Based on the cooperation agreement between both the Governments of Thailand and France, the Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS) program has been established. The THEOS satellite is the first high-resolution Earth observation satellite for Thailand to be operated by a Thai public organization, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA).

The Marketing and Public Relations of THEOS Project, GISTDA, Pitan Singhasaneh said, "THEOS satellite is expected to provide worldwide geo-referenced image products and image reception - processing capabilities for applications in cartography, land use, natural disaster assessment and mitigation, environmental monitoring, agriculture and forest management, and coastal zone monitoring. THEOS can support timely imaging of any areas in less than 3 days. THEOS satellite carries 2 optical instruments: a high resolution [swath width 22 km; resolution 2m] Panchromatic telescope and a wide field of view [swath width 90 km; resolution 15m] Multispectral camera. These 2 optical instruments have been tailored to Thailand specific needs with a worldwide imaging capability. THEOS satellite, with the mass of about 750 kg has a design life of 5 years. The satellite orbit is at 822 km of altitude with an inclination angle of 98.7 degrees and a repeat cycle of about 26 days. THEOS satellite is scheduled to be launched in October 2007 in a sun-synchronous orbit from Yasny launch base, Russia, by a Dnepr rocket. The satellite has passed thermal, mechanical, electrical and electromagnetic compatibility tests and is undergoing post reference test at the moment."

GISTDA Website:
http://www.gistda.or.th/