NARIT to Send Thai Research Instruments to the Moon in 2026

Thailand’s National Astronomical Research Institute (NARIT) has announced that Thai-developed space research equipment will be sent to orbit the Moon in August 2026, marking the country’s first direct participation in a lunar mission. The instruments will travel aboard China’s Chang’e 7 spacecraft to study space weather and high-energy particles, with implications for long-term space safety and technology resilience.

The announcement was made at the NARIT Open Talk 2026 event held on 7 February 2026 at The Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok, where NARIT showcased its latest research and technological developments. The mission represents a major milestone for Thai science and engineering, as the equipment was designed and built by Thai researchers and engineers.

NARIT is a government research organisation focused on advanced research that can be translated into economic, environmental, and social benefits. In previous years, the institute has highlighted work on air pollution, disaster monitoring, and public science education, positioning astronomy as a cross-disciplinary tool rather than a purely academic field.

Building on its 2025 work on PM2.5 pollution analysis, NARIT announced in 2026 that it is expanding the deployment of Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitors (ACSM) nationwide. These instruments will be installed across all regions of Thailand to better understand regional pollution sources and support more targeted mitigation measures.

The institute has also introduced drones equipped with spectrograph instruments to measure NOx gases, beginning in Bangkok and surrounding areas. According to NARIT Director Dr Wiphup Rujopakarn, the collected data will be shared with relevant agencies to improve air quality monitoring and policy responses, as most existing stations measure only PM2.5.

Beyond environmental research, NARIT is expanding its IoT-based earthquake early warning system via satellite, with plans to increase monitoring stations from 10 to at least 500 nationwide. The institute is also promoting “astronomy for all”, including accessible learning tools for people with visual, hearing, mobility, and developmental impairments.

A key highlight of the 2026 programme is the CE-7 MATCH instrument (Chang’e 7 Moon Aiming Thai-Chinese Hodoscope), which will orbit the Moon between 10 and 20 August 2026 if schedules remain unchanged. The instrument will study space weather, energetic particle distribution, and the effects of solar storms on critical technologies on Earth.

The Standard reported that NARIT confirmed that further Thai instruments are planned for China’s Chang’e 8 mission, which aims to land near the Moon’s south pole to study radiation, soil composition, and areas linked to ice and hydrogen deposits.

Picture courtesy of The Standard

Key Takeaways

• Thai-built space instruments will orbit the Moon aboard China’s Chang’e 7 mission in August 2026.

• NARIT is expanding national research on air pollution, earthquakes, and accessible science education.

• Further Thai instruments are planned for the Chang’e 8 lunar landing mission.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from TheStandard 2026-02-09

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