Thailand’s first satellite for earth exploration is being prepared for a launch scheduled for early 2023. It was recently reported that the Theos-2 satellite is currently being tested at the Satellite Testing Centre at Space Inspirium in Sriracha district, Chonburi.
The satellite was assembled in the United Kingdom and was co-developed by a team of British satellite experts and 20 Thai engineers from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).
The small satellite weighs around 100kg and is equipped with GPS, sensors for solar light intensity and magnetic field and cameras to capture high-resolution images of one square meter per pixel of the earth.
After the launch, the satellite will orbit the earth 13-14 times a day and pass Thailand 3-4 times daily. The data and images gathered will be used for territorial exploration and propel Thailand’s space program.
The satellite is part of the cooperation between four organizations, namely the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, Thai Aviation Industries, the Thai Subcontracting Promotion Association and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand aimed at developing the aviation and space industry in a bid to reduce reliance on foreign technology.
(Sources: The Nation; The Star)
