Thailand’s Ecstar Appoints New Chair to Oversee Space Research Development
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BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Excellence Center for Space Technology and Research (Ecstar) has appointed Col Settapong Malisuwan as its new chairman, succeeding Assoc Prof Khomsan Malisee.
Col Settapong, who currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Communications, Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Society, will oversee the development of Thailand’s research properties in space.
Ecstar operates under the International Academy of Aviation Industry at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.
According to Col Settapong, his focus will be to establish Thailand as a leader in space research within Southeast Asia, as part of the country’s 20-year development strategy. The center will support start-up businesses that conduct studies on climate change, commissioned by the Spacecraft Commission for Economic and Social Security Subcommittee.
As the new chairman, Col Settapong will oversee the opening of the Space Technology Laboratory in Chiang Rai’s Wiang Pa Pao district, as well as a small in-house satellite development project. The center’s goal is to develop Thailand’s first low-Earth orbit satellites and foster international cooperation with other space agencies.
In addition to academic benefits, Col Settapong believes that space cooperation can have a broader positive impact on Thailand. He cited the use of space imaging, which recently helped manage the haze crisis in the country, as just one example.
Information and Source
Reporter : Paul Rujopakarn
Rewriter : Tarin Angskul
National News Bureau : http://thainews.prd.go.th
