SCIENCE

Nasa has scrapped its planned climate research project at U-tapao military airport after the cabinet failed to approve the project by a Tuesday deadline set by the US space agency.

"Nasa cancelled the SEAC4RS mission, which was scheduled to begin in August 2012, due to the absence of necessary approvals by regional authorities in the timeframe necessary to support the mission's planned deployment and scientific observation window," according to a statement posted on Nasa's website yesterday.

SEAC4RS refers to the Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study, which will address key questions about the influence of Asian emissions on clouds, climate and air quality.

The agency also stressed the need to use U-tapao airport in Rayong province as a base for Nasa's aircraft used in the project.

"Basing the aircraft in Thailand is optimal for achieving science objectives with a preferred base in U-tapao," Nasa said.

Nasa's statement came shortly after the government this week resolved to send the project proposal to parliament for debate in August.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont yesterday said the parliamentary debate on the matter was no longer required since Nasa had now cancelled the project.

But he said the government can still include the project on the House agenda if it wants to explain it.

US embassy spokeswoman Kristin Kneedler told the Bangkok Post via email that to accomplish the scientific goals, the programme needed to start no later than the middle of August. This is because the SEAC4RS mission targeted the study of certain seasonal atmospheric phenomena only active in the region during August and September.

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Nasa scraps U-tapao plan for climate research