Pilot Project for Public Use in Thailand
Strategy of NASDA
From 1993 to 1997 NASDA conducted the Global Research Network Project to apply remote sensing data for scientific research with some institutes in Asain countries. In 1995 NASDA conducted the survey of the conducted some kinds sensing data in Asian region . These 5-6 years NASDA has conducted some kinds of seminars and training courses in cooperation with National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), UN-ESCAP and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). On January 1996 Japanese government revised the Fundamental Policy of Japan's space Activities authorizing the importance of promotion of remote sensing data utilization. On August 1996 Advanced Earth Observaing Satellite (ADEOS) was launched following MOS-1 (launched on 1987, 1990) and JERS-1 (launched on 1992).
Based on the above experiences, NASDA has recognized that it is important and timely to contribute to the practical utilization of remote sensing satellite dta in order to meet the social needs in Asian region, and NASDA started Pilot Project in Thailand from 1997. For the next program, NASDA is also planning to launch Advanced High-resolution Land Observaing Satellite (ALOS) on 2003, whose program will go into the operational phase (not pilot phase) of this practical utilization at the administrative level (Figure 3)
Figure 3. Strategy of NASDA
Scheme of Pilot Project for Public Use in Thailand
Under the bilateral agreement between the Royal Thai government and the government of Japan, NRCT and NASDA have established the ground receiving station for MOS-1, JERS-1 satellite at ladkrabang area in Bangkok in order to receive, process and distribute Japanese satellite data to their coverage region since 1987 (Figure4). Because of this matter, NASDA decided that the first Pilot Project for Public use in Asian region should be put into practice conducted in Thailand. After the feasibility study NASDA selected 4 agencies from 8 agencies which submitted the proposals to NRCT and NASDA.
Figure 4. Coverage Region of Ground Stations
