With her role at the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), the expanse beyond Earth’s atmosphere is already familiar territory to Pirada Techavijit. Beyond the bounds of her daily routine to control and direct satellite activities from the ground, the 29-year-old satellite engineer will be the first Thai to travel into space. Thanks to the Axe Apollo Space Academy campaign, Pirada is one of 23 qualified contestants from almost a million astronaut-wannabes from around the world who will take off on Lynx for a suborbital spaceflight next year.
WHAT DOES A SATELLITE ENGINEER DO?
GISTDA is a Thai space research organisation. My main responsibility is to remotely control satellite activities of Thaichote — the first Thai Earth observation satellite — to ensure it is functioning properly and collecting data. Apart from that, I conduct related research also.
ARE YOU PRIMARILY INTO ASTRONOMY?
I am, mainly because of my job. I have attended academic conferences and met a number of astronauts. They are very inspiring. When I was young, I wanted to be a pilot, but my physical structure doesn’t meet the requirements. Working in this field, I learned that being small is an advantage in being an astronaut. Going into space then became a dream. When Axe Apollo opened for registration, I didn’t hesitate to join.
TELL US ABOUT THE AXE APOLLO SELECTION PROCESS.
It’s a global campaign. In Thailand, three people were selected as the country’s representatives to train at Global Space Camp in Florida. I won the national stage by holding the title of #1 hardcore fan of Apollo from the Fan Pan Tae quiz show. I studied about the iconic spacecraft specifically to win this. After body and mental health examinations in the local stage, me and two other Thai finalists flew to Florida for a one-week intensive training programme to go through a series of tests that simulated space missions including zero gravity, G force impact and other demanding scenarios. Only 23 candidates qualified for the space trip. I’m the only one from Thailand.
WAS THE TEST MORE MENTAL OR PHYSICAL?
It focused more on mental strength, I would say. Basically, you need to be physically sound. I had to go through boot camp challenges to test both mental skills and physical fitness. It was very tough. But I was bound and determined to complete the mission. It was my courage above all that got me through.
ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS FOR FEMALE ASTRONAUTS?
Female physical toughness may be second but mental strength is vital – to always be fully alert and responsive. When you’re on a mission, the physical conditions are affected by the acceleration of gravity.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THE FLIGHT?
The whole trip will take around 60 minutes. The spacecraft will go up to a height of 103 kilometres where we will have a great view of the Earth. In history, there have been only around 500 people to travel into space.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL FOR THIS MISSION?
To inspire. To encourage the younger generation – to make them feel that if they want to do something, they can. I’m an ordinary woman and, for me, to become an astronaut was an impossible dream. But when opportunity knocks and you’re determined, nothing can stop you. And I hope this spaceflight will be fruitful to the scientific and space technology development of our country in some way too. G
