GISTDA’s School Satellite: Knowledge Transfer to Enabling Thai Youth to Develop Real Satellites

Nowadays, space is no longer a distant frontier for everyone, as space technology plays an increasingly significant role in our daily lives, paving the way for humanity to venture further into deep space.

   This kickstarted a worldwide trend to develop advanced technologies, especially satellites. With the commercialization of the space launch vehicle, launching satellites to Earth's orbit and beyond has become significantly cheaper than ever.

   The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Thailand's space agency, is committed to developing space and geo-informatics technology into boundless knowledge for public benefit. This starts with personnel training and development to support the operation of the THEOS-1 satellite since 2008 and continues with the development of the THEOS-2A satellite in collaboration with Surrey Satellite from the United Kingdom, which is currently preparing for its launch into space soon.

GISTDA engineers have participated in the design and development of the THEOS-2A satellite, obtaining advanced knowledge that can be transferred to the development of THEOS-3, the next generation of high-resolution Earth-observing satellite. This knowledge and experience are also shared with interested individuals, especially students who will become the key drivers of the country's future.

   To further transfer knowledge and the necessary operational skills, GISTDA launched the School Satellite project for the first time in 2023. Where high school students will have the opportunity to use satellite development equipment, work on-site at the Satellite Assembly Integration and Testing Center, and consult directly with GISTDA engineers.

   The success of this project has led to the second consecutive year of the School Satellite project, Chidchanok Chaichuenchob, GISTDA satellite engineer and director of satellite assembly testing and launch, revealed at the Kibo Utilization Workshop 2025 that "more than 100 teams from across the country submitted proposals. 18 teams were selected for the first round to participate in an on-site camp at GISTDA, and then 6 teams were selected for the second round."

   Teams selected from the first round receive basic satellite development knowledge, participate in an on-site camp to meet with engineering teams, tour GISTDA's research and operation centers, as well as the Satellite Assembly Integration and Testing Center. Students will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues who share similar interests. Teams reaching the second round have the opportunity to develop a 3U CubeSat (30x10x10 cm) Engineering Model to test the functionality of various systems.

   Students were involved in the Satellite Mission Design phase, which is the process that defines the objectives and plans for developing a satellite to fulfill a specific mission. This includes assembling and testing the various systems of the satellite, as well as conducting Environment Verification Tests (EVT) in collaboration with GISTDA engineers.

   In 2024, GISTDA selected five outstanding youth in various satellite assembly positions, including Flight Software, RF, System, Structure, and Electronic, to represent Thailand in designing, assembling, and testing a Flight Model satellite, which will be launched into space in 2026.

   In addition to the School Satellite competition, GISTDA recognizes the importance of inspiring youth to pursue careers in the space industry. GISTDA is developing space infrastructure and supporting various projects to transfer knowledge and develop Thai personnel, preparing them for the new space economy era and fostering a sustainable domestic space industry.

Students who are interested in the School Satellite project and other GISTDA activities can follow GISTDA's social media channels for more project details.