BANGKOK — Thailand is preparing for a historic step in space exploration, with a Thai-designed and developed scientific payload set to travel to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e 7 mission on 24 August 2026.
Yotsanan Wongsawat, deputy prime minister and minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, announced the country’s readiness on 4 August during a press conference titled “Thailand’s First Mission to Explore the Moon.”
The CE-7 MATCH scientific payload, developed by Thai researchers and engineers at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), will be one of seven international scientific instruments carried by the Chang’e 7 mission.
The launch of the Long March-5 Y14 rocket carrying the Chang’e 7 spacecraft will be broadcast live from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in China’s Hainan province on 24 August.
The mission marks the first time a Thai-developed scientific payload has passed international standards and been selected to participate in a major global lunar exploration mission.
Yotsanan said the achievement was more than a scientific milestone, describing it as evidence of Thailand’s progress in developing human capital and moving towards an innovation-driven economy.
The mission will involve operating in an orbit approximately 200 kilometres above the Moon’s surface, presenting significant technical challenges while creating opportunities to develop advanced engineering expertise and strengthen Thailand’s emerging space economy.
The CE-7 MATCH instrument will monitor space conditions and measure cosmic radiation while studying the relationship between Earth, the Sun and the Moon. It is expected to conduct continuous observations of solar storms over the next three years.
The data could contribute to monitoring and warning systems for satellites around the world, while helping develop Thai engineers with expertise in space-grade technology.
Yotsanan said the most important outcome of the Thailand Moonshot mission was not only the scientific instrument itself but also the development of people.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Education are working together to broadcast the historic launch to more than 3 million young people across Thailand.
The initiative will also partner with Sea (Thailand), using digital platforms with more than 20 million users to expand access to STEM education and inspire young people to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.
Education Minister Akaranan Kannkittinan said the Ministry of Education had long promoted STEM learning, but the greater goal was to create inspiration among young people.
The mission would show Thai children that technology developed by Thai people could achieve global recognition and reach the Moon, encouraging them to dream bigger and potentially become world-class scientists in the future, he said.
NARIT director Wiphu Rujopakan said the CE-7 MATCH instrument would measure cosmic radiation and study the Earth-Sun-Moon relationship, supporting preparations for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the future.
He said the mission demonstrated that Thai technology had successfully passed international standards and earned a place in a major global lunar exploration programme.
“The most valuable outcome of this mission is not only the instrument itself, but the potential of Thai people who have grown through the challenge,” Wiphu said.
Thai PBS director Wanchai Tantiwitthayaphitak said the broadcaster would provide live coverage from the Wenchang launch site on 24 August, including real-time mission analysis by experts.
Thai PBS will also create an online learning hub featuring news, in-depth articles and videos about the mission and space exploration.
Meanwhile, Sea (Thailand) senior director Sarut Wanichphan said the company would expand access to STEM learning through its digital platforms.
Information about the CE-7 MATCH mission and the Chang’e 7 launch will be shared through Shopee, while Garena Free Fire’s Craftland mode will feature an “Into the Universe” themed map where users can explore and participate in a real-time launch countdown.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has invited the public, young people and schools nationwide to watch the live broadcast of the Chang’e 7 launch and the CE-7 MATCH mission on 24 August.
The broadcast will be available through NARIT, the Ministry of Education, Thai PBS and Thai PBS Sci & Tech Facebook pages, as well as NARIT Thailand and OBEC Channel on YouTube.
Additional mission updates and educational activities will be shared through NARIT, the Ministry of Education and Shopee Thailand throughout the mission.
