Space Capability Development in Southeast Asian Countries : Prospect and Development Recommendation for Thailand

Abstract

This article was intended for 3 primary purposes: (1) to study and analyze space capability development in Southeast Asian Countries; (2) to analyze prospects for future Thai space industry; and (3) to identify possible courses of action for the development of Thailand’s space capabilities. According to the documentary research, there were 6 Southeast Asian countries namely Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Philippines with some degree of space capability. Additionally, there were 3 prominent trends in key efforts of the space capability development in the stated countries which are: (1) an effort to procure Geo Stationary Communication Satellites at the beginning stage; (2) a focus on establishing the domestic low earth orbit satellite development capability; and (3) an effort to establish a space agency to effectively manage space capabilities and drive forward space programs. However, as a launching state, the Southeast Asian countries were still deficient in acquiring such ability.  

            Thailand possessed a capability as a leading space nation in the region from its experience and cooperation networks. Considering Thailand’s current capability together with prospects from its ongoing attempt to foster space laws and space ecosystem, the regional focus on low earth orbit satellites, as well as the regional lack of own space launching capability, 4 key approaches were recommended for Thailand to utilize in the development of its space capability: (1) to conduct a comprehensive research on Thailand’s space ecosystem, benchmarking its capability with potential role model nations; (2) to focus on the development of low earth orbit launching capability which was lacking in the region; (3) to integrate national space capabilities with cooperation among public, private and academic sectors from the beginning of the policy development process; and (4) to cooperate with both space faring and space developing nations.