced Training in Japan from January 9-29, 2007 inviting 19 Asian governmental employees from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The purpose of the Advanced Training was to develop human resources in the Asian countries who need to use satellite data and master some knowledge useful for the establishment of the disaster prevention system in their country. It was, also, aimed at developing human resources who would be involved in the Sentinel Asia Project for Disaster Management Support System.
19 trainees attended the GEOSS Symposium on Integrated Observation for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region (GEOSS AP Symposium) held in Tokyo, Japan, and some of them made a presentation in the symposium, which might lead to positive participation of administration officials in Asian countries to the GEOSS.
GEOSS AP Symposium:
http://www.prime-intl.co.jp/geoss/
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6. [[Asian Space Update]]
The Beidou-4, navigation experimental satellite, successfully launched, China - Feb 3, 2007
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China successfully launched its navigation experimental satellite Beidou-4 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 0:28 a.m. on
February 3 (Beijing Time) and then confirmed its entry into the scheduled geosynchronous transfer orbit. At present, there are three
Beidou navigation experimental satellites in orbit and they are operating well.
China in establishing the Compass Navigation Satellite System on the basis of the Beidou satellite navigation experimental system and it will gradually extend to be a global satellite navigation and positioning system after network building and experiments.
CHINA View
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/03/content_5689019.htm
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7. [[Event Information and APRSAF Website Update - February- March - April 2007]]
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* Feb 19-21, 2007
APCO Australasia 2007 Conference and Exhibition
Queensland, Australia
http://www.intergraph.com/events/APCO_2007/default.asp
* Feb 21-23, 2007
Inaugural IEEE International Digital EcoSystems Technologies Conference, Cairns, Australia
http://www.ieee-dest.curtin.edu.au/
* Feb 22-24, 2007
Workshop on Spatial Data Infrastructure Pathumthani, Thailand
http://www.geoinfo.ait.ac.th/news_announcements.php
* Feb 23-24, 2007
International CanSat Workshop Tokyo, Japan
http://unisec.jp/cansatwswiki/index.php/%E3%83%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8
* March 5-8, 2007
CARIS 2007 - 11th International User Group Conference and Educational
Sessions Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
http://www.caris.com/conferences/caris2007/
* March 12-14, 2007
International Conference on Water and Flood Management (ICWFM) Dhaka, Bangladesh
http://teacher.buet.ac.bd/icwfm/index.htm
* March 21-22, 2007
CRCSI Workshop: Geophysical Image Processing Sydney, Australia
http://www.crcsi.com.au/pages/CalendarDetails.aspx?tabid=1&AVCalendarPage=1&Mid=1&ItemID=106&viewdate=21%20March%202007
* March 21-23, 2007
3rd Asian Space Conference Singapore
http://pdcc.ntu.edu.sg/ASC2007/
* March 27-30, 2007
Asia Modeling Symposium (ASM 2007) Phuket, Thailand
* April 1, 2007
Mapping & 3D Information Extraction from High Resolution Sat. Imagery Sydney, Australia
Contact: training@crcsi.com.au
* April 2-3, 2007
Australian Water Summit Sydney 2007 Sydney, Australia
http://www.acevents.com.au/water2007/
* April 4-6, 2007
Location Asia 2007 Hong Kong, China
http://www.location.net.in/
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Copyright 2006 The APRSAF Secretariat
APRSAF Secretariat