2.2.2 PRISM:
Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) is a panchromatic radiometer with 2.5-meter spatial resolution. In order to obtain terrain data including elevation, the PRISM has three telescopes for forward, nadir and backward view. Precise land information can be obtained frequently by the PRISM.
Major Specifications of PRISM are as follows.
Observation Band 0.52 - 0.77µm (Forward-Nadir-Backward)
Base/Height ratio 1.0
S/N 70
Spatial Resolution (IFOV) 2.5m (3.57µrad)
MTF 0.20
Swath Width 35km
Pointing Angle +-1.5deg. (cross track)
2.2.3 AVNIR-2: Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2) is a visible and near infrared radiometer for observing land and coastal zones and provides better spatial land coverage maps and land-use classification maps for monitoring regional environment.
The instrument has a cross track pointing function for disaster monitoring.
Major Specifications of AVNIR-2 are as follows.
Observation Band ch1: 0.42 - 0.50µm, ch2: 0.52 - 0.60µm,
ch3: 0.61 - 0.69µm, ch4: 0.76 - 0.89µm
S/N 200
Spatial Resolution 10m
MTF ch1 - 3: 0.25, ch4: 0.20
Swath Width 70km
Pointing Angle +-40deg. (cross track)
2.2.4 PALSAR: Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) is an active microwave sensor for cloud-free and day-and-night land observation and provides higher performance than the JERS-1's SAR. The sensor has a beam steerable in elevation and the ScanSAR mode, which allows us to obtain a wider swath than conventional SARs. The development of the PALSAR is a joint project between NASDA and Japan Resources Observation System Organization (JAROS).
Major Specifications of PALSAR are as follows.
Observation Mode Fine Resolution Mode ScanSAR Mode
Frequency L-band
Polarization HH or VV (option: HV or VH)
Spatial Resolution 10m (2 looks)
20m (4 looks) 100m
Swath Width 70km 250 - 360km
(3 - 5scans)
Off-nadir Angle 18 - 48deg.
3. Pilot Projects
Under the bilateral agreement between the Royal Thai government and the government of Japan, National Research Council of Thailand(NRCT) and NASDA have managed the ground receiving station for MOS-1, JERS-1 satellites at Lad Krabang area in Bangkok in order to receive, process and distribute Japanese satellite data to their coverage region since 1987. In this context, NASDA has started the first pilot projects for public use in Thailand and added projects in Indonesia.
Purpose of the pilot projects is to promote operational data use for governmental and administrative purposes through data analysis technologies development. In the pilot projects, we are developing and researching particular application for each participating agency, and we are expecting that the results should be useful in the governmental activities.
The results from the pilot projects could be reflected to the design of future earth observation satellite program in Japan.
4. Training
4.1 AIT Training Program
Under contract with NASDA, in cooperation with Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) has five training courses in a year at AIT campus in Bangkok, Thailand (two weeks, 15-20 participants) and some other places (one week, 20-40 participants). The purpose of the training program is mainly to promote the continuous use of data from Japanese Earth observation satellites, such as JERS-1 and ADEOS, which will contribute to the development of this region.
The first course, Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System, was held in 1995 at AIT. Caravan style training and SAR data application training were added as new options in 1997.
The objectives of these courses are as follows;
- To provide the trainees from Asia and Pacific with advanced GIS with a focus on the integration with Japanese satellite data such as JERS-1 OPS and ADEOS AVNIR in the operational applications.
- To provide application techniques of JERS-1 SAR data recognizing that SAR data are supplementary to optical data when there is cloud cover and when there is only one data source, particularly in the rainy and flood seasons.
- To maximize the efficiency of training by providing application techniques in remote sensing and GIS in local and/or regional aspects to encourage technical transfer.
4.2 Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management
This seminar has been conducted by NASDA and UNESCAP since 1992 in cooperation with RESTEC. The main objective of this seminar is to share our experience and knowledge on remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) applications for sustainable ecosystem management in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants are decision-makers, planners and technical users from Asian and Pacific region. The content includes the seminar on the application of RS and GIS for tropical ecosystem management(two days), field trip survey for understanding of tropical ecosystem dynamics (one day), computer hands-on training on digital image analysis for RS and GIS (two days).
This seminar has been held in eight different countries of the Asian and Pacific region: Thailand in 1992, Malaysia in 1993, Indonesia in 1994, Philippines in 1995, Fiji in 1996, Vietnam in 1997, Bangladesh in 1998 and Myanmar in 1999. The ninth Regional Seminar on Earth Observation for Tropical Eco-system Management is scheduled to take place at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand from 20 to 24 November 2000.
5. Conclusion
These activities contribute to the capacity-building of the related countries of this region. NASDA will continue this kind of effort.
