1. Space Applications
in Lao PDR
Mr. Sith SIRIPAPHANH
Director of Space and Terrestrial Affair Division
Department of Space Technology (DST)
National Authority for Science and Technology (NAST)
Prime Minister’s Office
P.O. Box: 2279,Vientiane Lao PDR.
Tel: 856- 21 244 371
Fax: 856- 21
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E-mail: sithsr@yahoo.com
2. OUTLINE
1. Background
2. Political commitment
3. Organization expected to use Space Application
4. Use of Satellite Communication
5. Needs
6. Current Status & Activities
7. Cooperation
8. Action Plan in 2010 and in the Future
9. Conclusion
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3. Background
Space Technology are powerful tool for solution for
the well being of humanity, security and sustainable
development.
Lao PDR is committed to exploit such advantage in
cooperation with international community for
poverty alleviation and expected to getting out of
under developed country by 2020.
Use for Space Technology and Space- based ICT in
support to prediction of climate change depend on
financial and Technological know how capability and
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cooperation.
4. Political Commitment
The government of Lao PDR established the
Department of Space Technology (DST) under the
National Authority for Science and Technology
(NAST), Prime Minister’s Office in April 2008.
DST is mandated for overall management and
administration of Space Technology, promotion of
Space Technology Applications, and development of
policy regulations in this area.
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5. Organization expected to use
Space Application
1. National University/ Faculty of 11. Soil Survey and Land Classification
Geography; Center;
2. National University/ Faculty of 12. Urban Planning Research Institute;
Forestry; 13. UXO LAO;
3. Department of Forestry; 14. Department of Road/MCTPC
4. Department of Irrigation; 15. Forest Conservation and
5. Forest Inventory and Planning Afforestation Project;
Center; 16. Department of Mining;
6. Environment Data Center; 17. Department of electricity;
7. National Geographic Department; 18. NNAFRI (National Agriculture and
8. Living Aquatic Resource Research Forestry Research Institute)/MAF
Center; 19. Mekong GIS project;
9. Watershed Unit/MRC/D. Forestry
10. Forest Cover Monitoring/
SUFORD/STEA/MAF-NAFRI 5
6. Use of Satellite Communication
The Among five telecom enterprises operate in the
country, three use satellite telecommunication:
- Enterprise of Telecom Lao (ETL) use
satellite INTELSAT for domestic and
International Communication;
- Lao Telecom Company (LTC), us
THAICOM Satellite;
- Lanxang Lao, use ASIASAT Satellite.
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7. Needs
The DST will act as focal point for space-related
activities at the national as well as the regional level;
At National level, DST will interact with major user
sectors such as agriculture, environment, land use,
telecommunications, meteorology, and planning and
development;
DST should initiate the contact with regional/
international organizations.
To promote integration of space applications with
development planning; 7
8. Needs (cont.)
Develop priority the cooperation with Regional/
International Organizations and Foreign Countries for
human resource development;
Initiate and maintain the cooperation with National
university of Laos and private sector;
To fully get benefit and advantage from space
technology achievement at regional and international
level;
To elaborate and implement the National Strategy and
Action Plan in order to coordinate works at Regional-
National Levels; 8
9. Current Status & Activities
Develop human resource on Space Technology for
various sector both central and local level;
Sign the Agreement, Minutes of Meeting, and
Memorandum of Understanding with various
organization;
Coordinate, meet, negotiate and cooperate with
various organizations both domestic and
international in field of Space Technology;
Set up the database on Space Technology for
exchange with domestic and international
organization; 9
10. Cooperation
Work undertaken so far Cooperation: Lao-Thai on
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development
Agency (GISTDA):
30 participants in training on RS, GIS and GPS;
Technical visit Lao-Thai;
Workshop Lao-Thai;
Seminar Lao-Thai.
Cooperation: Lao-China on Science and Space
Technology;
Other Space using Agencies have tried the best
Cooperating. 10
11. Action Plan in 2010 and in the Future
The Space Application in Lao PDR is at the baby
stage;
We have a shortage not only of funds but also a
severe shortage of professionals on Space Technology
in various areas:
Telecommunications;
Meteorology;
Natural resources management, environment
monitoring;
Disaster management to satellite.
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12. Action Plan in 2010 and in the Future (cont.)
Space applications for sustainable development;
Space applications for adaptation to climate change;
Satellite Telecommunication’s importance role in Lao
PDR with to resolve the works:
Many rural area cannot communicate;
Poverty-stricken area not yet developed system
telecommunication;
Necessary to rectify problem in development Village
Cluster and in overall Country.
Needs to set up a business of telecommunication
operations;
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13. Action Plan in 2010 and in the Future (cont.)
NAST-China APMT Cooperation based Frame
Agreement on Cooperation in Space Science and
Technology signed on 22 August 2008 between
NAST and China National Space Administration
(CNSA);
Signed the MOU on Cooperation in the Lao Satellite
Broadcasting and Telecommunication System
Construction And Business Operation Project;
Feasibility study completed;
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14. Action Plan in 2010 and in the Future (cont.)
DST is a gateway to manage the overall development
of the Space Technology in Lao PDR such as:
Satellite Technology;
Space Segment;
Ground Segment;
On Earth Observation Technology
Idea project On line Hazard warning to preparing,
addressing and relieving the hazards events (natural
and man made).
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15. Conclusion
DST is mandated to the overall Management and
Administration of the Space Application for
Humanity, Safety, Disaster and Security management
on Lao PDR;
DST will be the coordinator for all Space Technology
Application in Lao PDR and will act national focal
point for cooperation with international space
agencies and local Country have overall
responsibility;
DST continue to work on Cooperation in the Lao
Satellite Broadcasting and Telecommunication
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System Construction and Business Operation Project.
