NARIT News
NARIT plays a key role in promoting Thai-Chinese
space cooperation through lunar and deep space exploration projects
and the establishment of a joint Thai-Chinese research laboratory
21 August 2025 – NARIT, led by Dr. Wiphu Rujopakarn, Director of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, together with a team of engineers, attended the 1st Joint Committee Meeting on Space Cooperation between Thailand and China. The meeting was co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) of Thailand, and Mr. Bian Zhigang, Vice Administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), and was held at Amara Hotel, Bangkok.
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This meeting demonstrated both sides' commitment to strengthen space cooperation in advancing research for science, technology, and innovation that will address humanity's challenges, inspire youth, raise awareness of the importance of space science to society, and create a new economy based on the peaceful use of space between both countries. The meeting also promoted joint research that will inspire innovations in space infrastructure, jointly developing satellites, ground stations, and data-sharing platforms for Earth monitoring and disaster management.
At the meeting, NARIT presented the following successful projects implemented in collaboration with China:
- The TSC-Pathfinder scientific research satellite development project, a small research satellite to enhance advanced engineering knowledge for Thai personnel, under the collaboration between the Thai Space Consortium (TSC) and the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics (CIOMP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has completed the Critical Design Review (CRI) and developed an engineering prototype. The ground-based data transmission system will be defined in the next step.
- The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, the Chang'e-7 mission, includes the Moon-Aiming Thai-Chinese Hodoscope (MATCH) research instrument, which has successfully completed flight model testing. The official instrument delivery will be in September 2025. The Chang'e-8 mission will include the Assessing Lunar Ion-Generated Neutrons (ALIGN) neutron detector on the Lunar Surface Rover (Lander) to assess the radiation conditions and search for water ice beneath the lunar surface. The project is currently in the conceptual design, engineering simulation, and optimum shielding system stages.
- The Planetary Exploration of China, especially the Tianwen-3 mission, is underway. NARIT is interested in expanding upon the ILRS project by designing the Mars-Aiming Radiation Collection Hodoscope (MARCH) to measure particles from the Sun, the galaxy, and Jupiter (Jovian Electrons) in orbit of Mars. It will enable the study of solar-space physics and support Mars sample collection missions. This will include building a database of space radiation in orbit and linking the data to the Chang'e-7 mission and future missions.
Furthermore, NARIT has proposed supporting research and utilization of astronomical infrastructure, including VGOS (VLBI Geodetic Observing System) radio telescope, a 13-meter instrument, in collaboration with the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), which joins the global Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) network, along with partners from other countries. This reflects the potential for Thailand-China relations to expand to the international level.
On this occasion, NARIT also proposed the expansion of the "Thailand-China Joint Laboratory for Deep Space Exploration" to utilize scientific data obtained from various missions and serve as a hub for further utilization within the ASEAN region. In detail, NARIT will discuss and study the process for collecting and researching space samples, such as lunar soil, at relevant CNSA laboratories in China to develop appropriate processes and infrastructure to support the establishment of such a joint laboratory.
Following the meeting, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) jointly organized the 2nd Thailand-China Space Science and Technology Seminar. The seminar focused on three key topics: Space Science and Deep Space Exploration, Space Infrastructure, and Space Technology Applications. The seminar aimed to exchange progress and explore opportunities for further cooperation. Over 60 scientists and researchers from relevant agencies and higher education institutions from Thailand and China presented their projects. Five representatives from NARIT also participated:
- Dr. Songphon Munkongsujarit, Manager of the Technology and Innovation Management, hosted the session on Space Science and Deep Space Exploration.
- Dr. Peerapong Torteeka, Research Engineer/ ILRS-TH Project Manager, presented on "Thailand in Space: Engineering Achievements in Chang'e-7 and Future Exploitation".
- Mr. Apichat Leckngam, Senior Manager of Observatory Operations and Engineering, presented on "High Precision Machining for Space Technology".
- Mr. Pearachad Chartsiriwattana, Opto-Mechanical Engineer, presented on "Progress in the Co-development of Hyperspectral Imagers and the Transfer of Space Payload Technology".
- Mr. Thanayuth Panyalert, Research Engineer, presented on "From Earth to Orbit: Thailand’s First Spacecraft Dynamics Infrastructure".
Moreover, on 22 August 2025, NARIT welcomed a team of engineers from CIOMP, who, together with engineers from NARIT’s Optics and Photonics Technology Center, are jointly designing and developing a Hyperspectral Imaging Camera, a key scientific payload to be installed on TSC-1, a 100-kilogram Low-Earth Orbit satellite, under the Thailand Space Consortium. The delegation also visited NARIT’s Optics and Photonics Laboratory as well as the Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing Laboratory at the Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
