Scientists in Canberra gained a unique experience of seeing Japan from space yesterday.

In a world-first demonstration, "live" pictures taken by the Japanese Midori ("Green") satellite were transmitted from Hatoyama ground station near Tokyo, to Canberra's National Convention Centre. Midori (also known as ADEOS, or Advanced Earth Observing Satellite) was launched on 17 August from Tanegashima Space Center.

Scientists and space agency officials from over thirty countries, meeting in Australia for the first time, have been discussing better ways of organising the world's Earth observing effort, to support scientific research, resource monitoring, and other applications of satellite measurements of the world's oceans, atmosphere, ice caps and ground surfaces.

Most of the world's space agencies are members of CEOS, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, an international organisation for remote-sensing co-operation founded in 1984. CSIRO's Dr Brian Embleton was elected Chair of CEOS at the last meeting, in Montreal last year.

"The election was international recognition of CSIRO's commitment to deliver environmental and social benefits from space technology,' said Dr Embleton. "Data management networks, like the one demonstrated today in Canberra, will enable researchers around the world to share the same observations. Users will be able to preview, order and use data stored anywhere in the world," he said.

Space organisations in India, Japan, China and Australia took part in the demonstration, which was organised by CSIRO and the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Computational Systems. CSIRO joined CEOS in 1989, and represents Earth observation organisations from Australia. CEOS members work towards matching future Earth observation projects with data users' needs.

More information from: Jeff Kingwell or Wayne Deeker, 014 847 526
About the network demonstration: Dr John Lilleyman 06 216 7064