Outlook on availability of satellite Data and Thai remote Satellite Program
Dr. Suvit Vibulsresth, Ms. Praneet Ditsariyakul
Thailand Remote Sensing Centre
National Research Council Of Thailand
Abstract
After 1987, not only has Thailand Remote Sensing Center ( TRSC) provided the high resolution satellite data worldwide but the development of remote sensing technology also been greatly enhanced. The variety with different correction level is available to fulfill the users` requirement .The synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data has also been introduced under the co-operation with Japan for JERS-1 SAR reception , the EC-ASEAN Regional Radar remote sensing ERS-1 project and the global SAR Canada Thailand project in order that the users in this region can make use of the information that the present and future radar satellites can provide. Beside , it is gratifying that Thai government has realized the significance of space technology development and applications. The Thai Remote Sensing small satellite program was recently approved by the cabinet. The Ministry of science , technology and environment through its technical authority in the National Research Council of Thailand will own and operate the small satellite system. This paper will present an outlook on satellite data presently received by NRCT and the system to be operated by NRCT.
1. Introduction
With the capabilities of acquiring and processing multi -sensor data , NRCT has been able to develop remote sensing market successfully . Considering data revenue trends for the past five years starting from calendar year 1990 to1994, the value of products sold has progressively grown from US $ 800,000 in 1990 to US $ 1.6 million in 1994 . This is due to fact that satellite imagery was no longer just use for R & D . It is now a valuable and cost effective solution . however , the existing option sensor could not provide and cost effective solution .However , the existing option sensor could not provide cloud free imagery especially in the rain season therefore SAR data has been introduced to overcome the said limitation .SAR data is appropriate to be used as complementary to optical sensor data of land sat ,SPOT and MOS, etc NRCT also plans to acquire the Indian IRS data and to own and operate .Thai Remote Sensing Satellite System (Smallest Program ),an optical sensor satellite to be launched in the next five year
2 Present and Future Availability of Satellite data
Thailand ground receive station currently acquire data from both optical sensor of Landsat ,SPOT,MOS,NOAA and SAR sensor of the Japanese JERS-1 and ERS -1 of European Space Agency .with the extensive archive of multilevel data , NRCT through the User Services Center presently offers to the users various scales , formats and correction levels of the photographic and digital products comprising :
- Photographic product , both in film and paper prints in black & white or color at various scale and correction level; bulk, georeferenced and geocoded.
- Digital product in the media of both computer compatible tape(CCT) and 8 mm. Cartridge tape with the option of BIL/BSQ format for TM & SPOT and CEOS for ERS-1 and density of 1600\6250 bpi for CCT and 2.3/5.0 GB for cartridge tape.
Users who are interested un the data over particular area under Thai station's coverage ,could access the catalog locally or remotely. In recognition of the users' need for easy query of the station's data archive, NRCT also plans to develop a capability to allow querying of station's archive through Internet with World-Wide-web by mid 1996.
A part from the existing facilities, NRCT will upgrade the equipment to receive the Indian IRS-1C and, Thai station for receiving the Canadian Radarsat satellite data, in 1996.
