Past Events

      The Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) project is set to launch into orbit in      September 2025

      The TLC project focuses on the study of  liquid  crystals  under  microgravity conditions  aboard  the  International Space Station (ISS).   The  project  has received   primary   funding from   the   Program   Management Unit  for HumanResources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B) during   2023 – 2025,  specifically  to support   the  design  and construction of the  payload for space experiments.

       The project represents a collaboration between faculty experts from the Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University,  researchers from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology  Development  Agency  (GISTDA), and specialists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.

      The origins of TLC trace back to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 24, 2021, between NASA—represented by Dr. Meredith M. McKay, Director of the Human Exploration and Operations Division—and Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University. This historic MOU marked the first formal agreement between NASA and a Southeast Asian country for conducting space experiments. Through this agreement, Thai researchers from Kasetsart University and GISTDA, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattaporn Chattham of the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, joined in liquid crystal research aboard the ISS.

            The liquid crystal experiment in space aims to advance Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology beyond current capabilities. Today, LCD screens are widely used in mobile phones across all segments of Thailand’s population. The global LCD display industry is valued at approximately USD 150 billion per year and is projected to grow to USD 1.4 trillion by 2029.

      By eliminating the effects of Earth’s gravity, space-based liquid crystal experiments significantly reduce internal defects in the material. As a result, liquid crystals respond more efficiently to electric fields, leading to LCDs with higher speed, lower power consumption, and superior resolution. Such advancements could eventually be replicated on Earth under simulated microgravity conditions.

            NASA also plans to apply this LCD technology in astronaut helmet displays and to develop smart windows for spacecraft—capable of withstanding extreme heat and radiation with high efficiency.

2025

     Thailand is making history with its first national payload in space under the Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) project. The mission will test liquid crystal research led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattaporn Chattham, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University.

       The TLC payload will be launched aboard NASA’s Commercial Resupply Mission CRS NG-23 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 15 September 2025, 6:00 PM (U.S. time) or the morning of 16 September 2025 (Thailand time).

   This groundbreaking experiment marks a new frontier for material science and space innovation, showcasing the capabilities of Thai researchers on the global stage.

📌 Follow the Real-Time Launch Update and watch the exclusive interview with the project leader here: Facebook TLC in Space

      Thailand’s First Payload in Space 

     “ISS 2030: Transitioning to the Next   Space Frontier”

      On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wanchai Pluempanupat, Dean of the Faculty of Science, presided over the opening ceremony of a special seminar on “ISS 2030: Transitioning to the Next Space Frontier.”

     The event was honored by guest speaker Dr. Kirt Costello, Commercial LEO Development Program Utilization Manager, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, and was held at the Sumint Samutkupit Conference Room, 3rd Floor, 45th Anniversary Physical Sciences Building, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University.

       “ISS 2030: Transitioning to the Next Space Frontier”

     16 December 2024, Thailand is the 51st country to join the Artemis Accords, a framework for cooperation in Moon exploration and beyond. Signing ceremony by Director of Gistda witnessed by the Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation of Thailand (MHESI) and Ambassador of USA to Thailand. Speeches given by Thailand Minister of MHESI and Senator Bill Nelson, Director of NASA. Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) is joining the ceremony and space exhibition to celebrate the event.

2024

      Meeting Greeting and Discussing with ISS payload operation director and Nanoracks Voyager Space Implementation partner of Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) at ISSRDC conference, Boston

     Seminar on “Space Industry – Future and Beyond” On May 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom, 7th Floor, The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, Bangkok

Panelists included:

1. Mr. Robert Hampton 

    Director of payload operation, NASA-ISSNL

2 Mr.Scott Roddriguez

   Vice President of Voyager-Nanorack LLC

3. Dr.-Ing Madhukar Chatiri

    CEO of CADFEM SEA Ltd., CADFEM India

4. Dr.Dhanorm Plumwongrot

  SEngineering Dev.Manager Sr.,Lumentum International (Thailand)          CO.,Ltd.

5. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nattaporn Chattham 

    PI of Thailand Liquid Crysrals in Space

     Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, presided over the opening of the progress report meeting for the Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) project.

     The TLC project is a collaboration between Kasetsart University and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The initiative involves a team of Thai researchers, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattaporn Chattham, participating in liquid crystal studies aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

     At the event, Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, and Prof. Dr. Sompong Klai-Nongsuang, Director of the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research, and Innovation (PMU-B), delivered the project report.

    The meeting took place on May 17, 2024, at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, Bangkok.

2023

     Kasetsart University congratulates Professor Dr. Noel Clark, the world’s first principal investigator of liquid crystal experiments in space, on receiving the Friend of Thai Science Award 2023. His contributions have been instrumental in fostering Thailand’s participation in the Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) project in collaboration with NASA.

     On Monday, November 13, 2023, at the University of Colorado, Boulder, USA, Dr. Satephan Krachangwong, Minister-Counsellor for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., represented Mr. Permsuk Sutchaphiwat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), in presenting the Friend of Thai Science Award 2023 to Professor Dr. Noel Clark, American physicist from the Department of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder.

      This award originated from the nomination by Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, in recognition of Prof. Dr. Clark’s significant contributions to Thailand. He was the one who recommended to NASA that Thai scientists—Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattaporn Chattham and Asst. Prof. Dr. Apichart Pattanaporkratana, both from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science,Kasetsart University—join the international liquid crystal research project OASIS II. This collaboration led to a positive response from NASA and eventually to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NASA and Kasetsart University on June 24, 2021.

   “From Lab to Orbit: Transforming Space Experiments into Commercial Success”

   A session on approaches to space education and research, featuring perspectives from leading Thai and international researchers, as well as plans for research support from PMUB, and research collaboration with NASA and JAXA to drive the development of space technology and commercial innovation.
    Held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 09:45–10:30 hrs. at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok.

   Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University;
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apisit Songsasen, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University; together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattaporn Chattham, Principal Investigator of the Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) Project, congratulated Mr.Robert F. Godec, U.S.Ambassador to Thailand, on the occasion of the celebration of the 247th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, held on June 29, 2023, at Plaza Athenee Hotel, Bangkok.