First Thai observation satellite in October

Thailand's first earth observation satellite, called THEOS, is being readied for launching into orbit in October this year, Science and Technology Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong said Friday.

The THEOS project represents a co-operation of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the contracted French company EADS Astrium, which has entered its final stage and is expected to be completed in August or September, and be launched into orbit in October as scheduled, the minister said.

EADS Astrium was contracted to build and deliver THEOS by the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) in Bangkok in 2004.

The THEOS testing programme is expected to begin in February, while installation of its satellite signal receiving systems at ground terminals began early this month. The Thai engineers working for the project have been trained in France, Mr. Yongyuth said.

The minister said the satellite will provide the kingdom with worldwide geo-referenced image products and image-processing capabilities for applications in cartography, land use, agricultural monitoring, forestry management, coastal zone monitoring and flood risk management.

THEOS is intended to help Thailand in implement its agriculture policy with better production follow-up and improved natural disaster management, especially relating to forest fires, flood response, as well as earthquakes, he said. (TNA)

Thailand News : Breaking News
Bangkok Post
Friday January 26, 2007