Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency [GISTDA]

Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency [GISTDA] is Thailand's leading national organization (i.e., space agency) in the field of space activities and applications. Roles are

• To develop space technology and geo-informatics applications to be beneficial to the general public
• To develop the satellite data base and the derived natural resources information center
• To provide data services relating to space technology and geo-informatics
• To provide technical services and develop human resources in satellite remote sensing and geo-informatics
• To conduct researches and development as well as to implement other activities related to space technology, including the development of small satellites for natural resources survey
• To be the core organization to establish common standards for remote sensing and geo-informatics systems

Thailand has been involved in satellite remote sensing since the launch of NASA ERTS-1 Programme in 1971 through Thailand Remote Sensing Programme (TRSP) under the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). In 1979, TRSP was elevated to become one of the NRCT's division, namely Thailand Remote Sensing Center (TRSC). TRSC serviced and promoted utlization of remote sensing data for management of natural resources and environment in Thailand

In 1982, Thailand Ground Receiving Station was set up as first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Then TRSC became satellite data distributor to users worldwide. The available satellite data are such as LANDSAT, SPOT, NOAA, ERS and MOS. In 1993, GIS Coordainating and Promotion Section was founded under the Information Center of Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) in order to promote the use of GIS technology and to coordinate among users with an attempt to set up GIS standards and GIS Index Database for data exchange at national level.

In order to enhance the utilization in remote sensing and GIS, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) : GISTDA was established on November 3, 2000 as a public organization which assumes all responsibilities and activities for space technology and geo-informatics applications.

The THailand Earth Observation Satellite (THEOS) is the first operational earth observation satellite of Thailand. The THEOS program was developed by GISTDA, EADS Astrium, the prime contractor, initiated work on the satellite in 2004.

On October 1, 2008, THEOS was successfully launched by Dnepr launcher from Yasny, Russian Federation. Today, GISTDA is developing a worldwide network of distributors to allow the users to use and access to all GISTDA products.

The COSMO-SkyMed system is a constellation of four radar satellites for Earth observation for dual (civil and military) use. Its purpose is to monitor the globe for the sake of emergency prevention (management of environmental risks), strategy (defense and national security), and scientific and commercial purposes, providing data on a global scale. The radar will enable earth surveying in X-band, 3.1 cm wave length, modified radiation polarization - HH, VH, HV, VV.

Multi-polarimetric and multi-temporal capabilities enable many civilian and advanced defense applications. The sensor can acquire images of the earth in ScanSAR mode (large coverage with a medium to coarse spatial resolution) or in Stripmap mode (medium coverage with a fine resolution) or Spotlight mode (small coverage with meter resolution).