Thailand: Thailand is set to launch its first homegrown scientific instrument to the moon aboard China's Chang'e-7 spacecraft on August 24, marking a key milestone in the country's space technology development. The 4.8-kilogram device, named "CE-7 MATCH," was designed and built over two years by an 18-member team from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). The instrument will be installed on the four-meter-diameter Chang'e-7 probe to monitor cosmic rays and analyze energetic particles in space, as well as study Sun-Earth-Moon interactions.
According to Thai News Agency, speaking on the upcoming mission, Professor Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said the milestone reflects Thailand's investment in research to transition from a technology user to a creator. He added that the government aims to position the space industry as a new growth engine, with long-term aspirations to build space infrastructure, including research launch facilities through private sector collaboration.
Thailand also plans to continue its partnership with China on the subsequent Chang'e-8 lunar landing mission to expand international technical collaboration. Dr. Yodchanan is scheduled to attend the launch event at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan Province, China, on August 24.