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THEOS (Thailand Earth Observation System)

Jun 14, 2012

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High resolution optical imagers

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Multi-purpose imagery (land)

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Launched in October 2008, Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS) is an Earth observation mission, funded by the Thai Ministry for Science and Technology, developed by European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Astrium, and operated by GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) Bangkok, Thailand’s leading national space organisation. THEOS aims to provide Thailand with affordable access to space-based Earth imagery, and establish the infrastructure and systems required for a continuing Thai space program.

Quick facts

Overview

Mission typeEO
AgencyGISTDA
Mission statusOperational (extended)
Launch date01 Oct 2008
Measurement domainLand
Measurement categoryMulti-purpose imagery (land), Vegetation, Albedo and reflectance, Landscape topography
Measurement detailedLand surface imagery, Vegetation type, Earth surface albedo, Land surface topography
InstrumentsTOP (MS), TOP (PAN)
Instrument typeHigh resolution optical imagers
CEOS EO HandbookSee THEOS (Thailand Earth Observation System) summary

theos satellite
Theos (Image credit: Astrium)

Summary

Mission Capabilities

THEOS carries two instruments, THEOS Optical Payload - Panchromatic (TOP-PAN) and THEOS Optical Payload - Multispectral (TOP-MS). TOP-PAN is a cassegrain type opto-mechanical instrument that provides high-resolution optical imagery for applications in cartography, land use planning and management, and national security, while TOP-MS is a dioptric sensor that provides high resolution multispectral imagery for applications identical to TOP-PAN.

Performance Specifications

TOP-PAN utilises a pushbroom imaging technique, and has a spectral range of 0.45 - 0.90 µm, with a GSD (Ground Sample Distance) of 2 m, and a swath width of 22 km. TOP-MS also uses a pushbroom imaging technique, operating across four bands, with spectral ranges of 0.45-0.52 µm, 0.53-0.60 µm, 0.62-0.69 µm and 0.77-0.90 µm, GSD of 15 m and a swath width of 90 km at nadir, across all bands.

THEOS operates in a sun-synchronous near-circular orbit at an altitude of 822 km and an inclination of 98.7°. It has an orbital period of 101.4 min, with a local equator crossing time at 1000 hours and a repeat cycle of 26 days.

Space and Hardware Components

THEOS utilises the AstroSat-500 platform, designed and produced by EADS Astrium. The bus is three axis stabilised, with dimensions of 2.1 m x 2.1 m x 2.4 m and a launch mass of 750 kg. The bus carries the Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem (AOCS), consisting of sensors, a magnetometer, sun sensor, star sensor, gyroscope and GPS receiver, and actuators, consisting of magnetorquers, reaction wheels, and thrusters. The spacecraft has an onboard data storage capacity of 51 Gbit, with Tracking, Telemetry, and Command (TT&C) transmitted in S-band, and imagery transmitted in X-band at a data rate of 120 Mbit/s.

THEOS (Thailand Earth Observation System) / Thaichote

Overview    Spacecraft    Launch    Mission Status    Sensor Complement    Ground Segment    References

THEOS is an Earth observation mission of Thailand, under development at EADS Astrium SAS, Toulouse, France. In July 2004, EADS Astrium SAS signed a contract for the delivery of THEOS with GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) of Bangkok, Thailand.

GISTDA is Thailand's leading national organization (i.e., space agency) in the field of space activities and applications. The Thai Ministry of Science and Technology is funding the program.

The THEOS cooperative agreement includes the production and launch of one optical imaging satellite, as well as the development of the ground segment necessary to operate and control the satellite directly from Thailand. The contract also specifies on-the-job training of Thai engineers as part of the EADS Astrium development team. Also as part of the THEOS program, GISTDA earned the right to receive data from the SPOT-2, 4 and 5 spacecraft of CNES in Thailand, which have many features similar to those of THEOS. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13)

The prime objective of THEOS is to provide Thailand with affordable access to space (i.e., a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite for the near future), and to spawn through this program's operational experience the country's own capability and infrastructure an indigenous potential for the development of future space missions.

The science objectives call for the provision of:

1) Panchromatic (2 m) and multispectral (15 m) imagery from THEOS observations, and

2) The generation of geo-referenced image products and image processing capabilities for applications in the fields of cartography, land use, agricultural monitoring, forestry management, coastal zone monitoring and flood risk management.

The Thai government has also expressed its intention to offer THEOS data to the disaster mitigation efforts under the International Charter.

Figure 1: Artist's rendition of the THEOS spacecraft (image credit: EADS Astrium, GISTDA)
Figure 1: Artist's rendition of the THEOS spacecraft (image credit: EADS Astrium, GISTDA)

Spacecraft

The THEOS satellite is based on the new generation of EADS Astrium Optical Earth Observation high-performance satellites using the medium-sized AstroSat-500 platform. In particular, the spacecraft design/structure is of FormoSat-2 (formerly ROCSat-2) heritage, a spacecraft built by EADS for NSPO of Taiwan with a launch on May 20, 2004. 14) 15) 16)

The THEOS satellite consists of two parts, the payload for the imaging (with cameras and associated electronics) and the bus, in charge of all service functions. The bus structure is of size: 2.1 m x 2.1 m x 2.4 m (height). The satellite is three-axis stabilized. The upper deck of the platform carries the payload and also the attitude sensing devices of AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem), namely the star and sun sensors, gyroscopes, and GPS receivers. The lower deck contains the actuation devices: magnetic torquer, the four reaction wheels and the autonomous propulsion module.

The fixed solar array uses GaAs cells and consists of two deployable flaps providing a power of 840 W. The entire S/C architecture is designed in such a way as to provide low roll inertia, a key factor for satellite agility and instrument line-of-sight stability. The S/C is very agile providing a body-pointing capability of ±45o in roll and pitch (45o pitch in 60 s, 10o roll in 25 s, 30o roll in 60 s, respectively). The S/C wet mass is about 750 kg with 82 kg of hydrazine propellant mass. The design life is five years or better.

Figure 2: Illustration of the THEOS spacecraft (image credit: EADS Astrium)
Figure 2: Illustration of the THEOS spacecraft (image credit: EADS Astrium)

Spacecraft total mass; power of solar arrays

750 kg (launch mass); 840 W (EOL)

Spacecraft size

2.1 m x 2.1 m x 2.4 m

Spacecraft stabilization

Three-axis agile, accurate and stable attitude control

Spacecraft body pointing capability

FOR (Field of Regard) of ±45o in roll and pitch for event monitoring

AOCS sensors:
AOCS actuators:

- Magnetometer, sun sensor, star sensor, gyroscope, GPS receiver
- Magnetotorquers, reaction wheels, and thrusters

S/C body-pointing capability

±45o in roll and pitch; a 30o roll increases the revisit capability enormously, allowing an image of any area within a 1000 km swath. 90% of the Earth may be imaged any day with less than 50o roll.

S/C pointing accuracy, knowledge

0.12o; 0.02o

Electric power of spacecraft

840 W

Onboard data storage capacity

51 Gbit

Onboard image data compression

2.8 or 3.7 compression ratio (DCT)

RF communications

- S-band for TT&C operations
- X-band for imagery transmission at 120 Mbit/s

Onboard hydrazine propulsion system

Orbit corrections and maneuvers, 80 kg of hydrazine

Payload

PAN and MS cameras

Optics (PAN)

- Full SiC (Silicon Carbide) telescope
- Resolution of 2 m (GSD)
- FOV (Field of View): 22 km

Optics (MS)

- Refractive telescope
- Resolution of 15 m
- FOV of 90 km (swath)
- 4 spectral bands in the range 0.45 - 0.9 µm

Spacecraft design life

> 5 years (fueled for 7 years)

Table 1: Overview of some THEOS parameters

 

 

Figure 3: Designation of some elements of the THEOS spacecraft (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)
Figure 3: Designation of some elements of the THEOS spacecraft (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)

 

Launch

The THEOS spacecraft was launched on a Dnepr vehicle from the Yasny/Dombarovsky launch centre (a town in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, 51.0o N, 58.0o E) on October 1, 2008. The launch provider was ISC Kosmotras of Moscow, a Russian-Ukrainian joint venture company.

Orbit:

Sun-synchronous near-circular orbit, altitude = 822 km, inclination = 98.7o, period = 101.4 min, local equator crossing time at 10:00 hours on a descending node, repeat cycle = 26 days (14 5/26 orbits per day). Accessibility: 2 days with 50o tilting angle, and 5 days with 30o tilting angle.

The THEOS spacecraft mission orbit has the same receptivity (14 + 5/26) as the SPOT spacecraft, i.e. the same altitude of 822 km, but a different mean local solar time. THEOS and SPOT satellites follow the same grid on Earth.

Figure 4: Argument of latitude phasing (image credit: GISTA, EADS Astrium)
Figure 4: Argument of latitude phasing (image credit: GISTA, EADS Astrium)

The 26 positions shown in Figure 4 correspond to the possible positions in the argument of latitude to match the SPOT ground track reference grid. In order to avoid simultaneous visibility of the SPOT-5 and the THEOS spacecraft from the Thai ground station, the THEOS argument of latitude shall be selected in the interval shown in Figure 4. This choice takes into account the end-of-life drift in the local solar time of SPOT-5 and ensures a minimum separation from SPOT-2.

The local solar time (LST) at descending node is 10:00 hours for the THEOS mission and 10:30 hours for SPOT.

 


 

Mission Status

• According to the CEOS Database, the THEOS/Thaichote spacecraft and its payload are operating nominally in 2015. 17)

• March 27, 2014: The THEOS/Thaichote satellite of GISTDA spotted more than 300 floating objects in a part of the Indian Ocean where investigators think the missing Malaysian Airlines jetliner (MH370) may have crashed. 18)

- The potential plane debris was seen by the Thailand Earth Observation Satellite, or Thaichote, and the images have since been relayed to Malaysian authorities, said Anond Snidvongs, executive director of GISTDA (Geo Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) in Bangkok.

• The THEOS spacecraft and its payload are operating nominally in 2014.

• The THEOS spacecraft and its payload are operating nominally in 2012.

• In Dec. 2011, Orbit Logic Inc. of Greenbelt, MD, USA signed a contract with GISTDA of Thailand for the delivery of a collection feasibility solution for the THEOS imaging satellite. Under the terms of the contract Orbit Logic will host the off-the-shelf, web-based CFT (Collection Feasibility Tool) configured for the THEOS satellite on an Orbit Logic server for exclusive use by GISTDA. An enhanced version of CFT will be delivered to GISTDA in early 2012 for hosting on a GISTDA server for operational use by GISTDA and THEOS imagery customers. 19)

• The THEOS spacecraft and its payload are operating nominally in 2011. 20) 21)

• On December 15, 2010, an emergency orbital manoeuvre was conducted to avoid a close approach of space debris. 22)

• In the period September to December 2010, THEOS provided monitoring/coverage for the 2010 Thailand Floods. 23)

• The THEOS spacecraft and its payload are operating nominally in 2010. 24) 25)

The THEOS satellite project represents a significant milestone in Thailand's space activities; it brought about major progress in terms of facility, infrastructure and human resources developments for the country. Developments for future THEOS global online data service provision are underway.

Figure 5: Timeline of THEOS operations (image credit: GISTA, EADS Astrium)
Figure 5: Timeline of THEOS operations (image credit: GISTA, EADS Astrium)

• On June 1, 2009, the official announcement of THEOS data service opening to domestic users. This occurred after successful in-orbit tests, further calibration-validation for about 3 months and prepare for operational data service.

• By the end of 2008, all space segment and ground segment functions were verified. In January 2009, there was a successful in-orbit review and the system was declared "operational". 26)

• The IOT (In Orbit Test) phase started on Oct. 17, 2008, consisting of two cycles of 26 days each. All specified system performances of the spacecraft and its payload were tested, validated and calibrated during this period. In parallel, imagery of certain regions was acquired for image calibration and validation.

• In the period Oct. 4-14, 2008, a series of orbit transfer manoeuvres were conducted to raise the orbit from 680 km to the final nominal orbit of 822 km.

• On Oct. 3, 2008, THEOS took the first set of images over Bangkok, Phuket Island and some regions outside Thailand. 27)

• LEOP (Launch and Early Operations Phase):

After the satellite was separated from the launcher and placed into the initial orbit at an altitude of 680 km, the communications system was activated and the spacecraft came into first contact with the Kiruna ground station of SSC (Swedish Space Corporation) in Sweden. A series of checks were conducted followed by the switch-on of several subsystems. Then the spacecraft was commanded into normal mode; the first mission plan was uploaded on the next day, Oct. 2, 2008.

Figure 6: First MS image of THEOS of Phuket Island (Thailand) taken on Oct. 3, 2008 (image credit: GISTDA)
Figure 6: First MS image of THEOS of Phuket Island (Thailand) taken on Oct. 3, 2008 (image credit: GISTDA)

 


 

Sensor Complement

The optical instruments are composed of a panchromatic and a multispectral camera. Both instruments employ an electronic unit in support of the following functions:

  • gathering video data,
  • numerical conversion,
  • compression,
  • formatting, etc.

Both cameras are of the pushbroom imaging type using linear CCD arrays in the focal plane. The primary mirror and the focal plane are made of silicon carbide (SiC) to ensure lightweight and good thermo-elastic stability (alignment). 28) 29)

Figure 7: Assembly of the THEOS sensor complement at EADS (image credit: EADS Astrium)
Figure 7: Assembly of the THEOS sensor complement at EADS (image credit: EADS Astrium)

 

PAN Camera (Panchromatic Camera)

This instrument is providing a spectral range of 0.45 to 0.90 µm. The spatial resolution is 2 m on a swath width of 22 km.

Figure 8: Illustration of the Pan Camera (image credit: EADS-Astrium)
Figure 8: Illustration of the Pan Camera (image credit: EADS-Astrium)

 

MS Camera (Multispectral Camera)

The camera is a dioptric sensor type with 4 filters - providing 4 bands in the spectral range of 0.45 to 0.90 µm. The spatial resolution is 15 m on a swath width of 90 km.

Parameter

Panchromatic (Pan) Camera

Multispectral (MS) Camera

Spectral range

0.45 to 0.90 µm

B0 (blue): 0.45-0.52 µm
B1 (green): 0.53-060 µm
B2 (red): 0.62-0.69 µm
B3 (NIR): 0.77-0.90 µm

Spatial resolution

2 m GSD

15 m GSD

Swath width

22 km (nadir)

90 km (nadir)

Image dynamics

8 bits among 12 bits

8 bits among 12 bits

Absolute localization accuracy

< 300 m (1 ?)

< 300 m (1 ?)

SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)

> 90

> 100

Instrument mass (Pan+MS)

< 120 kg (including video electronics)

Table 2: Characteristics of the optical instruments

 

THEOS features 2 telescopes in parallel: 1 catadioptric telescope of 600 mm aperture diameter (Korsch telescope design) for Pan alone, and one refractive telescope (aperture diameter of ~100 mm) for MS alone. The two telescopes on the spacecraft, providing different swaths, can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. Note: In the RSI imager design on FormoSat-2 (of EADS Astrium SAS), a single catadioptric telescope with 600 mm aperture is being used for both, Pan and MS observations (providing the same swath of 24 km).

Figure 9: Nominal observation configuration of THEOS (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)
Figure 9: Nominal observation configuration of THEOS (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)

The high agility of the spacecraft provides a wide FOR (Field of Regard) to image various targets as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. A FOR (or accessible corridor) of 1000 km can be provided within a roll manoeuvre of ±30o. Oblique viewing can be used to increase the viewing frequency for a given point during a given cycle.

Stereo imaging:

Stereo pair can be used for relief perception and elevation plotting (Digital Elevation Modelling). These stereo images can be acquired by THEOS with 2 different methods:

1) The programming of two images of the same area on the ground acquired at different roll viewing angles on successive satellite passes

2) The pitch agility allows acquiring a stereo pair in the same pass at less than a 5-minute delay.

Figure 10: Stereo observation scenario (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)
Figure 10: Stereo observation scenario (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)

Repeat viewing capability: The THEOS oblique viewing capability allows for the imaging of any area within a 1000 km swath (for a 30° roll). Oblique viewing can be used to increase the viewing frequency for a given point during a given cycle. The frequency varies with latitude: over Thailand, a given area can be imaged 9 times during the same 26-days orbital cycle. This means a yearly revisit of 126 times and an average of 3 days, with an interval ranging from a minimum of 1 day to a maximum of 5 days.

Figure 11: Event monitoring scenario of various targets (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)
Figure 11: Event monitoring scenario of various targets (image credit: GISTDA, EADS Astrium)

 


 

Ground Segment

GISTDA is the operating agency of the THEOS spacecraft. The ground segment consists of a control centre at Sriracha (Chonburi Province, Thailand - also the spelling of Siracha), along with an S/X-band station to control and monitor the satellite from Thailand and to receive the payload imagery within its range of coverage. The Sriracha complex is located about 100 km from Bangkok featuring two 4.5 m antennas for S-band and a 13 m antenna for X-band data acquisition (Ref. 10). 30) 31) 32)

In addition, there is a payload processing centre to acquire, process, archive, and exploit the imagery. The THEOS image acquisition is performed on user requests. The THEOS Image Ground Segment is installed at the Thailand Ground Station Compound in Lad Krabang, Bangkok.

The THEOS ground segment consists of two parts:

• CGS (Control Ground Segment)

• IGS (Image Ground Segment)

Figure 12: Architecture of the THEOS ground segment (image credit: GISTDA)
Figure 12: Architecture of the THEOS ground segment (image credit: GISTDA)

The CGS (Control Ground Segment) consists of 4 main subsystems which are:

• MCP (Mission Planning Center)

• FDS (Flight Dynamics System)

• SCC (Satellite Control Center)

• S-band station as shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13: Architecture of the THEOS CGS, (image credit: GISTDA)
Figure 13: Architecture of the THEOS CGS, (image credit: GISTDA)
Figure 14: Thailand ground station coverage circle of 2000 km radius (image credit: GISTDA)
Figure 14: Thailand ground station coverage circle of 2000 km radius (image credit: GISTDA)

 


 

GISTDA-NSPO Framework of Cooperation

The failure of the S-band antenna due to lightning strikes brought about the initiative for the Interoperability project. For several weeks continually, GISTDA's engineers had to interface with SSC's (Swedish Space Corporation) S-band system in Kiruna in order to communicate with the THEOS spacecraft. This incident instigated a discussion to optimize the system to reduce the probability of failure of the system. The conclusion that was arrived at was that other agencies must also be facing similar problems and that brought about the quest to find global partners for inter-agency cooperation that would cut costs and increase resources. 33)

On account of this incident, GISTDA got into ground segment cooperation discussions with NSPO (National Space Organization) of Taiwan. NSPO is currently operating the FormoSat-2 mission and is in the process of developing FormoSat-5.

After the initial discussion in Taiwan in June 2010, GISTDA and NSPO started to work hand-in-hand to improve the inter-operability of their ground stations in order to create a common pool of resources under the banner of the mutual coordination project called ICE (Inter-Operability, Cooperation and Engineering). It turns out there are quite a few commonalities and characteristics between both projects. By sharing the resources, both parties aim to learn from each other and increase the knowledge pool of their employees.

In the fall of 2010, an agreement for long-standing cooperative relations between GISTDA and NSPO, was signed.
It covers cross-support in the following areas:

• Satellite system health review

• Ground station support including Bi-directional TT&C services

• Satellite performance enhancement

• Satellite system life extension

• Mission operations and Ground Data Systems services.

The agreement means GISTDA and NSPO can provide each other with network support and space operations services more quickly; this is considered very significant. The sharing of resources is a sensible and efficient way to achieve enhanced space science value in an era of tight budgets; particularly, the bi-directional sharing of TT&C services will enhance effectiveness and reduce the risk for both agencies. This cooperation will benefit both parties by providing backup in case a mission's ground station is not available due to maintenance, weather or disasters, by ensuring additional station support during critical mission phases and by expanding station resources.

The real-time network communications are provided through a secure communication channel via VPN (Virtual Private Network) that links the SCC (Satellite Control Center) of GISTDA to the RTS (Remote Terminal System) of NSPO and the SOCC (Satellite Operation and Control Center) of NSPO to the SBS (S-band Subsystem) of GISTDA (Figure 15). 34)

Figure 15: Interlinking between components of NSPO and GISTDA (image credit: GISTDA)
Figure 15: Interlinking between components of NSPO and GISTDA (image credit: GISTDA)

The satellite control systems and antenna systems support end-to-end data security when using communications services. Security implementation includes IP address authentication, the confidentiality of socket port numbers, IPSec encryption, tunnel encryption and physical access control to the mission systems. Communication via the VPN may take place in real-time or non-real-time. 35)

On February 9, 2011, the GISTDA operations team completed the first successful operation of the FormoSat-2 satellite through the GISTDA antenna subsystem. Just one day later, on February 10, 2011, the first successful test of operation of the THEOS spacecraft was conducted by the NSPO operations team.

From the first successful test onwards, the aim of the project moved from just the success of each pass to reducing possible human errors and removing system limitations. Automation processes were implemented and efforts were implemented to make the operation through the secondary antenna station just like nominal operations support.

Future plans:

The ICE project holds considerable potential for expansion. With the success of the ICE project, GISTDA aims to extend this project to more partners and finally, start a consortium. This cooperation sets in motion a possibility for new small Earth observation and small scientific satellite operators to participate and gain from a group similar to the Landsat International Ground Station network.

 


References

1) M. Kaewmanee, T. Choomnoommanee, R. Fraisse, "Thailand Earth Observation System: Mission and Products," Proceedings of ISPRS Commission I Symposium, Paris, France, July 4-6, 2006, URL: http://isprs.free.fr/documents/Papers/T04-16.pdf

2) M. Bouffard, "Smallsats : a priority for Astrium," Proceedings of the 4S Symposium: `Small Satellite Systems and Services,' Chia Laguna Sardinia, Italy, Sept. 25-29, 2006, ESA SP-618

3) C. Peanvijarnpong, D. Dowreang, N. Aphicholati, W. Kodchabudthada , M. Piboon, "Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS): A New Dimension of Thailand Remote Sensing," Proceedings of 26th ACRS (Asian Conference on Remote Sensing), Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 8-11, 2005

4) M. Piboon, S. Polngam, D. Dowreang, C. Peanvijarnpong, N. Aphicholati, W. Kodchabudthada, "Potential Applications of THEOS Satellite," Proceedings of 26th ACRS (Asian Conference on Remote Sensing), Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 8-11, 2005, URL: http://www.a-a-r-s.org/acrs/proceeding/ACRS2005/Papers/HRP2-2.pdf

5) P. Kongseri, et al., "Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS) Development Program," Proceedings of the 2nd Asian Space Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 8-11, 2005

6) D. Darasri, P. Houdry, "THEOS, An Asset for Cartographers and Planning Managers," MAP, ASIA, Bangkok, 2006

7) G. Limouzin, P. Houdry, D. Darasri, C. Peanvijarpong, "THEOS - A Space System for Thailand and the Resulting Applications," Proceedings of the Asian Space Conference 2007, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, March 21-23, 2007

8) ThongchaiCharuppat, "THEOS - The First Earth Observation Satellite of Thailand," URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/data/p_saprsaf_data/repo_ap11cd/ss_info/5_SS_THEOS.pdf

9) C. Peanvijarnpong, "Environment and Disaster Monitoring using Space Technology and Geo-Informatics for Sustainable Development in Thailand," MODIS 3rd Workshop on Monitoring and Modeling of Environment and Disaster in Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 15, 2007

10) THEOS User Handbook," URL: http://www.gistda.or.th/gistda_n/newsphotos/20081001_theos_launch/THEOS%20handbook_final%20EADS.pdf

11) W. Kiadtikornthaweeyot, "Thailand Earth Observation System: Mission and Control," Proceedings of the IAA Symposium on Small Satellite Systems and Services (4S), Rhodes, Greece, May 26-30, 2008, ESA SP-660, August 2008

12) Chanchai Peanvijarnpong, "GISTDA & THEOS:Thailand Earth Observation System," The Working Group on Calibration and Validation, Oct. 31, 2006, Chiang Mai, Thailand

13) Phuriwaj Ruengnaowaroj, "GEOSS Related Activities in Thailand," URL: http://www.prime-pco.com/geoss/pdf/day1/Country_and_Region_Reports/09_Thai.pdf

14) C. Peanvijarnpong,, "THEOS: Thailand Earth Observation System," 'Sharing of Space Technology for Satellite Development' in conjunction with the 4th Sentinel-Asia Joint Project Team Meeting, Sept. 7, 2007, Manila, Republic of the Philippines, URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/data/jptm4_pdf/Special_Session_Satellite_Development_in_Thailand.pdf

15) Suwan Vongvivatanakij, "THEOS / Land Surface Imaging," CEOS WGISS-25, Feb. 25-29, 2008, Sanya, Hainan Island, China, URL: http://wgiss.ceos.org/meetings/wgiss25/LSI_Session/2.26.16.05_CEOS_WGISS25-v0.1-080226.ppt

16) "THEOS Characteristics," GISTDA, URL: http://www.gistda.or.th/gistda_n/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&catid=35&Itemid=34

17) http://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=475

18) Denise Chow, "Flight 370: Satellite Spots 300 Objects Possibly Tied to Malaysian Plane," Live Science, March 27, 2014, URL: http://www.livescience.com/44423-flight-370-debris-thai-satellite.html

19) Orbit Logic Incorporated to Deliver Colletion Feasibility Solution to Thailand," Dec. 16, 2011, URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20160418105734/http://orbitlogic.com/news/pr1211_THEOS_PR.php

20) Anond Snidvongs, "Space Activities in Thailand: 2010," APRSAF-17 (17th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum), Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 23-26, 2010, URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/data/aprsaf17_data/D3-1315_A_Snidvongs.pdf

21) "THEOS data distribution," 18th APRSAF, Singapore, Dec. 6-9, 2011, URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/interviews_features/features_2009/feature_104.php

22) P.Navakitkanok, A.H. Gicquel, A. Pimnoo, S. Jaturut, "THEOS orbit maintenance: assessment of 2 years of operations," Proceedings of the 22nd International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics (ISSFD), Feb. 28 - March 4, 2011, Sao Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil, URL: http://www.issfd22.inpe.br/S4-Flight.Dynamics.Operations.1-FDOP1/S4_P4_ISSFD22_PF_020.pdf

23) Chaowalit Silapathong, "Application of EO Satellite Data for Flood Management in Thailand:2010 Flood," URL: http://www.unescap.org/idd/events/2011-Pakistan-Flood-Islamabad/11-Chaowalit-Silapathong-EO-Satellite-Data.pdf

24) "THEOS Status and Update," The 23rd CEOS Plenary I Phuket, Thailand, November 3-5, 2009, URL:  https://web.archive.org/web/20160404102358/http://www.symbioscomms.com/ceos2009/files/CEOS23_Item31e_THEOS_Status_Update_GISTDA.pdf

25) Pornthep Navakitkanok, Damrongrit Niammuad, "THEOS after the first year of operations," 4th International Conference 'Earth from Space –the Most Effective Solutions,' December 1-3, 2009, Moscow, Russia, URL: http://conference.transparentworld.ru/docs/materials/011209/ConfHall/space_cont/theos.pdf

26) Suwakan Piankoranee, Boochai Mingmongkonmit, "THEOS in Readiness for Mission," Proceedings of ACRS (Asian Conference on Remote Sensing), Oct. 18-23, 2009, Beijing, China, URL: http://www.a-a-r-s.org/acrs/proceeding/ACRS2009/Papers/Oral%20Presentation/TS04-03.pdf

27) Thongchai Charuppat, "Thailand' s EOS Activities: Toward Sustainable Development," APRSAF-15 (15th Session of Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum) Hanoi, Vietnam, Dec. 9-12, 2008, URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/data/aprsaf15_data/Plenary/day3am/CR_Thailand.pdf

28) Raweewan Nutpramoon, Morakot Kaewmanee, Sitthisak Moukomla, "THEOS Calibration and Validation Plan," CEOS WGCV 27 Meeting, June 12-15, 2007

29) Hu Gaoxiang, Morakot Kaewmanee, Frank Bignone, "Test and assessment of THEOS satellite capability for mapping," 2009, URL: http://mapasia.org/2009/proceeding/surveying_Mapping/ma09_HuGaoxiang.pdf

30) Damrongrit Niammuad, Pornthep Navakitkanok, "THEOS and a first step to international users," ESAW (European Ground System Architecture Workshop 2009), Darmstadt, Germany, May 5-6, 2009, URL: http://www.egos.esa.int/export/egos-web/others/Events/Workshop/ESAW-workshop-2009/Day2-Session-8B-0900-1625/S08_11_GISTDA_Niammuad.pdf

31) D. Niammuad, R. Nutpramoon , R. Fraisse, "THEOS Data Processing and its Image Quality,"Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Oct. 9-13, 2006, URL: http://www.a-a-r-s.org/acrs/proceeding/ACRS2006/Papers/O-1_O2.pdf

32) Morakot Kaewmanee, "THEOS: Operational Concept and Its Status APRSAF-16," Bangkok, Thailand, January 26-29, 2010, URL: http://www.aprsaf.org/data/aprsaf16_data/THEOS-IGS_20102901.pdf

33) Ravit Sachasiri, "Cooperation for inter-operation of Ground Stations between Earth Observation Satellite Operators," Proceedings of IAC 2011 (62nd International Astronautical Congress), Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 3-7, 2011, paper: IAC-11-B1.1.4

34) Pirada Techavijit, Ravit Sachasiri, "Collaboration in Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development between GISTDA and NSPO," Proceedings of the 63rd IAC (International Astronautical Congress), Naples, Italy, Oct. 1-5, 2012, paper: IAC-12-B1.1.11

35) Pirada Techavi, Ravit Sachasiri, "Towards International Cooperation and Capacity Building between Space Agencies: A Case of GISTDA and NSPO," 33rd Asia-Pacific Advanced Network Meeting, February 13-17, 2012, Chiang Mai, Thailand, URL: http://www.apan.net/meetings/ChiangMai2012/Session/eCulture/Pirada_Gistda.pptx
 


The information compiled and edited in this article was provided by Herbert J. Kramer from his documentation of: "Observation of the Earth and Its Environment: Survey of Missions and Sensors" (Springer Verlag) as well as many other sources after the publication of the 4th edition in 2002. - Comments and corrections to this article are always welcome for further updates (eoportal@symbios.space).

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