The Cabinet has approved a Thai-Japanese collaboration to explore space with a focus on studying “Low Earth Orbit satellites,” paving the way for future space industry cooperation.
On 23 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Second Lieutenant Phattharadasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that the Cabinet approved a draft memorandum of understanding on space activities between Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The Cabinet also authorized the Permanent Secretary of MHESI to sign the agreement on behalf of Thailand.
The Deputy Spokesperson said this memorandum marks an important step in elevating space cooperation between the two countries to promote space technology development, industrial collaboration, human resource development, and economic value creation from future space activities.
The core of the cooperation involves joint studies between Thailand and Japan on “Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Constellations,” a key technology that can support people's livelihoods, industrial development, and security enhancement. The study will assess the potential to apply Japanese technology for Thailand's benefit and evaluate opportunities for concrete collaborative projects in the future.
Additionally, both sides will use these joint study results to explore ways to develop their space industries, support Thailand's emerging space projects leveraging LEO satellite constellations, and possibly expand cooperation into other mutually agreed areas.
Under this memorandum, joint studies will be coordinated through Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This includes exchanging necessary data, coordinating relevant industrial information, and compiling joint study summaries to advance future cooperation.
The memorandum is effective for three years from the signing date and may be extended in three-year increments. It serves as a framework expressing mutual intent without creating legal or financial obligations, and no transfer of financial or state material resources will occur between the parties.
“This cooperation represents another significant step in Thai-Japanese collaboration to explore space technology and activities, which will help lay the foundation for space development that can increase economic value and enhance industrial capabilities of both countries in the future,” said the Deputy Spokesperson. Second Lieutenant Phattharadasmi concluded.