Thailand’s THEOS-2A Satellite Set for Launch in Pivotal Space Mission Today
High-resolution Earth observation satellite THEOS-2A to lift off from India at 11:47 a.m., marking a major step for Thailand’s space programme
Thailand is poised to mark a significant milestone in its national space programme with the scheduled launch of the THEOS-2A satellite on Monday, 12 January 2026, underscoring the country’s growing capabilities in space technology and applications.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has confirmed that THEOS-2A, the nation’s third Earth observation satellite, will be lifted into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, with liftoff scheduled for 11:47 a.m. local time.
Developed in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited and built around advanced small-satellite technology, THEOS-2A is designed to capture high-resolution imagery and multi-purpose data that will support a wide range of civilian and developmental uses, including disaster monitoring, agriculture planning, natural resource management, urban and environmental planning, and national development strategies.
Thai engineers played a key role in developing the satellite’s payload and integrating it with the spacecraft, reflecting a sustained transfer of expertise and deepening domestic technical capacity.
GISTDA has invited the Thai public and international observers to watch the launch live, with commentary and technical insights provided by satellite engineers and mission specialists via the agency’s official social media channels.
The satellite—part of Thailand’s broader Earth observation system that includes THEOS-1 and THEOS-2—will complement existing space assets and strengthen the country’s ability to gather timely geospatial data for policy support and decision-making.
The mission will use a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket, one of India’s workhorse launch systems, to place THEOS-2A into a sun-synchronous orbit, where it will operate for an anticipated three years.
The satellite’s imagery and data products are expected to benefit both the public and private sectors by improving responsiveness to natural disasters, enhancing infrastructure planning and supporting sustainable development.
The launch underscores Thailand’s commitment to advancing its space science capabilities and leveraging satellite technology to address societal needs, while reinforcing international cooperation in space exploration and technology transfer.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has confirmed that THEOS-2A, the nation’s third Earth observation satellite, will be lifted into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, with liftoff scheduled for 11:47 a.m. local time.
Developed in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited and built around advanced small-satellite technology, THEOS-2A is designed to capture high-resolution imagery and multi-purpose data that will support a wide range of civilian and developmental uses, including disaster monitoring, agriculture planning, natural resource management, urban and environmental planning, and national development strategies.
Thai engineers played a key role in developing the satellite’s payload and integrating it with the spacecraft, reflecting a sustained transfer of expertise and deepening domestic technical capacity.
GISTDA has invited the Thai public and international observers to watch the launch live, with commentary and technical insights provided by satellite engineers and mission specialists via the agency’s official social media channels.
The satellite—part of Thailand’s broader Earth observation system that includes THEOS-1 and THEOS-2—will complement existing space assets and strengthen the country’s ability to gather timely geospatial data for policy support and decision-making.
The mission will use a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket, one of India’s workhorse launch systems, to place THEOS-2A into a sun-synchronous orbit, where it will operate for an anticipated three years.
The satellite’s imagery and data products are expected to benefit both the public and private sectors by improving responsiveness to natural disasters, enhancing infrastructure planning and supporting sustainable development.
The launch underscores Thailand’s commitment to advancing its space science capabilities and leveraging satellite technology to address societal needs, while reinforcing international cooperation in space exploration and technology transfer.
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