The Discovery of Thailand's Astronauts Scholarship Programme, the first-ever space-exploration scholarship for young Thai students, was launched Thursday in Bangkok.
The programme was sponsored by Space Camp Thailand along with King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand Space and Aeronautics Research, and the US Space & Rocket Centre (USSRC), with support from the US embassy in Thailand.
Under the scholarship, three Thai students aged between 14-18 will be selected as Thailand's representatives to experience an introduction to space during a six-day Advanced Space Academy Programme at the US Space and Rocket Centre (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama.
At the centre, the students will learn about the Space Launch System -- the most powerful rocket the US has ever built -- and Nasa's mission to colonise Mars.
They will also experience simulated astronaut training on equipment adapted from Nasa's astronaut training programme.
Krit Kunplin, the project manager, said this is a great opportunity for young Thais who dream of exploring and learning more about space technology as these are the first-ever space-training scholarships to be offered in Thailand or even Southeast Asia.
"Nasa plans to send astronauts to explore and colonise Mars by the year 2040, so it needs to train the young generation, the so-called Mars Generation, for the future because its current astronauts will all be in their 50s at that time.
"So, this might be an important step in developing a window of opportunity for Thais who want to be involved in Mars exploration missions. Who knows, maybe one of the astronauts on these missions will be a Thai citizen," he said.
KMITL president Suchatvee Suwansawat said all three scholarship winners will also be offered a full scholarship by the KMITL to study in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) faculties.
"Moreover, when they graduate from KMITL, they will have a chance to obtain a scholarship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology [MIT] because our ultimate goal is to find the first Thai astronaut," he said.
Mr Suchatvee urged all Thai students interested in space exploration to apply for the scholarships as it will benefit them in other ways even if they do not win them.
"All applicants will have to pass the SCAT [Space Camp Aptitude Test], which involves 100 English-language multiple choice STEM questions that require basic knowledge of physics, dynamics, logic and general knowledge of space exploration," he said.
"The 20 applicants with the highest scores will be selected for the final round at a STEM camp for three days at KMITL. The finalists will have to demonstrate inventive and innovative skills using their STEM knowledge,'' he said.
The online application process for the scholarships starts today and ends on Oct 14.
Those interested in applying can find out more information at www.spacecampthailand.com.