ASEAN+3 Satellite Image Archive for Environmental Study

Pakorn Apaphant

Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency

Thailand

ABSTRACT: Natural Disasters can occur without Political boundary. Several natural hazards have severely caused lost in lives and economy in ASEAN+3 countries for the last couple decades. Natural Disaster Management mission is often categorized into three parts, i.e. before, after, and during events. Spatial Information has been used to support those formidable tasks. In May 2001, ASEAN+3 Economic Minister (AEM+3) Meeting approved Thailand’s proposal to implement the “ASEAN+3 Satellite Image Archive for Environmental Study” project (ASIAES). One of the objectives is to set up an internet-based, distributed network of satellite data archive and other environmental information for scientists to share or exchange information. With currently available technology in data interoperability and data standardization, the data clearing house concept has then played important role for this project. The information in this clearing House will mainly include Metadata of GIS and Remote Sensing which are expected to be useful for Disaster management in ASEAN+3 region. GIS and remote sensing agencies in ASEAN+3 which are in the network will have tools to document and register data holdings on the ASIAES. All information in ASIAES will have compliant metadata meeting some minimum standard such as ISO19115. Users can then search for, evaluate, visualize and access geospatial and associated data. The ASIAES clearing house will support geospatial information users including governmental and non-governmental organizations, and potentially, private-sector firms. It is expected that the system will be ready to be in service approximately in early 2007.

Keywords: Natural Disaster Management, Data Clearing House, ASEAN+3, ISO19115