The objective of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) is to enhance cooperation in space activities and to encourage discussions around current space related issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Space agencies, governmental bodies, and international organisations, such as the United Nations, as well as companies, universities and research institutes from over 30 regional participants take part in APRSAF, the largest space-related conference in the Asia-Pacific region.
The APRSAF is an annual event, jointly organised by Japan (through the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and a co-host organization.
In December this year, the 18th Session of the APRSAF will be held in Singapore. This event will be co-hosted by the Singapore Space and Technology Association, the Centre for Remote Imaging Sensing and Processing and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and promotes collaboration between the regions space agencies.
A representitive from the Space Policy Unit will be attending the upcoming 18th Session of the APRSAF in Singapore. Australia co-hosted the 17th Session of the APRSAF in Melbourne on November 2010.
A poster contest, a water rocket event and a series of Educator Workshops will be held at APRSAF 18 to stimulate the interest of children in space activities and to teach them the basics of scientific principles.
Water Rocket Competition
The APRSAF water rocket competition is targeted at students from countries across the Asia-Pacific region, aged between 12 and 16 years. Representatives from approximately 15 countries competed against each other in building their water rocket and then launching it at a designated target.
A team from St John’s Anglican College in Queensland will be representing Australia at the 18th Session of the APRSAF in Singapore, to be held on 3-4 December 2011.
Poster Competition
To support the objective of APRSAF-18, and promote awareness of the benefits of space technology, the APRSAF Space Education and Awareness Working Group established a poster design competition for students aged 8 to 11 years.
Recommendations
Following the conclusion of APRSAF-17, participants of the forum came together to document important recommendations to work towards for the future. The recommendations focus on recognizing the role of space technology and industry in addressing climate change and recognizing the importance of regional cooperation to cope with disaster management, environmental issues, capacity building, quality of human life, health, and other regional issues.