1. APRSAF-27 Updates

1) APRSAF-27 to be held from October 27 to 30, 2020, in Hanoi, Vietnam

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) along with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will jointly organize APRSAF-27 in Hanoi, Vietnam, October 27 to 30, 2020. Information about APRSAF-27 will be posted on the APRSAF website in due course. https://www.aprsaf.org/

2. News from APRSAF Community

1) Indian "Gaganyaan" Space Astronauts to Start Training
On January 15, 2020, Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for the Department of Space and Atomic Energy, said that the training of the astronauts for India's first human space mission will take place in Russia. Four astronauts have been selected for the mission, he added.

Reference:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1599514
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iaf-completes-first-level-of-selecting-astronauts-for-gaganyaan-mission-from-its-test-pilots-pool/article29361851.ece

2) Second Edition of UAE Astronaut Programme Launched
On December 6, 2019, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, instructed the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to open registrations for a new edition of the UAE Astronaut Programme. The second edition of the programme is designed to prepare and train Emiratis for space travel for multiple scientific missions.

Reference:
https://www.mbrsc.ae/astronaut-programme
https://www.thenational.ae/uae/science/wanted-a-new-uae-astronaut-1.947799

3) Indian PSLV Successfully Launches RISAT -2BR1 and 9 Commercial Satellites on its 15th Flight
On December 11, 2020, India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its 15th flight (PSLV-C48), successfully launched RISAT-2BR1 along with nine commercial satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.

Reference:
https://www.isro.gov.in/update/11-dec-2019/press-release-pslv-successfully-launches-risat-2br1-and-nine-commercial
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/12/indian-pslv-launch-risat-2br1-military-satellite/

4) China Successfully Launches the Beidou-3G2Q
On March 9, 2020, China launched a new navigation satellite on Monday, with the Beidou-3G2Q mission launching from the LC2 Launch Complex of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan province, using a Long March-3B/G2 (Chang Zheng-3B/G2) launch vehicle.

Reference:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/03/long-march-3b-launches-beidou-3g2q/
http://www.beidou.gov.cn/yw/xwzx/202003/t20200309_20144.html

3. Event Calendar

- The Economist's Space Summit 2020
(March 19, 2020, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Australia)
https://events.economist.com/events-conferences/asia/space-summit-2020/

- 36th Space Symposium
(March 30 - April 2, 2020, Colorado, USA)
https://www.spacesymposium.org/

- Global Aerospace Summit 2020
(June 2020, St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE)
https://www.aerospacesummit.com/events/global-aerospace-summit-2020/event-summary-a24874f9a19e4614bf5158f6f6670d3f.aspx

- The 11th IAASS Conference"Managing Risk in Space"
(The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety Conference)
(September 17-19, 2020, Osaka, Japan)
http://iaassconference2020.space-safety.org/

Copyright 2020 The APRSAF Secretariat

APRSAF News Mails are distributed to update readers on
recent developments in space-related activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
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