France - Thailand: Theos-2 satellite was successfully launched into space

The Thai satellite in low orbit, Theos-2, was successfully launched on Monday, October 9 from the Guiana Space Centre.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) announced that the satellite had lifted off at 8:36 a.m. (Thai time) on Monday.

The satellite was initially scheduled to be launched on Saturday, October 7, but the countdown was halted 14 seconds after it began due to technical difficulties.

The space centre is located in French Guiana, South America.

The French company Arianespace reportedly found a problem with the Vega Flight VV23 rocket, whose mission was to transport the Thai satellite along with 10 others into space.

GISTDA announced that the launch was rescheduled for Monday and broadcast live at the satellite control center in Sriracha District, Chonburi.

The Theos-2 Earth observation satellite was developed jointly by GISTDA and Airbus to record images from space, continuing the mission of Theos-1, launched in 2008.

Communication with the satellite will be established within a few days, which will allow its altitude to be adjusted to 650 km before Theos-2 can enter the planned orbit, GISTDA said.

It will take another month or two to verify the various systems of the satellite, including its photographic capability, before it can begin its mission.

GISTDA added that Theos-2 can take high-resolution images of up to 50 centimeters in size and scan around 74,000 square kilometers per day.

The geographic information obtained by this satellite will help Thailand prepare an economic development plan aimed at reducing inequalities in several areas, the agency said.

Thai space agencies are also working on the development of a 100% Thai satellite called 'Theos-3'.

Concrete cooperation between Thailand and France

The Vega Flight VV23 rocket that sent the Theos-2 satellite into space.

The launch of THEOS-2 has significantly proven the progress of concrete cooperation between Thailand and France in the fields of science, technology and innovation.

The leaders of Thailand and France have agreed to elevate and strengthen cooperation for the benefit of both countries.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulates the successful orbiting of THEOS-2 satellite on the morning of October 9, 2023, at 8:36 a.m. (GMT+7 or Thailand time), on board a Vega rocket (VV23) from the Guiana Space Centre of the European Spaceport in French Guiana.

The Vega rocket reached Earth's orbit without incident at 9:30 am, in the presence of witnesses from Thailand and the French Republic at the spaceport, as well as people from around the world who virtually observed this remarkable moment.

The launch of THEOS-2 reiterates the 'Thailand-France Year of Innovation 2023' project, under which the relevant Thai agencies and the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris organized a series of events throughout the year.

The THEOS-2 project has also helped strengthen relations between Thailand and France to make it a strategic partnership in the future.

On this occasion, Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, conveyed the following congratulatory message:

On behalf of the Thai government and all Thai citizens, I would like to congratulate the successful launch of the THEOS-2 satellite today, which is in line with the government's emphasis on the importance of science, technology, and innovation as significant tools for the country's development and improving the quality of life of the population.

The data collected by THEOS-2 will serve as an essential basis for the development of various fields, such as agricultural management, urban planning, natural resource and environmental management, water resource management, and disaster management, which will contribute to the inclusive and equitable improvement of the quality of life of the Thai people.

THEOS-2 is a valuable national asset capable of capturing images with very high resolution up to 50 centimeters per pixel, it is the best among ASEAN countries which is comparable to the satellites of major nations that have sent Earth observation satellites.

In addition, THEOS-2 is a fundamental infrastructure for the Thai scientific and technological sector, and a great pride for our nation.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) for their contribution to the advancement of the Thai space sector.

I have high hopes that THEOS-2 will serve as an additional lever to increase Thailand's capabilities in the field of cutting-edge technologies, in order to improve our society and economy.

See also:

NASA to help Thailand in its space conquest project

Thailand partners with France in space technology

Thailand to go into space in 2023-2027

Source : The Nation Thailand, The Pattaya Mail