Thai Delegation Introduced to U.S. IOOS Technologies at Mid-Atlantic Partner Rutgers University
A group photo of the Thai Delegation, Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar (CODAR), Rutgers University, and U.S. IOOS
U.S. IOOS® Program Director Zdenka Willis traveled to Mid-Atlantic partner Rutgers University on August 16, 2012, to meet with a high-ranking delegation from Thailand's Ministry of Science and Technology and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The delegation came to the United States for meetings related to high frequency radar (HFR) technology. The delegation is interested in understanding how the United States uses HFR to support decision makers and scientific research. In the morning, Rutgers representatives took the delegation to visit the HFR site in Seabright, New Jersey, while the afternoon brought a tour of Rutgers’ Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory (COOLroom).
Senior members of the Thai delegation included:
Ms. Saowanee Musidang, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology
Mr. Sangwian Kongdee, Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology
Dr. Surachai Ratanasermpong, Deputy Executive Director of GISTDA
Mr. Chaiyan Maolanont, Director of Earth Observation Center of GISTDA
Dr. Chaowalit Silapathong, Director of Geo-Informatics Office of GISTDA
Thai delegation in COOLroom with Scott Glenn showing the HFR, satellite, model output and Mid-Atlantic glider track.
Thailand previously purchased Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar (CODAR) SeaSonde systems to monitor the Gulf of Thailand. Zdenka presented the overview of IOOS, concentrating on how the nation uses HFR. She also provided details of the Global HFR task under the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and encouraged Thailand to become part of that initiative.
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Scott Glenn, Rutgers University, briefed on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS), a regional component of IOOS, comparing the network established along the U.S. East Coast and the proposed network in Thailand. Scott focused on technologies the region employs, including satellites, HFR, and gliders. He provided examples of how these systems support U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue, hurricane forecasting, and the Deepwater Horizon response.
Oscar Schofield of Rutgers explaining the gliders
After presentations, the group toured the COOLroom, providing the delegation with the chance to touch a glider and interact with the glider team. Inside the lab, the delegation saw data from HFR, gliders, satellites, and models integrated on large screens to understand current conditions in the Mid-Atlantic.
From Rutgers the delegation traveled to CODAR Ocean Sensing in California to inspect their HFRs prior to receiving them in Thailand.
Further Details
- Overview of U.S. IOOS concentrating on how the US uses HF
Radar (ppt) by Zdenka Willis, Director, US IOOS Program Office
- Mid-Atlantic Region (MARACOOS)
- Rutgers University's COOLroom
- More pictures from this event: Thailand's Ministry of Science & Technology and the GISTDA - 08/16/2012
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