THEOS-3’s Next Step: A Mission to Elevate the Space Economy with a Thai-made Satellite

An update on the progress of "THEOS-3," GISTDA’s next Earth observation satellite, which showcases the potential of Thai personnel in domestically designing, manufacturing, assembling, and testing satellites. This milestone drives Thailand into the "space economy" era with stability and sustainability.

Currently, Thailand has THEOS-1 and THEOS-2 stationed in orbit. These two high-resolution Earth observation satellites consistently provide data to support various agencies. THEOS-3 will reinforce this mission while offering a wider imaging swath, making it more efficient and suitable for agricultural and disaster management applications.

THEOS-3 will utilize satellite mission management software, or Flight Software, designed and developed 100% by Thai engineers. This software controls satellite subsystems, manages command handling, and processes mission data to ensure the satellite operates according to its goals in tandem with ground control systems. The GISTDA team is currently testing the software with the satellite's Engineering Model (EM) at the National Satellite Assembly Integration and Test Center (NAIT) to ensure all systems function as planned before the actual launch into space.

In addition to the software design by Thai engineers, more than 10% of THEOS-3's components are manufactured in Thailand by domestic entrepreneurs. These include the main structure, power distribution system, solar panels, and antennas. This achievement reflects the development of the domestic Space Supply Chain through GISTDA's knowledge transfer to the private sector.

THEOS-3's capabilities include imaging in the Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR) and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) spectrums with a wider field of view than the first two satellites. This is highly beneficial for agricultural data usage, such as monitoring crop growth, health, and vitality, as well as agricultural disasters. The wider coverage allows for continuous tracking of changes, aligning with the needs of most agencies in Thailand.

All developments continue to take place at the National Satellite Assembly Integration and Test Center located within the Space Krenovation Park in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. This is the first NAIT center in ASEAN to pass world-class standards, capable of assembling satellites in a particle-controlled environment under international regulations. It features equipment that simulates the harsh environments satellites face in space, such as launch vibration testing machines and a thermal vacuum simulator with a temperature cycle of -170 to 170 degrees Celsius, mimicking the actual conditions as a satellite orbits Earth, transitioning from the cold of night to the heat of day.

THEOS-3 marks a major milestone in building a sustainable Space Ecosystem in Thailand. This ecosystem spans mission design, component development, and GISTDA's knowledge transfer to the private sector, leading to assembly, testing, and launch preparations. Ultimately, the resulting data can be utilized and applied to various demands for maximum benefit, granting Thailand its own space data sovereignty and cultivating a highly skilled workforce to keep pace with the growth of the global space economy.

The THEOS-3 satellite is part of GISTDA's Earth observation satellite constellation, which aims to develop a total of 18 satellites to comprehensively cover various applications in Thailand. The knowledge gained from this project can be extended to future generations within the constellation, while simultaneously being applied as spin-offs to generate new innovations.

As a "Thai-made, Thai-used" satellite, this initiative defines Thailand’s space future, driven by Thai people, for Thai people.