Space Technology Status in Lao PDR

1. Space Technology Status in Lao PDR
Singthong KHAMONE
Deputy Director
Space and Terrestrial Affairs Division
Space Technology Department (DST)
National Authority for Science and Technology (NAST)
Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

2. Overview
• Country Profile
• Government Policy on Space Technology
• Space Technology Application in Lao PDR
• Ongoing Activities

3. Country Profile
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Land area: 236,800 sq. km,
• Population: 6,000,000,
• Capital : Vientiane ( population 600,000 ),
• Covered by forest: 43.3%,
• Mountainous 70 %,
• Ethnics: 49 and 4 language groups (24.11.2008),
• Official Language: Lao,
• Currency: Kip ( 1 US$= 8,004 Kip ),
• Economy: Agriculture, Forestry, Hydro-electric,
Mine, Services.

4. Government Policy
on Space Technology
The Department of Space Technology (DST) has
been set up in April 2008 under the National
Authority for Science and Technology (NAST) under
the Prime Minister’s Office by the Decree No.
401/PMO-NAST, dated 21 March 2008.
DST is mandated to the overall Management and
Administration of Space Technology in Lao PDR.
DST consist of 3 Divisions:
1. General Affairs Division.
2. Space and Terrestrial Affairs Division.
3. Service Management Division.

5. Government Policy
on Space Technology
Role and Functions:
- Research and draft the policy, strategy and various
legislation for management ,development and
application of Space Technology : Remote
Sensing(RS), Geographic Information
System(GIS) and Global Position System(GPS)
- Reserve, manage, protect and utilize the orbital
slot and lao satellite Transponders,
- Manage and apply Lao PDR Satellite Control
Center(SCC)
- Promote Space Technology Application for
education, research and development RS,GIS GPS

6. Government Policy
on Space Technology
Role and Functions:
- Promote Space Technology Application for
education, research and development RS,GIS GPS
to serve socio-economic development,
- Promote the research and development for
construction the rocket and satellite,
- Set up the database on space technology for
exchange with domestic and international
organization,
- Development human resource on space
technology for various sector both central and
local level,

7. Government Policy
on Space Technology
Role and Functions:
- Coordinate, meet, negotiate and cooperate with
various organizations both domestic and
international in the field of Space Technology,
- Study and analyze the rule and regulations of
relevant regional and international organizations
in the field of Space Technology in order to apply
for a member of the latter,
- Sign the agreement, minute of meeting and
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
various organizations in the field of Space
Technology.

8. Space Technology Application
in Lao PDR
- Many Ministries and Organizations used the
Space Technology in various fields such as:
Ministry of Information and Culture, (Radio, TV),
Ministry of Agriculture and forestry(Forest Dept),
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Information Dept),
Ministry of Education and Sports,
Ministry of Science and Technology,
Ministry of Post and Telecommunication ,
Ministry of industry and Commerce,
Ministry of Public Work and Transportations,

9. Space Technology Application
in Lao PDR
Ministry of Public Health (Tele-health),
Ministry of Energy and Mines(Geology Dept),
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
( Meteorology Dept, RS Center),
National Bank of Lao PDR,
National Geographic Department,
Mekong River Commission.

10. International Cooperation on
Space Technology Application
1. UNOOSA
2. UNESCAP
3. APRSAF
4. JAXA
5. APSCO
6. SCOSA
7. GISTDA
8. NARIT

11. Ongoing Activities
• Preparatory phase for Lao Satellite Communication:
- Collect and analyze the data for socio-economic benefit.
- Reserve the orbital slot and frequencies.
- Restore Satellite Control Center (SCC).
- Cooperate with international companies.
• Cooperate with GISTDA to use map from satellite for
tourist service in the World Heritage City, Luangprabang.
• Cooperate with NARIT on Astronomy Seminar for School
Teachers in Vientiane Capital.

12. THANK YOU