Air force keen on space survey efforts

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has organised a seminar on space surveillance to mark the beginning of Thailand’s formal efforts to actively be involved in the international network for space observation, said air force chief Johm Rungswang.

Organised by the Learning Centre for Earth, Science and Astronomy (LESA), the seminar, touted as the first of its kind in the country, was designed as a forum for information- and experience-sharing among people whose work deals with space observation.

Space observation has been included in the air force’s 20-year strategic plan and is being treated as a very important matter, said ACM Johm.

As part of the plan, the air force previously supported LESA and other organisations in installing a new astronomical telescope system at the national observatory in Doi Inthanon National Park in Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai province, he said.

The main purpose of installing this telescope system is to protect Thailand’s right to control and utilise its aerospace and prevent satellites from hitting space objects through cooperation with the international network for space observation, he said.

The practice of space surveillance involves international space law as the satellites orbit constantly, which may result in conflicts associated with national sovereignty of outer space, said Group Captain Thakura Kerdkaeo, commander of the Research and Development Centre for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology.

Since there are really no firm boundaries where outer space starts, an altitude of 100km above sea level is conventionally used as the start of outer space in space treaties and for aerospace records keeping, Mr Thakura said.

In the next two decades, outer space is expected to see many more satellites and other objects that will have to be dealt with, he said.

At least four core principles of the international space law concern Thailand, he said.

Since it is crucial to improve the capacity to protect the right to control Thai aerospace in cooperation with the international community, a draft amendment to the concerned laws to facilitate the work are expected to be proposed to the government soon, he said.