Thailand’s THEOS-2 Satellite Makes History with Successful Launch by Airbus
The Airbus-constructed THEOS-2 Earth observation satellite has been triumphantly launched aboard a Vega rocket from Kourou, Europe’s spaceport located in French Guiana. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand (GISTDA) appointed Airbus as a collaborator for its state-of-the-art national geo-information system in 2018.
Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, stated: “The successful launch of THEOS-2, delivering 50cm imagery, solidifies Thailand’s standing among the select group of nations possessing sovereign access to high-resolution geostrategic data. We are committed to supporting GISTDA’s aspirations to create an extensive geo-information system that will benefit the Kingdom of Thailand.”
THEOS-2 is the successor to the Airbus-produced THEOS-1 satellite, which was launched in 2008 and continues to provide imagery well beyond its intended 10-year operational life. Within the scope of the THEOS-2 initiative, GISTDA’s geo-information system gains from satellite imagery sourced from the Airbus constellation of optical and radar Earth observation satellites like Pléiades and TerraSAR-X.
The agreement further encompasses a second Earth observation satellite – THEOS-2 SmallSAT – sourced from Airbus’ subsidiary SSTL, paired with a thorough capacity-building program involving Thai engineers in the development of applications, ground segment operations, and the SmallSAT spacecraft itself. THEOS-2 SmallSAT is derived from SSTL’s CARBONITE series of Earth observation spacecraft and has been successfully delivered to Thailand.
SSTL also proposes an educational initiative for GISTDA to empower Thai engineers to design, fabricate, integrate, and test similar small satellites in Thailand moving forward.
The imagery generated from the THEOS-2 program will play a pivotal role in GISTDA’s upcoming Thai Earth observation system, which will support multiple dimensions, including but not limited to social and security oversight, urban and economic corridor management, natural resource and ecosystem stewardship, water resource management, disaster response, and agricultural administration.
