Lecture on Space Technologies By
Mr Hideyuki Oto

On the 12th of May 2015, Japan Creative Centre hosted its first Science & Technology event for this year, a lecture on the “Contribution of Space Technologies in Our Daily Lives” by Mr Hideyuki Oto, the General Manager of Space Systems Department from Mitsubishi Electric Asia. This lecture clearly explained about how science embedded technologies has and could further help in playing a major role in our daily lives. Mr Oto presented this exceptionally informative lecture to everyone present on the various types and uses of satellites, together with several video clips and two satellite models.

As one of the highlights, Mr. Oto explained about the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a new technology that will improve positioning accuracy of the existing GPS system and transit signals from high elevation angle are not blocked by high buildings & mountains. Another was about a satellite called (ALOS)-2 Advanced Land Observing Satellite. It is the improved version of its predecessor, ALOS.

This satellite is equipped with the world’s most advanced L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), it gives higher resolution and a wider observation range compared to ALOS. This (ALOS)-2 aims to contribute in observing the disaster prone areas, forest monitoring, and environmental protection .

As for the future concepts of satellite technology, Space Solar Power System (SSPS)  was introduced. Still at the initial phase for elementary experiments, it is a concept to generate electricity from sunlight in space and transit it to earth by microwave. The lecture ended with a very constructive Q&A session as Mr Oto answered all the questions posed by the attendees.

This lecture had opened up the knowledge of satellites to everyone had attended. It was an enriching experience for the audiences, especially for Temasek Polytechnic students who had the golden opportunity of interacting with Mr Oto who has many years of experience in this field.