A Thai instrument is set to be carried on a Chinese mission to the Moon next year, putting the country in lunar space for the first time.
Thailand is looking for a space in the rapidly growing sector, and the south’s proximity to the Equator could give the country a huge advantage in the satellite launch market. The government agency GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) has been investigating the possibility and held a spaceport week in August.
Thailand’s largest astronomy institution, NARIT (the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand), operates the largest radio telescope in Southeast Asia in Chiang Mai, and has designs on a new telescope. A Thai experiment recently returned from the International Space Station. A smattering of commercial companies, from satellite manufacturers to launch companies, are setting up shop in Bangkok.
But there are multiple challenges. The investment required for a spaceport would be huge, the specialized skills needed are limited in their availability, and others are decades ahead. As the space industry becomes increasingly dominated by private companies, this event will discuss what Thailand needs to do to move beyond hitching a ride on other countries’ missions.
This panel precedes the Thailand Space Expo, being held in Bangkok (Oct 28-31), along with the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (Oct 26-30), plus the 10th Global Moon Village workshop and symposium (Oct 26-27), all of which will be held at Icon Siam and nearby hotels. It also comes at a time when the world is assessing Washington’s claim that it has weapons deployed in orbit above the Earth.
Speakers:
Atipat Wattanuntacha, acting head, space economy advancement division, GISTDA;
Peerapong Torteeka, the lead on NARIT’s space weather instrument aboard China’s Chang’e-7 lunar mission;
Nattanon Dungsunenarn, editor-in-chief, Spaceth.co;
Jonathan O’Callaghan, – Freelance Space journalist (New York Times, BBC, New Scientist, and more).
Moderator: Sebastien Berger, Southeast Asia bureau chief, Agence France-Presse.
Members who wish to book in advance should email info@fccthai.com or call the FCCT office on 02-652-0580.
Non-members can use this link.
