MEET THEOS: Southeast Asia's Newest Satellite in Orbit

While most of Southeast Asia was celebrating the Eid-ul-Fitr; Thailand was launching its first natural imaging satellite in Yasny, Russia.

The first and only imaging satellite in Southeast Asia was launched in 01 October 2008 (Wednesday) around 6:37pm by a Russian Dnepr rocket. It was successfully placed in parking orbit and for the first time [in 03 Oct] – orbited across the sky above the kingdom and took photos of the Big Mango! (Bangkok)

*I am eagerly awaiting the released photos! Argh! I can’t wait!*

Its name is THEOS -- a 715-kg satellite built by EADS for Thailand. It stands for THailand Earth Observation System.

And anytime now, will transmit images of world-wide geo-reference photos for environmental & coastal monitoring, forestry & flood risk management and track illicit drug plantation and trafficking. THEOS will provide access to any part of Thailand in less than 48 hours.

THEOS is fully owned, controlled and maintained by Thailand. Its control station is in Sri Racha manned by the Thai Space Agency GISTDA.

The Space Technology race in the region is in full swing! –

Bring it on, Indonesia! =)

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Related Post: Southeast Asian Satellites

SE ASIA’S FIRST SATELLITES IN ORBIT

The very first country in the world to launch an artificial satellite into orbit is the Soviet Union in 1957. The United States followed the next year. From then on, all of the world’s wealthiest nations launched theirs in the 1960s.

Only nineteen years later, Southeast Asia’s first satellite was launched by Indonesia in 1976. Who among us haven’t heard of the famous Palapa Satellite? Well, I did! And they launched another one the next year, the Palapa 2.

Our region used Indonesia’s Palapa for broadcasting and telecommunications until Thailand launched its own satellite in 1993 named Thaicom, Southeast Asia’s 2nd country after 17 years.

Three years later, Malaysia launched MEASAT in 1996 and the Philippines launched Mabuhay1 the next year.

All of these satellites (and succeeding ones) were launched by the help of western countries. BUT starting 2010, Southeast Asia would have space rocket launching capability --Thanks to our wonderful neighbor, Indonesia. (source)

Indonesia will build Southeast Asia’s very first Spaceport. It is said that it would be Asia’s most advanced facility surpassing even China’s. This will fortify Indonesia’s dominance in Space Technology in our region and ensuring Southeast Asia isn't left behind.

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