Phirada poised to become first Thai to go into outer space
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SOVIET COSMONAUT Yuri Gagarin was the first man to journey into outer space, and now 30-year-old space engineer Phirada Techavichit has the opportunity to become Thailand's first woman to see the planet from high above.

She was selected as one of 23 persons from 62 countries to travel with the Lynx Mark II spacecraft under the AXE Apollo project in December.

It will take the pilot and his sole passenger about an hour to reach 103 kilometres above sea level.

"I will touch non-gravity conditions as the pilot will turn off the machine and give the passenger six minutes to take photographs of the treasured moments," she said.

On the way back, the spacecraft will speed at four times the gravitational force of the earth before landing. The trip will last 60 minutes.

Before being recruited for the space trip, Phirada was invited to undergo space training at the National Space Camp at Orlando, Florida in the US, together with two Thai candidates.

That was a great opportunity |for her to learn to be an astronaut with three committee members that included Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon after Neil Armstrong, a spacecraft technician and a representative from Space Expedition Corporation.

The judging criteria were courage, alertness and teamwork.

"I have been prepared to be strong both in body and mind. We need physical training, a health check-up and a psychiatric test," she said.

It took seven days of heavy training to learn and adjust to the conditions of less oxygen and to control concentration.

On the last day, during their flights, the trainer advised them on the impact of gravity on blood circulation.

"We have to try to circulate blood from head to feet by contracting our body," she said.

It was not luck but her ability that got her the chance to travel to outer space.

Phirada studied space at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

She later won a scholarship from the Theos Operational Training Programme to study satellite for a master’ degree at ISAE in France.

Phirada works at the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, where she is responsible for communications with the Theos satellite, which surveys natural resources for decision-making by the Thai government.

"I might take Thai food or any medical equipment for research with me. I'll go to Mars next time," she said jokingly.


-- The Nation 2014-02-07

Outer space good alternative to Thailand at the moment.

Well done that girl!

I might take Thai food or any medical equipment for research with me.

Can't wait to find out whether somtam pla ra or yadom poysian is the new penicillin.

Edited February 7, 201412 yr by JoeThePoster

Maybe she will find the planet that Thailand's politicians, elite etc come from.

"It took seven days of heavy training to learn and adjust to the conditions of less oxygen and to control concentration and to not pick my nose"

Ok, so I added the last bit but it must have been challenging.

This is a very strangely written article of what seems a very strange interview.

6 mins of selfies, but how will she survive without facebook?

I had hoped that Yingluck and Thaksin would have been the first Thais to be shot into outerspace.

This whole project strikes me as a little weird. The privately run AXE Apollo project is being sponsored by AXE men's care products. 100 people from around the world are competing for the seat. The unproven craft only allows the pilot and one passenger. I guess you just have to hope nothing happens to the pilot during flight. More here.......Axe Appollo Project

This is a very strangely written article of what seems a very strange interview.

And some distorted facts or questionable.

I had hoped that Yingluck and Thaksin would have been the first Thais to be shot into outerspace.

There's a shortage of space chimps, but not that serious yet.

Let's face it the country would be much better off if they launched Khun Thaksin, Suthep etc into space. Now that would be a worthwhile investment IMO.

...actually Chalerm's been there for some time.

I guess it's ok with me, as long as they don't let her drive the ship.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qriH-8yeqcE&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DqriH-8yeqcE

Edited February 7, 201412 yr by fifthcolumn

I guess it's ok with me, as long as they don't let her drive the ship.

Good wording, driver sure she has a valid Thai Driver's license that was bought for her she had no time to attend any driver's training.

I had hoped that Yingluck and Thaksin would have been the first Thais to be shot into outerspace.

I was thinking the same thing..... I think both should be shot into deep space with not enough fuel to return.

What are they going to use as rocket fuel? Rice oil? They certainly have enough these days!!!

Can Yingluck, Chalerm, Chuwit, and Suthep accompany her?

To be honest if this young ladies answers and remarks are anything to go by the selection committee will make sure she stays firmly on the ground.

This article is incorrect.

Suthep is set to become the first Thai to go into space.

Rumor has it that when Yingluck is finally ousted that he'll be over the moon!

Makes a difference. At times Thais can seem to be 'spaced out' only

"she is responsible for communications with the Theos satellite, which surveys natural resources for decision-making by the Thai government."

<deleted>?

I might take Thai food or any medical equipment for research with me.

Can't wait to find out whether somtam pla ra or yadom poysian is the new penicillin.

Two 12-packs of tom yam Mama are a must-take ...

"Phirada studied space at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang."

Really, sounds like a lot of the bar girls I see, just a blank expression!

But they need a cook don't they?

Edited February 7, 201412 yr by davehowden

This whole project strikes me as a little weird. The privately run AXE Apollo project is being sponsored by AXE men's care products. 100 people from around the world are competing for the seat. The unproven craft only allows the pilot and one passenger. I guess you just have to hope nothing happens to the pilot during flight. More here.......Axe Appollo Project

I'm sure there'll be someone on the ground with a tin of black paint in case something goes wrong.

A Pino would be much better at cleaning the toilet!

I had visions of Chalerm volunteering, until I realised the extent of the testing.

At first I thought that this article is just something we need to cheer up the 'newscape', then I began to think it's a hoax, and now I just wish I hadn't read it!

Have met lots of Thai chicks spaced out and from another planet, many needed brining back to earth, several star struck, all of them heavy breathers but seemed to me no shortage of oxygen, everyone a confirmed space cadet.