Mu Space Corp, Thailand's sole satellite and space tech startup, has collaborated with True Digital Park to operate an open R&D lab on space technology.
The 200-square-metre Mu Space open lab is one of several open labs located in the 77,000 sq m innovation zone of True Digital Park, the integrated co-working ecosystem operated by True Corporation.
The move also helps True Digital Park towards its goal to be the largest digital hub in Southeast Asia, acting as a knowledge-sharing centre driving digital innovation and enabling sustainable growth of the startup ecosystem.
Thanasorn Jaidee, president of True Digital Park, said Mu Space Corp rented an open lab space in the park for innovation development, covering areas of space business and service, while True provides all related support, including facilitating and building up ecosystems, and attracting new talent and startups to join the open lab.
"Signing a memorandum of understanding with Mu Space Corp yesterday will also draw interest from other startups and talent to the park, especially related to space business and service, which still have huge opportunities," Mr Thanasorn said.
James Yenbamroong, chief executive and founder of Mu Space, said it provides backhaul connectivity capacity to enterprises, including mobile operators, through its communication satellite transponder.
Mu Space rents satellite transponder capacity from SES, the leading satellite operator offering the first delivery differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO worldwide, with more than 50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 12 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).
Mr James said Mu Space plans to provide telecom services via satellite in Thailand and across Asia-Pacific, aiming at accelerating the adoption of Internet of Things devices and smart cities.
The company plans to launch its own satellite in 2020 using Blue Origin's New Glenn space vehicle and to lead space tourism in Asia-Pacific.
"Space business and services sound very far-off, but there are more opportunities for exploring and developing innovative business and services, apart from satellite communication services," he said.
Mu Space plans to operate a lab at True Digital Park to develop space technology for advanced food security, clothing, energy consumption, communications, medicine and agriculture, said Mr James.
The investment value of space business and service in US and Europe is almost US$10 billion (313 billion baht), while in Southeast Asia it is only $128 million, indicating tremendous opportunities here, he said.
Mr James said satellite networks enable companies to establish corporate networks and deliver broadband access and mobile backhaul services. Governments and institutions seeking secured access to space can use the tailored solutions to launch their systems.
Even with 5G wireless technology, satellite capacity will provide core connectivity for many uses because the technology can offer unlimited communications with fast deployment, regardless of distance.