Vichit Satharanond, chairman of the agency, said the 750-kilogram satellite - built by France-based EADS Astrium - would be launched into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 822 kilometres, from which it will provide geo-referenced images for application in a wide range of fields. These include cartography, land use, agricultural monitoring, forest-resource assessment, forest-fire monitoring, flood-risk management, disaster monitoring, coastal-zone monitoring, forestry, agriculture, water resources, disaster monitoring and national security.

Its capabilities include two-metre resolution in panchromatic mode and 15-metre resolution in multispectral mode.

To develop and create space technology and skills, the agency worked with EADS Astrium to train 20 Thai engineers in satellite construction so they will have the knowledge needed to operate the satellite. It's also hoped the training will help them further develop this kind of satellite in the future.

He said that in the early stages, the Thai engineering team would operate the Theos ground control centre and receiving station in Chon Buri province, which will provide satellite images covering 17 countries in the region.

 "Theos is very useful to Thailand and neighbouring countries as it offers information and satellite images for local development and early warning of disasters," said Vichit.

The agency also plans to provide satellite images to other countries, from which it expects to generate revenue of about Bt3 billion in the next five years.

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation