By Linda Khoo Hui Li
BANGKOK, Aug 15 (NNN-Bernama) — Thailand’s second satellite system for earth observation, THEOS-2, will be launched from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana in either late August or early September.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said assembly and testing of THEOS-2, which is designed and developed by the Thais through knowledge transfer and capacity building, is complete.
“It is now kept at the Airbus Test Facility in Toulouse, France, ready to be launched.
“THEOS-2’s mission duration is expected to be three years. However, the launch schedule and timeline are subject to change pending associated factor and situation,” she said in a statement.
She added that the THEOS-2A, Thailand’s small observation optical satellite is also scheduled to be launched at the end of October from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, India.
She said THEOS-2A is now kept at the National Satellite Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) facilities in the Space Krenovation Park (SKP), located in Sri Racha, Chonburi province in Thailand.
Rachada said the government has placed great importance on the development of space technology and infrastructure, such as Control Ground Segment, satellite data warehouse, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA)’s Aerospace Laboratory of Excellence and Innovation (GALAXI), and National Satellite Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) facilities, which is located in the Space Krenovation Park (SKP).
“The government also focuses on human resource development to support the growth of space industry. Engineers from the Thai GISTDA were sent to UK for transfer of knowledge to enable the Thai engineers to design, manufacture, integrate, and test similar satellites in Thailand in the future.
“They had chances to undertake a variety of hands-on tasks to build their experience and capability in satellite engineering. GISTDA also plans to foster new batches of space engineers and aims to develop a 100 per cent Thai-produced “THEOS-3” satellite,” she said.
Rachada said caretaker Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan o-cha handed down a policy to drive the development of space technology to enhance national competitiveness and promote socio-economic advancement toward security, prosperity, and sustainability.
— NNN-BERNAMA