The Royal Thai Air Force’s first satellite, for security applications, was successfully launched into space at 8.51am Thursday local time from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
Named Napa-1, the nanosatellite, which has a low Earth orbit, is for military purposes, but it can also be used in detecting hot spots, to supporting forest fire fighting efforts, and will provide data for flood and drought management and relief operations.
The Napa-1 satellite is one of the 53 micro and nanosatellites, from 13 countries, which were launched into space simultaneously on an Arianespace Vega rocket.
The launch of Napa-1 will complement the Royal Thai Air Force’s air, cyber and space domains.
