APRSAF-17

1. The scope /objectives of Space Environment utilization WG activities

“Space Environment Utilization WG (SEU)”, has discussed the road map in several ways to facilitate effective joint utilization of the space environment among Asia-Pacific countries since APRSAF-12, and has expanded its scope to general space environment utilization beyond International Space Station (ISS)/Kibo utilization.

The Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” of ISS has been fully operational since 2009. The assembly of the entire ISS will be completed within a year as well. To make good use of this unique facility by promoting the further cooperation in Kibo utilization, JAXA established a new office, “Kibo Utilization Office for Asia (KUOA)” in 2010.

Space environment utilization is a rather new field of space activities but has unlimited potential. It is also a comprehensive activity in which a large variety of scientific and technological expertise has to be synthesized. Thus the ISS/Kibo utilization is not only for space development but also for every field of human activities including science, technology, education and culture. With the assembly of ISS nearing completion, space environment utilization activities will enter a new stage and further cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries in this area will become more important.

Significant cooperation on Kibo with Malaysia has started with the protein crystal growth experiment in 2009. A new proposal from Asian space agencies to launch and return the plant seeds is in preparation phase and will be realized in the next H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV; launch 2011). The fifth in a series of parabolic flights with Asian students is scheduled to take place this December 2010.

Based on this current status, any presentations and practical proposals from the participants concerning international cooperation in scientific and technological as well as educational utilization of the space environment are welcome. Reports of current cooperation plans and activities, experiences & lessons learned, pending issues to be resolved for further cooperation, and the new proposals from agencies would be particularly appreciated.

The discussion on ISS contribution for Earth observation has started and will be introduced in the joint session with Earth Observation Working Group as well.

2. The results of Space Environment utilization WG activities in APRSAF-16

See APRSAF-16 adopted recommendations at the following URL:
http://www.aprsaf.org/annual_meetings/aprsaf16/recommendation.php

3. The Draft Agenda

1) Status report on the APRSAF-16 recommendations and actions.
2) Status report related to ISS program
3) Status of bilateral cooperation
  a) Feasibility Study
  b) Protein Crystal Growth Experiment
  c) Others
4) Status of “Space Seed for Asian Future 2010”
5) Status of Student Parabolic Flight Experiment
6) ISS contribution for Earth Observation
7) Discussion on lesson learned, issues and future plan (all)

Appendix : Indicative schedule of work of the Space Environment Utilization Working Group
(23 – 24 November 2010, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

Co-Chairs:
Miriam Baltuck (Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex,Australia)
Shigeki Kamigaichi (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan)

November 23rd

November 24th