************************************* T O P I C S ******************************************

1. [[Asian Space Update 1]]
The SINOSAT-2 successfully launched (China, 29 October)

2. [[Asian Space Update 2]]
International Conference on Space Technology and Geo-Informatics 2006
(Thailand, 5-8 November)

3. [[Asian Space Update 3]]
Thai students: The first challenge to "Zero-Gravity Flight Experiment" in Japan

4. [[Asian Space Update 4]]
Just one month until the launch of ETS-VIII, Japanese Satellite

5. [[Interview]]
25-26 October in the Lao PDR

6. [[Event Information and APRSAF Website Update- November 2006]]

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1. [[Asian Space Update 1]]
The SINOSAT-2 successfully launched (China, 29 October)
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China successfully launched its first large direct broadcasting satellite SINOSAT-2 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 0:20am of 29 October 2006 and then confirmed its entry into the scheduled geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The SINOSAT-2 is designed to serve broadcast TV, digital TV, live broadcast TV and digital broadband multimedia systems on mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

The SINOSAT-2, developed and manufactured mainly by the China Academy of Space Technology, weighs about 5.1 tons and has 22 transponders. It has a designed life of 15 years, including 12 years of in-orbit service.

This was the 93rd flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets and the 51st continuous successful launch for China.

According to the information from the Beijing Institute of Satellite Information Engineering at CAST, the SINOSAT-2 entered into the geosynchronous orbit on 10 November.

* Source:
CAST (30 Oct)
http://en.cast.cn/ShowClass.asp?ClassID=22
CHINA View (29 Oct)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/29/content_5261682.htm

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2. [[Asian Space Update 2]]
International Conference on Space Technology and Geo-Informatics 2006
(Thailand, 5-8 November)
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"International Conference on Space Technology and Geo-Informatics 2006Ewith "National Conference on Mapping and Geo-Informatics 2006Ewas held at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand from November 5 to 8, 2006, with 450 participants. It was organized by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) with Cooperating Agencies. Those agencies were Royal Thai Survey Department, Remote Sensing and GIS Association of Thailand (RESGAT), Cartography Association of Thailand, Geographical Association of Thailand, Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), Geological Society of Thailand, and Surveying and Mapping Society of Thailand.

The main objectives are to strengthen the cooperation in space-related activities, to provide a forum for sharing information and exchange of scientific knowledge in the field of geo- informatics technology applications and related technologies as well as to share visions and knowledge in advanced technology.

The conference began with opening address of H.E. Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, Minister of Science and Technology, and reporting address of Lt. Gen. Dr. Vichit Satharanond, Chairman of GISTDA Executive Board at the opening ceremony on November 5th, 2006.
Keynote speeches were presented from 5th afternoon to 6th morning November and continuously technical presentations were delivered on Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System, GIS/GPS, Data Processing, Disaster monitoring and International Cooperation as well as New Sensor from 6th to 7th November and these themes were eagerly debated by the participants.

The following themes are mainly introduced as the conference topics,
a. International cooperation in satellite technology, space science, meteorology, and telecommunications
b. Small satellites in East Asian countries & multipurpose small satellite constellations
c. New-generation sensors and applications
d. Data processing/ remote sensing applications/ GIS / GPS and photogrammetry
e. Disaster monitoring

* For more information about the conference
http://www.gistda.or.th/Gistda/HtmlGistda/Html/EnIndexMain.html

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3. [[Asian Space Update 3]]
Thai students: The first challenge to "Zero-Gravity Flight Experiment" in Japan
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With the cooperation between NSTDA (National Science and Technology Development Agency of Thailand) and JAXA, it was determined that Thai students should participate in the "Zero-Gravity Flight Experiment Contest" organized by JAXA.

This is the first challenge for students in the Asia-Pacific region. In Thailand at present the selection of proposals submitted by student-teams for conducting zero-gravity * experiments in an aircraft flying a parabolic flight is underway.

The student teams whose proposals are selected will be asked to prepare experiment apparatuses and install them inside a rack to be placed within the aircraft that JAXA has prepared.

Next March, the students are scheduled to fly together with Japanese students on the parabolic flight and conduct their experiments by utilizing this zero-gravity environment.

As one of the educational events in association with ISS (International Space Station), JAXA has been conducting zero-gravity flight experiment contests only for Japanese students since 2002.

This will be the first time that both Thai and Japanese students conduct their experiments together inside an aircraft.

Mr. Tetsuo Tanaka, Director of JAXA Space Environment Utilization Center, gave a message to all APRSAF participants:
" We conduct this activity as one of our educational events in association with ISS and also large space environment utilization research institutes. I am going to report the details of this activity at APRSAF ISS WG of APRSAF-13 in Jakarta. I will certainly appreciate your attending APRSAF ISS WG if you are interested in this activity".

*Zero-gravity also referred to as weightlessness or microgravity.
About 20 seconds of zero gravity (weightlessness) can be simulated inside an aircraft flying a parabolic maneuver.

**JAXA student zero-gravity experiment web-site (2002-2005)
http://iss.sfo.jaxa.jp/education/parabolic/en

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4. [[Asian Space Update 4]]
Just one month until the launch of ETS-VIII, Japanese Satellite
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The ETS-VIII satellite or "Kiku No. 8" developed by JAXA is scheduled to be launched on 16 December 2006 from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan and JAXA started to check the satellite and its interface with launch vehicle H-IIA and various ground facilities for preparation of the launch.

The satellite, with a gross weight of around 3 tons and a diameter of 40 meters, has two Large Deployable Antenna Reflectors and two Solar Array paddles and is one of the world’s largest geostationary S-band satellites. One LDAR has about the size of a tennis court.

Its size will enable direct communications with a geostationary satellite that covers all Japan, making mobile communications more reliable.

The mobile communications technologies realized by ETS-VIII are likely to benefit our daily life in the field of communications, broadcasting, and global positioning. Quick and accurate directions, for example, can be given to an emergency vehicle by means of traffic control information via satellite in case of disasters.

Mr. Akio Tsujihata, ETS-VIII project manager, gave us a message:
“The main mission of the ETS-VIII satellite is to verify in space, new techniques which will be surely needed in the near future. The new techniques are satellite bus technique (e.g. for 100V bus, total integration design, etc) and mission technique (e.g. for Large-scale Deployable Reflector, Onboard Processor, Phased Array Antenna, etc). The launch of ETS-VIII is scheduled only one month later and I hope that those techniques will be successfully verified in space and will make our life richer, safer and more secure".

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5. [[Interview]]
25-26 October in the Lao PDR
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The APRSAF secretariat visited the Science Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) and the Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in the Lao PDR (NDMO).

We interviewed Director General of Environment Research Institute (ERI), Dr. Monemany Nhoybouakong, Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Cooperation and International Relations Division Officer, Dr. Thevarack Phonekeo and Deputy Director of Environment Data Center (EDC), Dr. Virany Sengtianthr at STEA.

In the interview, they told us that the Environmental Research Institute had started work as a separate entity from 2000. Its research programs are intended to lead to long term protection and development of the nation's natural resources, and thereby contribute to a sustainable development and a higher quality of life for the Lao people.

APRSAF website will introduce the details on the interview with STEA.

We also interviewed Deputy Director General of the Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare Mr. Khamphao Hompangna, and his Technical Staff members.

For details on this interview, please see the movie file on APRSAF website:
http://www.aprsaf.org/interview/interview_06.html

* STEA website: http://www.stea.gov.la/

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6. [[Event Information and APRSAF Website Update- November 2006]]
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* Nov 20-24, 2006
13th Australian Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Conference
Canberra, Australia
http://www.arspc.org/

* Nov 20-24, 2006
UneGov.net Workshop and School on Electronic Governance
Bangkok, Thailand
http://www.unu.edu/events/

* Nov 21-23, 2006
China Geotech 2006
Shanghai, China

* Nov 23-25, 2006
International Symposium on Terrain Analysis and Digital Terrain Modeling
Nanjing, China

* Nov 27-30, 2006
Pacific GIS and RS User Conference
Suva, Fiji
http://www.picisoc.org/tiki-index.php?page=PacGISRS2006

* Nov 28-30, 2006
Southeast Asian Geography Association Conference (NIE-SEAGA) 2006
Singapore
http://www.seaga.co.nr/

< APRSAF Website Updates >
-Interview with S. Shankar, M.Tech., (Aero), Deputy Director of Management System Area (MSA), Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).
http://www.aprsaf.org/interview/interview_04a.html

- Previous Interviews
http://www.aprsaf.org/interview/pre_interview.html

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Copyright 2006 The APRSAF Secretariat

APRSAF Secretariat

c/o. Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan
Roppongi First Bldg. 12F, 1-9-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032,
Japan

Telephone: +(81 3)5572-6708
Fax: +(81 3)5572-6707