MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

Kuala Lumpur, Fri. - The National Space Agency is willing to help universities setup satellite receiving stations to download images as part of a space education programme.

Agency director-general Professor Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman today showed how this could be done, even by amateurs.

She was at the National Planetarium's satellite station where amateur radio hobbyist Sangat Singh has set up a receiving station for high-resolution satellite images.

The station was assembled by Sangat using a radio transmitter to receive data from passing satellites.

The entire outfit was funded by the agency to further knowledge and exploration of remote sensing by the public. "You don't need to be an expert to do this or to enjoy it," said Sangat, a retired plantation manager who has made amateur radio his hobby for many years.

Sangat obtains images from passing satellites, mainly China's Feng Yun and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites.

At 9:59:34 am today, Feng Yun passed over Malaysia and Sangat had prepared his receiver to download images from the satellite in real time for reporters to see.

"The image we see being downloaded on the computer is exactly what the satellite is seeing and recording now as it moves along," he said.

Satellites move at 7.5 km per second, leaving a brief window of time for downloads to be made.

He said it was easy for universities to set up receiving stations using radio transmitters. "The satellite pictures are free. All you need is a radio license and the basic hardware, which would cost about RM50,000," he said.

Mazlan said the agency would give technical advice to schools and universities as a means of sharing knowledge. The agency, which began operations in July, coordinates Malaysia's space industry by making policies and regulating industry players.

"We hope to have a viable space industry in about 10 years, with components such as manufacturing satellites and using images, positioning and communications for business."