Thailand’s Strategy to Embark on Lunar Exploration! Seeking a unique position between the U.S. and China【Space Business Trend Commentary: APSCC 2024】
APSCC 2024 (Asia Pacific Satellite Communication Council 2024 ) was held in Bangkok, Thailand from, November 5 to 7, 2024. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the event, which was made even more spectacular with parties held every day. Warpspace’s CSO/US CEO, Mr. Mori, participated in the event and took part in a panel discussion.
The conference has focused on satellite communications in the Asia-Pacific region, but this year’s event attracted participants from a wide range of industries, and business discussions were lively. Thailand Space Week 2024 was also held simultaneously, and it was clear that Thailand is enthusiastic about the space industry.
In this article, we report on the current status and outlook of the space industry in Thailand, based on what Mori has learned in the field. ( Click here for last year’s article)
Thailand’s space strategy wavers between the U.S. and China
In October 2024, the Thai government approved participation in the U.S.-led Artemis mission. Artemis mission is an international project for lunar exploration and base construction, and participation in this project is an extremely significant step for Thailand to enter lunar exploration and demonstrate its presence on the international stage.
At the same time, however, Thailand has concluded a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project led by China in April 2024, indicating that Thailand’s strategy is to develop its space development while maintaining a balance in its cooperative relationship with both major powers.
Furthermore, at Thailand Space Week 2024, a memorandum of understanding was announced regarding a lunar exploration mission by Japan’s ispace, the Thai government agency GISTDA, and mu Space. Through this collaboration, the technical partnership with Japan will be further deepened.
Until now, Thailand’s space industry has focused on remote sensing, but with the signing of these agreements, the country is expected to embark on a new stage of lunar exploration.
Reference
(*1 [ ispace ] ispace, GISTDA, and mu Space Agree to Collaborate on Lunar Exploration Mission for Thailand’s National Space Program)
(*2 [ the Nation ] Signing of Artemis Accords to expand space technology development)
(*3 【CNSA】中国与泰国将开展国际月球科研站等航天合作)
The History of Thai Space Development Includes Japan
Thailand’s space development began in the 1960s with the transfer of remote sensing technology from the United States. Subsequently, the National Research Council (NRCT) was established in response to NASA’s Landsat program, and satellite data utilization for environmental monitoring and resource management was promoted. Then, in 1982, a ground communication station was established, making it possible to receive satellite data for the first time in Southeast Asia.
In 1986, the Japanese and Thai governments began joint research on remote sensing using Japan’s Marine Observation Satellite (MOS-1). Japan also provided support in receiving equipment, and a close relationship was established between Japan and Thailand.
This was followed by the launch of Thailand’s first earth observation satellite, THEOS, in 2008, which will be followed by THEOS-2 in 2023. These satellites are used for agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning, supporting Thailand’s ability to utilize its space data.
Reference
( Bangkok Weekly Report: Space Industry Continues to Grow Rapidly in the Global Market, Accelerating Japan-Thailand Space Exchange)
Thaicom, a private company supporting Thailand’s telecommunication infrastructure
Thaicom, a private company, plays an important role in Thailand’s telecommunication infrastructure. Normally, satellite communications as social infrastructure are owned and managed by the country for security and national stability in case of emergency.
For example, Japan has “SKY Perfect JSAT,” and in the United States, there are several state-owned or quasi-state-owned satellite communication companies, each protecting their own country’s infrastructure.
TAICOM is a private but quasi-state-owned company that receives support from the government and is particularly focused on providing domestic communications services using geostationary orbital satellites. Geostationary orbit satellites are suitable for providing stable broadcasting and communication services in Thailand because they can stably cover a certain area from a specific location. As a public company, this allows Taicom to serve as an important infrastructure to narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas, covering broadcasting, data communications, and the IoT (Internet of Things) sector.
New Prospects in the Field of Optical Satellite Communications
Mori also participated in a panel discussion at this year’s event. The title of the panel was “The Path to Seeing the Light: Checking in on the Development of Optical Communication Networks. The main topic of discussion was the latest trends in optical satellite communications.
In light of the panel session, Mori said,
“While the optical satellite communications sector is gaining momentum, with recent successes in ground-to-space communications by private companies, the harsh reality is that some companies are exiting the market.”
He continues,
“Although no concrete plans have been announced by the Royal Thai Air Force at this time, it is expected to be utilized in the future. The use of Starlink is already underway in the shipping, fishing, and marine-related sectors.”
Warpspace is developing WarpHub InterSat, an optical quick-response communication network service for satellites. Three relay satellites capable of optical communications will transmit data from other satellites to ground stations in a timely and high-capacity manner, to achieve this service by 2025.
Please keep your eyes on Warpspace’s activities in the future.
(Writer: Natsumi Kawaguchi)
