Earth Observation

The Earth Observation program of LAPAN is intended to operationally use the earth observation and meteorological satellite data to support disaster management and environmental monitoring in Indonesia in order to minimize social, economic impacts of disasters and environmental degradation. It will support decision-aids particularly for prevention, preparedness, emergency response, rehabilitation and reconstruction of disaster management. It also supports Sectoral Central and Local Governments with up to date spatial information for decision making.

Lapan works with Technical University (TU) Berlin which has made the earth observation satellite TUBSat-LAPAN, which worked well in 2008. LAPAN-TUBSAT was the first Indonesian Surveillance Micro-Satellite. It was launched on 10 January 2007 by ISRO PSLV-C7 with Cartosat-2. LAPAN-TUBSAT satellite conducts 14.5 earth revolutions each day at an altitude: 630 km. It is in a polar orbit with an inclination of 97.60° and a period of 99.039 minutes. The longitude shift per orbit is about 24.828° with a ground track velocity of 6.744 km/s with an angular velocity of 3.635 deg/s, and a circular velocity of 7.542 km/s.

LAPAN still wants to create a micro-satellite satellite equatorial because this type have the time (pass time) of Indonesia and longer (three hours) than the TUBSat in the polar orbit. LAPAN A-2 satellite is based on LAPAN-TUBSAT satellite with enhanced performance. Integration of LAPAN-A2 satellite is carried out in Indonesia. LAPAN-A2 satellite shall be launched by piggy back method. Planned ready for launch by end of 2010.

The Lapan A-2 and Lapan-Orari satellites are to piggyback into orbit on an Indian rocket, initially slated for launch in April 2009. Lapan expected to finish those satellites by February 2009. The agency's research program includes a plan to send its first satellites into orbit in 2010. That project would carry remote-sensing surveillance and amateur radio communication equipment.

LAPAN as the national satellite earth observation monitoring data provider has played an important role in supporting Disaster Management and Environmental Monitoring in Indonesia. As the member of Sentinel Asia (SA), LAPAN has been taking some benefis from the participation in the framework of SA such obtaining data for emergency response, strengthening the quality information products, infrastructure (as well as the capacity building). Development of Web GIS based on Updating from RS Data to support Environmental monitoring for local/regional development is going to be ready, Continuing the involvement in Sentinel Asia is expected to strengthen the development of the system. Many insitutions in national/regional, and local levels (more than 46) use the LAPAN's Information Products regularly as supporting information for policy making related to their needs in disaster and environmental monitoring. The human resources capacity and infrastructure for obtaining, processing, and disseminating the data/information must be upgraded regularly to complete the national and local information needs. Probably WINDS and INHERENT can be the anternatives solution.