Thailand Seizes the Lunar Moment

GISTDA Accelerates Strategic Integration into the NASA Artemis Program

BANGKOK and WASHINGTON, DC — Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has decisively moved into a high-acceleration phase of its participation in the NASA Artemis program. This week and next, through a series of high-level diplomatic and technical meetings in Bangkok and Washington DC, Thailand is transitioning from an Artemis Accords signatory into an active partner in the mission to return humans to the Moon and establish a permanent presence there.

Phase I: Bangkok Workshop Mobilization

The week began with a major workshop in Bangkok attended by more than 120 Thai stakeholders. On Monday, 23 March 2026, GISTDA— under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI)—organized a workshop on “Advanced Technology Collaboration for Space Exploration through the Artemis Program.” The workshop was held at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel, and was led by Professor Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, MHESI Permanent Secretary, and Dr. Damrongrit Niammuad, Deputy Director of GISTDA. It was attended by a US Embassy representative, and convened “finest minds” from more than 40 government agencies, academic institutions, research facilities, and private enterprises. The workshop explored how the GISTDA-NASA Artemis Partnership can help build Thailand’s new space economy ecosystem. Furthermore, the brainstorming session sheds light on potential contributions to Artemis technology gaps while maintaining the benefits of the Thai space sector.

Phase II: High-Level Bilateral Meetings at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC

Next, Dr. Pakorn Apaphant, Executive Director of GISTDA, traveled to Washington DC to meet with new NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. On March 24-25 2026, Dr. Pakorn led the Thai delegation at the two-day NASA Ignition Event—a landmark conference where NASA unveiled an accelerated timeline to land humans on the Moon by 2028, and build a permanent Moon Base. Thailand was the only ASEAN Artemis Accords member to send its Head of Space Agency to the NASA Ignition Event, underscoring GISTDA’s strong commitment to the Artemis partnership.

Dr. Pakorn also led high-level bilateral talks at NASA Headquarters (HQ) in Washington DC—accompanied by Mr. Thitidej Tularak, Minister-Counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy. GISTDA is moving quickly to match Thai space capabilities with the “speed and opportunity” offered by NASA’s new approach to Artemis missions and Moon Base plans.

GISTDA is ready to enlist the whole of Thailand in aligning national capabilities to Artemis goals. This can include coordination across the Royal Thai government; public-private partnerships; full engagement with industry and the thriving Thai private sector; innovation incubators, economic clusters, and science and tech hubs; research partnerships; skilled workforce development; and social and economic development throughout Thailand.

Phase III: Witnessing History at Artemis II Launch in Florida

Next week, the momentum continues as GISTDA prepares to attend the Artemis II launch. Scheduled sometime between 1 and 6 April 2026, this historic launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida will fly astronauts in a loop around the Moon for the first time since 1972. For the first time in more than 50 years, humans will journey into cislunar space. And this time, as an Artemis partner nation, Thailand will be part of it.

“Not every generation is afforded the opportunity to live through a historic moment like the human return to the Moon,” said Dr. Pakorn Apaphant, Head of GISTDA. “Thailand is not participating merely as a spectator, but as an active partner. Our goal is to see the Thai national flag and Thai technology featured on Artemis missions—and to always find ways to deliver economic benefits and improve life in Thailand through space activity.”

Looking Forward: Maximizing Thai Benefits from the Lunar Economy

Since signing the Artemis Accords in December 2024, GISTDA has leveraged Moon-to-Mars space goals to catalyze domestic space ecosystem growth. GISTDA is now finalizing detailed proposals for deeper NASA cooperation, leveraging Thai industries to support lunar missions, Moon Base plans, and eventual journeys to Mars and deeper space.

By aligning with NASA’s accelerated goals, GISTDA aims to elevate Thailand’s space ecosystem—ensuring, in Dr. Pakorn’s words, that the “potential of the Thai people can reach to the Moon, and beyond.”

About GISTDA

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) is Thailand’s main space agency. GISTDA is dedicated to developing the nation's space ecosystem, supporting the emerging New Space Economy, and fostering international collaboration to benefit the Thai people, as well as the Thai and global scientific, technology, and research communities.

Through GISTDA, Thailand is a signatory of the Artemis Accords, which seek to advance Moon, Mars, and space exploration in a peaceful, transparent, and cooperative spirit.

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