AIR and HIST Sign MOU with Cambodian APSARA to Provide China’s Satellite Quicklook Data Service

An MOU is signed between The Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the auspices of UNESCO (HIST), and the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA) on September 9 in Siem Reap for cooperation in the use of Satellite Quicklook data from China.

Prof. LIU Jianbo, deputy director of AIR, and Prof. HONG Tianhua, deputy director of HIST, on behalf of AIR and HIST respectively, signed the MOU with Dr. Peou HANG, deputy director of APSARA, Cambodia. The signing ceremony was witnessed some 30 people including Prof. LI Jinghai, CAS Vice President, Mr. CAO Jinghua, deputy director general of CAS Bureau of International Cooperation, N. Bun, director general of APSARA. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An met the delegation from CAS on September 10 in Council of Ministers. He highly praised the cooperation between two sides.

According to the MOU, AIR will provide a Virtual Ground Station (SatSee System) and the quicklook data service of two satellites to APSARA. With the help of AIR engineers, the system has been installed on September 5. After being connected via internet, the system has started to receive near real-time, full resolution satellite quicklook images provided by AIR.

AIR initiated and developed a SatSee system. It is able to provide users with near real-time, full resolution quicklook images of remote sensing satellite data. SatSee system combines the various advantages that AIR has in the field of satellite remote sensing, including the abundant satellites AIR receives, wide coverage area of its station net, high-speed fiber link between station and processing center, and high computing capacities.

The data supported by SatSee now are Chinese HJ-1A, HJ-1B (more will be added soon), USA Landsat-8 and Belgium’s PROBA-V. With more data available and quicker, easier access, this service mode is expected to contribute to emergency monitoring needs such as the monitoring of ecosystem, flood, fire, and oil spill disasters.

As the system doesn’t need an antenna to be built on the users’ side, it can be obtained and operated at very low cost, and therefore can be easily promoted and applied in the developing countries.Chinese neighboring countries in Central Asia and South East Asia, over which AIR receiving facilities cover, benefits most. Cambodia is the third country who signed the agreement and benefits from the satellite quicklook data service. Thailand, Mongolia, and Australia also show interest in the system. AIR plans to provide such service to more countries soon.