Discover Thailand’s Astronauts Scholarship Program: 7 Missions to the American STEAM-Space Community
March 31, 2022 Bangkok – Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Agency (Public Organization) or GISTDA, U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) and Zignature Marketing and Technology Co., Ltd. (ZMT) held a joint Press Conference in the Press Conference Room of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation covering the 7 Missions of the Thai Delegation of the Discover Thailand’s Astronauts Scholarship Program (DTAS) and upcoming STEAM-Space visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and NASA Visitor Center, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Science Coordination Office of the joint NASA and US Agency for International Development (USAID) SERVIR program from April 21 to May 1, 2022.
The Delegation of the DTAS that will be in Huntsville in Alabama – the birthplace of NASA and major contributor to the aerospace industry– is composed of Krit Kunplin, Representative of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Thailand; Prof. Dr. Soemsak Yooyen, Dean of the International Academy of Aviation Industry of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang; 4students of the DTAS: Jiraphat Khumnin, Thirawat Boonsang, Chanisa Prompattanapakdee and Kanpisit Limsupaputtikun; 2 Physics tutors of the On Demand Education: Patarapol Pisanpanumas and Saranapob Thavapatikom; Pornbavee Muanreed, Representative of the Artemis Generation (Thailand); and 2 BNK48 Musical Artists that have strong scientific backgrounds: Cherprang Areekul and Khawisara Singplod.
Prof. Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, M.D., Permanent Secretary of the Minister Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said the roles of space in the 21st Century have dramatically changed from the previous. Both public and private entities from around the world try to expand the utilization of space in the areas of space business. The current movement is clear that the space frontier is the opportunity of humanity. This frontier is expanding at an exponential rate and it is not only about satellite navigation system or GNSS, weather forecast, PM2.5 update or smart agriculture, but it is also about the design and building of the satellite, Space Business Act, exploration, R&D, satellite related equipment or other related activities. All of these activities require skills that are capable to access space businesses and generating new jobs.
This Project is, thus, very important in preparing the Thai people to be readied for the new careers on space and propelling the utilization of science and technology in making a leap to the development of space technology and innovation. Space will, thus, become a not faraway business, but a part of life that will encourage more participation from the new generations.
As for the founder and management of the DTAS, Mr. Krit Kunplin, Representative of the U.S. Space & Rocket in Thailand, said this journey is to find ways and means to increase more collaboration and cooperation from American STEAM-Space organizations from NASA, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the University of Alabama in Huntsville to American high-tech companies; and there are 7 missions involved: 1. STEAM-Space, 2. Exchange of human capital, especially in deep tech, 3. Exhibition on innovation and space business, 4. Space exploration, 5. R&D of the STEAM-Space, 6. Trading of the hi-tech equipment and 7. Green project inspired from SERVIR’s space to village approach. All of these efforts to work with our friends across the globe are put forwards preparing Thai people for the inescapable future – the age of the New Space Economy.
The Discover Thailand’s Astronauts Scholarship (DTAS) Program was founded in 2015 with establishment funding from the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. The capital for Generation 3 has been funded by the Thai public and private cooperation from Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited, MCOT Public Company Limited, On Demand Education Company Limited and GISTDA. The Program is managed by Zignature Marketing and Technology Company Limited (ZMT).
