Thailand Aims to Launch ASEAN’s First Spaceport, Eyes Global Space Race

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand is setting its sights on the stars, with bold plans to become ASEAN's first spaceport. Thanapant Raicharoen, a commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), urges the country to seize the opportunity to become a key player in the rapidly growing space industry.

 

Thanapant envisions Thailand playing a vital role not only in satellite development but also in sending astronauts into space and building data centres in orbit. The NBTC commissioner points to Thailand's strategic southern region as an ideal spot for a rocket launch pad, thanks to its proximity to the equator. This geographical advantage would allow rockets to benefit from the Earth's rotation, enabling heavier payloads, such as satellites, to be launched using less fuel. Clear skies, stable temperatures, and minimal risk from natural disasters make it a prime location.

 

Thanapant suggests collaboration with international players, such as China, to drive joint investments and bring in advanced technology. He compares the space venture to Thailand's past success in attracting Japanese investors to boost its automotive industry, which became a thriving sector.

 

 

 

 

Though the NBTC isn't directly responsible for spaceport development, Thanapant is adamant about their role. "We have the duty and authority to grant permission to use satellite orbits."

 

With growing interest from private firms and increasing demand for smaller, low-Earth orbit satellites, the time might be right for Thailand to launch itself into the global space race.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-05

 

 

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[Tropicalevo]

And the infrastructure and projects silliness continues unabated.

[johng]

As Thailand is close to the equator it could make a good launch site for Satellites.

[Nigeone]

This won’t start or end well…. Unbelievable mind sets some of these people in power have . Maybe they see transporting aliens back to Thailand might help the tourist numbers. 

[kalasiner]

An inspired idea. 

In this field Thailand already has a centre of excellence...Yasothon...which can rocket Thailand to the forefront of space exploration.

[dinsdale]

I think there is something wrong with the headline. Maybe this would have been better.

Thailand Aims to Launch ASEAN’s First Spaceport, Eyes Global Space Race HUB

[Gsxrnz]

Given the abundant supply of indigenous Space Cadets, I see nothing but success for this venture.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thanapant envisions Thailand playing a vital role not only in satellite development but also in sending astronauts into space and building data centres in orbit. The NBTC commissioner points to Thailand's strategic southern region as an ideal spot for a rocket launch pad, thanks to its proximity to the equator. This geographical advantage would allow rockets to benefit from the Earth's rotation, enabling heavier payloads, such as satellites, to be launched using less fuel. Clear skies, stable temperatures, and minimal risk from natural disasters make it a prime location.

With who's help and technology?

[soalbundy]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

With who's help and technology?

China wants a launch pad near the equator.

[HappyExpat57]

It isn't April 1st, it is?

[hotchilli]

3 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

China wants a launch pad near the equator.

Ahhhh 

[Pouatchee]

meanwhile the social benefits like a retirement net, education, healthcare etc... are left on the backburner so that thailand can attempt to claim to be a first tier nation.

 

great priorities

[simon43]

Launching a satellite from a launch site near the equator can save rocket fuel, but it all depends on the desired orbit of the satellite.

 

Take low-earth orbit (LEO) weather satellites for example.  They are launched into a polar orbit, ie flying around the Earth from top to bottom, so that as the Earth spins beneath them, they can take images of every point on Earth.  A launch site close to the poles is preferable in this case.

 

In fact, I would say most LEO birds are not placed in an orbit around the equator, because then they are not able to observe the Earth other than in a narrow band around the Equator.  As a radio ham, I receive signals from various weather and scientific satellites, and polar birds are generally much easier to receive as they pass over my location.

 

Geostationary satellites usually do benefit from an equatorial launch site.  China has such a site on Hainan island, which is on about the same latitude as Chiang Rai. 

[DrPhibes]

As a former aerospace engineer....  Bwahahahahaha!

[Crossy]

Development is going well ...

 

 

[john donson]

maybe is elon puts a tesla assembly line here first...

[Grumpy one]

Thailand can't build sky trains or elevated roads without bits falling off it

This latest plan should cause great concern

It won't be Rain drops keep falling on my head being sung

More like      Space junk keeps dropping on our homes

[brianthainess]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Clear skies, stable temperatures,

Except burning and rainy seasons. 

[brianthainess]

13 hours ago, Nigeone said:

This won’t start or end well…. Unbelievable mind sets some of these people in power have . Maybe they see transporting aliens back to Thailand might help the tourist numbers. 

Will they need a re-entry permit ?............. 👽

[Crossy]

A couple of off-topic attempts to de-rail the thread have gone walkabout.

 

[John Drake]

4 hours ago, soalbundy said:

China wants a launch pad near the equator.

 

So the "accidents" happen in Thailand, not China.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c897xl1r7v9o

[stoutfella]

Where, Yasothon?

[PETERTHEEATER]

7 hours ago, hotchilli said:

With who's help and technology?

Far Cathay.

[black tabby12345]

17 hours ago, Nigeone said:

This won’t start or end well…. Unbelievable mind sets some of these people in power have . Maybe they see transporting aliens back to Thailand might help the tourist numbers. 

 

They might be feeling  current tourist numbers are not enough.

So they got an idea of bringing   some more from outer space?

Then they have to display notices in  another language spoken by Little Green Man.

 

[black tabby12345]

Thailand plants to have ASEAN's first space hub?

China wants to use part of  Thailand as an ICBM  base outside own territory?

As it is in Thailand, US can't target it with their missiles.

Thailand certainly has no enough technologies for space tings.

But if is done by China, a different story.

They already sent out and retrieved unmanned space vehicle that reached moon.

[Celsius]

Just another name for future hub of inactive posts.

[RocketDog]

17 hours ago, johng said:

As Thailand is close to the equator it could make a good launch site for Satellites.

Yep. That's what the article says.

"The NBTC commissioner points to Thailand's strategic southern region as an ideal spot for a rocket launch pad, thanks to its proximity to the equator. This geographical advantage would allow rockets to benefit from the Earth's rotation, enabling heavier payloads, such as satellites, to be launched using less fuel. "

[black tabby12345]

8 hours ago, Crossy said:

Development is going well ...

 

 

 

How fun.

Flying doughnut.

The most unexpected sort of rocket ever seen.

[retarius]

Why not just fix the economy and help the poor people first? When you have fixed the economy and poverty, then, by all means, replace NASA as the hub of space travel.

[retarius]

Just adding the following. I am scared stiff of Thailand becoming the hub of nuclear engineering. I have nightmares about Thailand joining the nuclear powered nations because a total disaster is sure to follow soon after it goes into operation. Someone will have saved money using cheap cement bought of a shady politician. Sad but True.