People from all around the world watched as the clock ticked closer to the much-anticipated launch of Thailand Earth Observation Satellite 2 (THEOS-2). With mere seconds to go, a technical hurdle robbed the event of its peak moment. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), the reins holder to this ambitious project, had to put a temporary stop to the countdown at just 14 seconds remaining.
THEOS-2 wasn’t the only one to take a step back; Taiwan’s Triton, also known as FORMOSAT-7R, a weather satellite, and 10 smaller satellites belonging to the European Space Agency were fettered to the same timeline. All set and ready on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, South America, they had been prepped to share the spotlight during this momentous lift-off.
In an ironic twist of fate, while millions of eyes were glued to Gistda’s livestream at 8.37 am Thailand time, a warning system diligently reported a malfunction. THEOS-2’s highly skilled developers from Arianespace and Airbus later made public that the satellite launch had entered a state of indefinite limbo.
Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation shed light on the root cause: an unexpectedly high electrical overload. This surge overshot the permissible threshold, leading the satellite’s safety management unit to halt the operation, prioritizing safety over spectacle.
In her proclamation, Isarabhakdi assured that both Arianespace and Airbus would be conducting a thorough inspection and their report would be published in a matter of a day. Simultaneously, she vowed that Gistda would reveal the satellite’s revised launching date at the earliest possible time.
According to Gistda’s statement on their official Facebook page, the Federal Aviation Administration has a strict rule in place. If weather conditions or technical accidents can disrupt a smooth launch, it must be delayed. In the case of THEOS-2, culprits that put a brake on the proceedings included both ground-based launching apparatus and potential damage to satellite components.
While the delay in the launch may have momentarily dampened the global space enthusiasts and tech giants’ spirits, the meticulous approach towards safety, quality control, and putting well-being before any timeline, definitely marks a win for the space industry, setting high standards of safety and professionalism.
Be First to Comment