J. Bat-Erdene: PREPARING MONGOLIAN COSMOLOGISTS AND SATELLITES
This interview was translated from the Undesnii Shuudan newspaper, with the Chairman of Information, Communications Technology and Post Authority J. Bat-Erdene.
-I’ve heard that Mongolia will soon have a joint satellite with Japan. Is this true?
-The Prime Minister of Mongolia recently had an official visit to Japan. During this visit the Information, Communications Technology and Post Authority of Mongolia and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation to cooperate on the cosmic technology sector. The main goal of this memorandum is to implement the project successfully until 2015. We must cooperate with other international organizations which have rich experience in order to implement the project successfully. We see this cooperation taking several directions. First of all, we must educate and prepare the professionals.
According to this, we are planning to make an agreement about Mongolians studying cosmic studies in Japanese universities. There is the Asia Pacific Region Organization for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics. Mongolia has joined this organization and has been cooperating since 1992.
By cooperating with this organization 3 or 4 people will study in China, per year. When we had a meeting with the NC Japan Center, they said they were working to build the satellite for international research. They will place the controlling stations in various countries for research, because it is a satellite for international research. We have therefore, requested that they place their controlling station in Mongolia. By placing this controlling station here, we could train our professionals, participate in international cooperation, and it will give Mongolian professionals a chance to work for Mongolian national futuristic satellites.
-Are there any reasons NOT to have a national satellite?
-In 1970’s two locations were allocated for satellites in Mongolia. These two locations still remain.We count these two locations as Mongolian but they are not just for Mongolia. The International Telecommunication Satellite Organization allocated these locations to Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Kirgiz to use jointly. We hold the policy on how to use these locations and to own those locations jointly, cooperating with international organizations. Previously, we made a contract and cooperated with Russia for two years. We terminated the contract, because this contract did not give any benefit to Mongolians.
-What year was it?
-We terminated the contract in early 2000. Many countries have failed, but there were works thatwere successful, and thus we must learn a lesson from them. It means, Mongolia must select a good partner and work with fewer risks to implement the project successfully. Regarding cooperation with Japan, we are actively in discussions. About 30 representatives from Japanese governmental and non-governmental organizations, which operate cosmic research direction, hold seminars. During these seminars, we discussed current developments of cosmic technology, where Japan is going compared to this development and other professional topics. The Information, Communications Technology and Post Authority is planning to organize the wide framed seminar jointly with The Asia Pacific Region Organization for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics in September. Also, we plan to organize an exhibition to introduce the cosmic research technologies to the public in May. Opening the exhibition is complicated work, because we need to get many permissions to receive the technologies in Mongolia. Japan has lots of experience in cosmic research, thus we want to apply the application to the international organization jointly with Japan. To build satellites is very complicated. NC Japan Center builds satellites in two years. Taking off is another story - it requires lots of proper calculations.
-Mongolia prepares 3 or 4 people for the cosmic research project per year. Is this enough?
-Currently, we have many organizations that operate using the research satellites, such as meteorology, mineral resource, mining, communication and others. It means Mongolia has the ability and opportunity to advance. The cosmic technologies always develop and change. Thus, we must not understate those 3 or 4 people as they will control the Mongolian satellite. I want to say that to have a satellite is not just a Mongolian issue, it’s an international issue.
-Some locations are not available for viewing on the Mongolian map. Is this a problem?
-Of course. For example, the Mineral Resources Department has the ability to receive the information from satellites and to use them for their operation. But, the cost is so expensive they receive the information through foreign loans and grants. It requires lots of money to receive the information with the help of other nation’s satellites. If we have our own satellite, it will be better and we will receive enough information. The mining departments could use the research satellite.
-When will the second cosmonaut of Mongolia take off?
-The issue to prepare the second cosmonaut is being discussed by Mongolian policy makers.The Mongolian Academy of Science and Ministry of Education, Culture and Science organized a seminar last week for cosmic research and issued seven references. We need to make certain the scheme will work. To have our own satellite doesn’t means it will take off from Mongolia. If the remaining locations for Mongolia do not work, we will compromise other countries. That’s why I’m saying the word international cooperation again and again. We will search the locations suitable for Mongolian necessity. Satellites are international business.
-Compared to other countries, how far behind is Mongolia?
-The cosmic technology is comparably a new thing for Mongolia. I do not want to say Mongolia is left behind – we have just participated less.
-I’ve heard that Mongolia will soon have a joint satellite with Japan. Is this true?
-The Prime Minister of Mongolia recently had an official visit to Japan. During this visit the Information, Communications Technology and Post Authority of Mongolia and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation to cooperate on the cosmic technology sector. The main goal of this memorandum is to implement the project successfully until 2015. We must cooperate with other international organizations which have rich experience in order to implement the project successfully. We see this cooperation taking several directions. First of all, we must educate and prepare the professionals.
According to this, we are planning to make an agreement about Mongolians studying cosmic studies in Japanese universities. There is the Asia Pacific Region Organization for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics. Mongolia has joined this organization and has been cooperating since 1992.
By cooperating with this organization 3 or 4 people will study in China, per year. When we had a meeting with the NC Japan Center, they said they were working to build the satellite for international research. They will place the controlling stations in various countries for research, because it is a satellite for international research. We have therefore, requested that they place their controlling station in Mongolia. By placing this controlling station here, we could train our professionals, participate in international cooperation, and it will give Mongolian professionals a chance to work for Mongolian national futuristic satellites.
-Are there any reasons NOT to have a national satellite?
-In 1970’s two locations were allocated for satellites in Mongolia. These two locations still remain.We count these two locations as Mongolian but they are not just for Mongolia. The International Telecommunication Satellite Organization allocated these locations to Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Kirgiz to use jointly. We hold the policy on how to use these locations and to own those locations jointly, cooperating with international organizations. Previously, we made a contract and cooperated with Russia for two years. We terminated the contract, because this contract did not give any benefit to Mongolians.
-What year was it?
-We terminated the contract in early 2000. Many countries have failed, but there were works thatwere successful, and thus we must learn a lesson from them. It means, Mongolia must select a good partner and work with fewer risks to implement the project successfully. Regarding cooperation with Japan, we are actively in discussions. About 30 representatives from Japanese governmental and non-governmental organizations, which operate cosmic research direction, hold seminars. During these seminars, we discussed current developments of cosmic technology, where Japan is going compared to this development and other professional topics. The Information, Communications Technology and Post Authority is planning to organize the wide framed seminar jointly with The Asia Pacific Region Organization for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics in September. Also, we plan to organize an exhibition to introduce the cosmic research technologies to the public in May. Opening the exhibition is complicated work, because we need to get many permissions to receive the technologies in Mongolia. Japan has lots of experience in cosmic research, thus we want to apply the application to the international organization jointly with Japan. To build satellites is very complicated. NC Japan Center builds satellites in two years. Taking off is another story - it requires lots of proper calculations.
-Mongolia prepares 3 or 4 people for the cosmic research project per year. Is this enough?
-Currently, we have many organizations that operate using the research satellites, such as meteorology, mineral resource, mining, communication and others. It means Mongolia has the ability and opportunity to advance. The cosmic technologies always develop and change. Thus, we must not understate those 3 or 4 people as they will control the Mongolian satellite. I want to say that to have a satellite is not just a Mongolian issue, it’s an international issue.
-Some locations are not available for viewing on the Mongolian map. Is this a problem?
-Of course. For example, the Mineral Resources Department has the ability to receive the information from satellites and to use them for their operation. But, the cost is so expensive they receive the information through foreign loans and grants. It requires lots of money to receive the information with the help of other nation’s satellites. If we have our own satellite, it will be better and we will receive enough information. The mining departments could use the research satellite.
-When will the second cosmonaut of Mongolia take off?
-The issue to prepare the second cosmonaut is being discussed by Mongolian policy makers.The Mongolian Academy of Science and Ministry of Education, Culture and Science organized a seminar last week for cosmic research and issued seven references. We need to make certain the scheme will work. To have our own satellite doesn’t means it will take off from Mongolia. If the remaining locations for Mongolia do not work, we will compromise other countries. That’s why I’m saying the word international cooperation again and again. We will search the locations suitable for Mongolian necessity. Satellites are international business.
-Compared to other countries, how far behind is Mongolia?
-The cosmic technology is comparably a new thing for Mongolia. I do not want to say Mongolia is left behind – we have just participated less.
It means, Mongolia must select a good partner and work with fewer risks to implement the project successfully.
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