“Satellite Gravimetry Summer School 2026: Applications of GRACE/GRACE-FO for Water Resources and Disaster Management”
Published July 30, 2026 | 10-minute read
ENG
THAI
Satellite Gravimetry Summer School 2026
23–24 July 2026
At Milton E. Bender Jr. Auditorium, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
Advancing Capacity in Satellite Gravimetry for Water Resources and Disaster Management
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) successfully organized the Satellite Gravimetry Summer School 2026, held on 23–24 July 2026 under the research project: “Enhancing Satellite Gravimetry Data for Sustainable Water Resource and Disaster Management in Thailand and Southeast Asia” funded by the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B)
The two-day Summer School aimed to introduce the principles of Satellite Gravimetry and demonstrate how GRACE/GRACE-FO satellite observations can be applied to monitor terrestrial water storage, support integrated water resources management, and improve disaster monitoring and climate resilience.
The event also provided an excellent platform for researchers, government agencies, universities, and young professionals to exchange knowledge and establish collaborative networks.
Bringing Together Thailand’s Water and Geospatial Community
77 participants from government agencies, universities, and the private sector attended the Summer School.
Most participants were government officers and academic researchers working in hydrology, water resources, GIS, disaster management, and Earth observation, highlighting the growing interest in satellite gravimetry across Thailand.
|
Organization |
Participants |
|
Chiang Mai University (CMU) |
1 |
|
University of Phayao (UP) |
1 |
|
Chandrakasem Rajabhat University (CRU) |
1 |
|
Mahasarakham University (MSU) |
1 |
|
Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage (VRU) |
1 |
|
Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) |
1 |
|
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) |
1 |
|
North Eastern University (NEU) |
2 |
|
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) |
1 |
|
Chulalongkorn University |
5 |
|
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) |
2 |
|
Thammasat University (TU) |
1 |
|
Kasetsart University (KU) |
6 |
|
Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (RMUTI) |
1 |
|
Silpakorn University (SU) |
1 |
|
Burapha University (BUU) |
1 |
|
Ramkhamhaeng University (RU) |
1 |
|
Khon Kaen University (KKU) |
1 |
|
Panya Consultant Co., Ltd. |
4 |
|
TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Public Company Limited (TEAM Group) |
3 |
|
Infraplus Co., Ltd. |
1 |
|
Land Development Department (LDD) |
4 |
|
Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) |
6 |
|
Royal Irrigation Department (RID) |
2 |
|
Department of Water Resources (DWR) |
3 |
|
Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR) |
1 |
|
Royal Thai Air Force Space Operations Center |
1 |
|
Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) |
2 |
|
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) (GISTDA) |
15 |
|
Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA) |
3 |
|
Forest Resources Management Office No. 7 (Khon Kaen) |
1 |
|
General Public |
1 |
|
National Institute of Metrology (Thailand) (NIMT) |
1 |
Theme 1
Satellite Gravimetry for Water Resources Management
The first day of the Summer School focused on “Satellite Gravimetry for Water Resources Management.” The event was officially opened by Dr. Jitti Mungkalasiri, Deputy Director of the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), who emphasized the importance of developing human capacity and promoting the application of space technologies to strengthen water resources management and climate resilience in Thailand.
Figure 1: Dr. Jitti Mungkalasiri, Deputy Director of the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), delivered the Opening Remarks for Theme 1 of the Satellite Gravimetry Summer School 2026.
The technical sessions began with Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub (AIT), who introduced the fundamentals of the GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite missions, terrestrial water storage (TWS), and their applications in monitoring groundwater, basin-scale water storage variations, and drought conditions.
Figure 2: Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) delivered a lecture entitled “Tracking Water Resources from Satellite Gravimetry.
This was followed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Piyathida Ruangrassamee (Chulalongkorn University), who discussed integrated water resources management, current challenges facing Thailand’s water sector, and the role of satellite observations and geospatial information in supporting evidence-based decision-making.
Figure 3: Dr. Piyathida Ruangrassamee from Chulalongkorn University delivered a lecture entitled “Water Resources Management.
The morning concluded with a joint lecture by Asst. Prof. Dr. Saowanit Prabnakorn (Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi) and Ms. Chinaporn Meechaiya (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center) on climate change impacts on hydrology, highlighting future climate challenges, hydrological variability, and adaptation strategies for sustainable water management.
Figure 4: Dr. Saowanit Prabnakorn from Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi and Ms. Chinaporn Meechaiya from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) delivered a lecture entitled “Climate Change Impacts on Hydrology.”
In the afternoon, participants joined a hands-on Mini Project led by Dr. Kittipol Boonma and the ALICE Laboratory research team, where they explored real GRACE datasets, performed practical analyses, and presented their findings, reinforcing the concepts introduced during the lectures.
Figure 5: Dr. Kittipol Boonma and Research team from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) demonstrated the Mini-Project and introduced the hands-on practical session.
Figure 6: Participants conducted hands-on Mini-Project activities using satellite gravimetry datasets, followed by group presentations and discussions of the project results with the instructors.
Theme 2
Satellite Gravimetry for Disaster Monitoring
The second day focused on “Satellite Gravimetry for Disaster Monitoring and Assessment.” The program was opened by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekbodin Vinijkul, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, who highlighted the growing importance of space technologies in supporting disaster resilience and sustainable development.
Figure 7: Dr. Ekbodin Vinijkul, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), delivered the Opening Remarks for Theme 2 of the Satellite Gravimetry Summer School 2026.
The first lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Chalermchon Satirapod (Chulalongkorn University), providing an introduction to satellite geodesy, Earth’s gravity field, and the role of satellite observations in understanding the Earth system.
Figure 8: Prof. Dr. Chalermchon Satirapod from Chulalongkorn University delivered an online lecture entitled “Introduction to Satellite Geodesy and the Earth System.”
The program continued with Captain Sommart Niamnil, who presented applications of satellite observations in oceanography, sea level rise, and coastal impacts, emphasizing their importance for monitoring long-term environmental change.
Figure 9: Captain Sommart Niamnil delivered a lecture entitled “Oceanography: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Impacts.”
The final lecture was given by Asst. Prof. Dr. Anuphao Obpata (Kasetsart University), who discussed the application of satellite gravimetry in monitoring earthquakes, land subsidence, floods, and droughts through real-world case studies and multidisciplinary geospatial analysis.
Figure 10: Dr. Anuphao Obpat from Kasetsart University delivered a lecture entitled “Disaster Events: Earthquakes, Subsidence, Floods, and Droughts.
The afternoon practical session featured another Mini Project, led by Dr. Kittipol Boonma the research team, enabling participants to process and interpret satellite gravimetry data for disaster assessment before presenting their project outcomes.
Figure 11: Dr. Kittipol Boonma and Research team from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) demonstrated the Mini-Project and introduced the hands-on practical session.
Figure 12: Participants engaged in hands-on Mini-Project activities using satellite gravimetry datasets, followed by presentations of the project outcomes and interactive discussions with the instructors.
Training Outcomes
The post-training evaluation demonstrated significant positive outcomes.
Key findings include:
- More than 85% of participants had never used GRACE/GRACE-FO data before attending the Summer School.
- Most participants intended to apply the acquired knowledge to research and operational water management.
- Self-assessed knowledge improved across all evaluated topics after the training.
- Overall satisfaction with the lectures, speakers, hands-on sessions, and event organization was rated high to very high.
Participants also recommended extending future training programs, providing more advanced hands-on sessions, and continuing the development of data services and web-based dashboards.
Conclusion
The Satellite Gravimetry Summer School 2026 successfully achieved its objective of strengthening participants’ knowledge and practical skills in applying GRACE/GRACE-FO satellite data for water resources management and disaster monitoring. The program brought together participants from government agencies, universities, and the private sector, providing an excellent platform for interdisciplinary learning, knowledge exchange, and professional networking.
Post-training evaluations indicated substantial improvements in participants’ understanding of satellite gravimetry, terrestrial water storage (TWS), hydrological applications, and disaster assessment. Participants also expressed a high level of satisfaction with the lectures, invited speakers, hands-on activities, and the overall organization of the event. Many recommended organizing similar training programs in the future with extended practical sessions and more advanced technical content.
This Summer School represents an important milestone for the research team in strengthening national capacity in satellite gravimetry and Earth observation applications. The program also helped establish a collaborative network among researchers, academics, and practitioners, fostering the application of satellite gravimetry and geospatial technologies to support sustainable water resources management, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience in Thailand.
HOMEPAGE
ALICE-LAB: Asian Land Information for Climate and Environmental Research Laboratory
Advancing Agriculture, Climate, Environmental, and Disaster Monitoring Through Satellite-Based Soil Moisture Retrieval and Applications in South East Asia
This workshop is focused on enhancing the understanding and utilization of satellite-based soil moisture data, particularly in the context of climate, agriculture, and disaster risk management. It aims to raise awareness among stakeholders in South East Asia about the significance of satellite-based soil moisture data, its applications, and the necessity of calibration and validation efforts to improve data accuracy.