News Mails - 2017

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ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL SPACE AGENCY FORUM (APRSAF)
News Mail No. 156 December 27, 2017
http://www.aprsaf.org/
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CONTENTS

[1] News on APRSAF Community

1) JAXA Astronaut Kanai Begins ISS Mission, Kibo-ABC scheduled in February

On December 17, 2017, JAXA astronaut Norishige Kanai was successfully launched to the ISS as an Expedition 54th/55th crewmember. In February 2018, he will conduct "Asian Try Zero-G 2018" experiments, including experiments proposed by Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. "Asian Try Zero-G" experiments aim to educate younger generations in the Asia-Pacific region. Other experiments to be conducted while aboard the ISS include medical experiments for aging research and a protein crystal growth experiment for new drug design.

References:
JAXA Press Release
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2017/12/20171217_53s.html
KUOA - Asian Try Zero-G
http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/tryzerog/
KUOA - News
http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/news/171225_items_launched.html

2) JAXA's Two Earth Observation Satellites, "SHIKISAI" and "TSUBAME," were launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 37 (H-IIA F37), with JAXA's newly developed Global Changing Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS) on board, was launched from JAXA's Tanegashima Space Center at 10:26:22 a.m. on December 23, 2017 (JST).
"SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) is carrying a SGLI (Second generation GLobal Imager), which records surface and atmospheric measurements related to the carbon cycle and radiation budget, such as clouds, aerosols, ocean color, vegetation, snow, and ice. The other satellite, "TSUBAME" (SLATS), is an engineering test satellite. Its acquired data will be used in the design of future super low altitude satellites, which will operate at altitudes lower than 300 km.

Reference:
JAXA Press Release
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2017/12/20171223_h2af37.html
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2017/12/20171224_shikisai_tsubame.html

3) UAE Launches Its Astronaut Programme

The UAE launched its first Astronaut programme dedicated to selecting and training four Emirati Astronauts on various space missions who will be heading to the International Space Station within the next five years. The programme is part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) initiatives, and will support the UAE's mission to become a hub for the region's space sector and a global leader in space exploration over the next 50 years.

References:
Government of Dubai Media Office News
http://mediaoffice.ae/en/media-center/news/6/12/2017/stronomy.aspx
MBRSC - UAE Astronaut Programme
https://mbrsc.ae/astronauts/en/astronauts

4) Indonesia LAPAN Successfully Conducted Two Sounding Rocket Test Flights

On December 7, 2017, LAPAN successfully carried out test flights for two experimental rockets, RX 450 and RX 1220. This activity took place at the Balai Tests Technology and Observation of Space and Atmospheric Garut, West Java.

References:
LAPAN News (in Indonesian)
https://www.lapan.go.id/index.php/subblog/read/2017/3982/Roket-RX-450-dan-RX-1220-Sukses-Meluncur/berita

5) International "Space Science and Technology" Conference in Vietnam Concludes

An international conference regarding "Space Science and Technology" was held from December 12-15 in Ho Chi Ming, Vietnam. The aim of this conference was to promote research activities on space science and technology in Vietnam and other Asian countries, and also to promote higher education, especially in the field of space science. Seventy people participated in the conference, including professionals in the space field and 22 undergraduate students of Space Engineering. Participants shared experiences and discussed collaborations to provide a clearer image of space science and technology developments in Vietnam, as well as a bigger picture of those fields in the Asia-Pacific region. The second conference is expected to take place next year in another ASEAN country.

Reference:
International Conference in Viet Nam: "SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY"
http://sst.phy.hcmiu.edu.vn/

[2] Event Calendar

- Geospatial for SDGs (GEO4SDGs)
(January 18-19, 2018, Hyderabad, India)
https://geospatialworldforum.org/geo4sdgs/index.asp#about

- COPUOS STSC 2018
(January 29 to February 9, Vienna, Austria)
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/current.html

- 10th Global Space Technology Convention (GSTC)
(February 1-2, 2018, Singapore)
https://www.space.org.sg/industry-programs/global-space-and-technology-convention

- Y-ISEF/I-ISEF - ISEF2 Side Events
(February 28, March 1, and March 3, 2018, Tokyo, Japan)
http://www.isef2-se.space/

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