The Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (), abbreviated MRSA or ARSM, was a department responsible for

remote sensing Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an physical object, object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object, in contrast to in situ or on-site observation. The term is applied especially to acquiring inform ...

under the

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Malaysia) The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (), abbreviated MOSTI, is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia. In the Seventh Mahathir cabinet, the entire component of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Green ...

. On 20 February 2019, the

Malaysian Cabinet The Cabinet of Malaysia ( Malay: ''Jemaah Menteri Malaysia'') is the executive branch of the Government of Malaysia. Led by the Prime Minister, the cabinet is a council of ministers who are accountable collectively to the Parliament. According ...

had approved the merging of the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA) and National Space Agency (ANGKASA) to establish the

Malaysian Space Agency The Malaysian Space Agency (), abbreviated MYSA, is the national space agency of Malaysia. On 20 February 2019, the Malaysian Cabinet had approved the establishment of MYSA through the merging of Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA) and Na ...

(MYSA).

Background

Malaysian Centre of Remote Sensing (MACRES) or Pusat Remote Sensing Negara was established in August 1988 as a

research and development Research and development (R&D or R+D), known in some countries as OKB, experiment and design, is the set of innovative activities undertaken by corporations or governments in developing new services or products. R&D constitutes the first stage ...

centre in remote sensing and related technologies. It was recognised as a federal institute of research in the field of remote sensing and related technologies. On 15 February 2008, MACRES was upgraded as a full government department and known as Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA). MRSA started with a team of 17 professionals and supporting staff. By 2018, the total post has been increased to 226 professionals.

Facilities

MRSA is equipped with

computer system A computer is a machine that can be programmed to automatically carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (''computation''). Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as ''programs'', wh ...

for satellite data

image processing An image or picture is a visual representation. An image can be two-dimensional, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or three-dimensional, such as a carving or sculpture. Images may be displayed through other media, including a pr ...

geographic information system A geographic information system (GIS) consists of integrated computer hardware and Geographic information system software, software that store, manage, Spatial analysis, analyze, edit, output, and Cartographic design, visualize Geographic data ...

and

global positioning system The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based hyperbolic navigation system owned by the United States Space Force and operated by Mission Delta 31. It is one of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that provide ge ...

, a satellite ground receiving station for real time

data acquisition Data acquisition is the process of sampling signals that measure real-world physical conditions and converting the resulting samples into digital numeric values that can be manipulated by a computer. Data acquisition systems, abbreviated by the ...

, microwave remote sensing laboratory (

anechoic chamber An anechoic chamber (''an-echoic'' meaning "non-reflective" or "without echoes") is a room designed to stop reflection (physics), reflections or Echo (phenomenon), echoes of either sound or electromagnetic waves. They are also often isolate ...

, mobile scatterometer), remote sensing digital photographic laboratory and remote sensing data archiving and retrieval centre.

Organisation structure

* Director General ** Management Division ** Strategic and Public Relations Directorate ** Deputy Director General (Research and Development) *** Remote Sensing Application Development Division *** Geospatial Data Development and Analysis Division *** Sensor System Development Division ** Deputy Director General (Technical Services) *** Remote Sensing Data Processing and Distribution Division *** Geospatial ICT Management Division *** Remote Sensing Data Reception Division

Major programme

There are two main programme in MRSA:

Research and development (R&D)

The R&D programme involves research on remote sensing, GIS and related technology applications in the field of agriculture, natural resources, environment, disaster, national security as well as management of land development. It also focuses on spatial data analysis and GIS modelling, computer system and sensors and provide technical advice on the use of remote sensing technology in the country.

Technical services

Technical Services is focused on maintaining the operation and services or MRSA as a one stop centre in remote sensing technology.

Services offered by MRSA

MRSA accepts application for satellite remote sensing data for 3 categories: * Non-restricted Remote Sensing Satellite Images for image resolution of more than 5m * Restricted Remote Sensing Satellite Images * Free Remote Sensing Satellite Images under the Category of Research and Education Further information and application forms can be downloade
here.
The Remote Sensing Data Web Catalogue can be accesse
here

References

External links

* {{authority control Federal ministries, departments and agencies of Malaysia Science and technology in Malaysia Scientific organisations based in Malaysia Remote sensing organizations Governmental meteorological agencies in Asia 2008 establishments in Malaysia Government agencies established in 2008 Ministry of Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment (Malaysia)