“TSRI Meets with NASA Gateway and Voyager Technologies to Discuss Thailand’s Space Research Collaboration”

On September 14, 2025, at 5:02 AM Thailand time, the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), as the primary funding agency through the Science, Research and Innovation Fund (TSRI Fund), brought pride to the Thai research community by supporting the Thailand Liquid Crystals in Space (TLC) project—marking the first time Thai research has been conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Professor Dr. Sompong Klai-Nongsuang, Director of TSRI, represented Thailand at the launch ceremony of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, alongside executives from Kasetsart University and the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B).

The TLC experiment is a collaboration between Kasetsart University and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It focuses on testing liquid crystals—a key material in the LCD display industry—under microgravity conditions. This milestone expands Thailand’s frontier research into the global arena, enabled by TSRI and the TSRI Fund’s crucial financial support. The project provides Thai researchers with the rare opportunity to generate new knowledge unattainable on Earth, laying the groundwork for future technology and industrial development. It also reinforces confidence in Thailand’s capability to drive advanced research on par with leading nations.

Professor Dr. Sompong Klai-Nongsuang, Director of TSRI, stated:
“This support for space research not only reflects the vital role of TSRI and the TSRI Fund in advancing frontier research, but also symbolizes Thailand’s ability to generate knowledge recognized on the global stage. TSRI and the TSRI Fund are committed to supporting high-impact, high-challenge research and innovation that will advance science, foster future industries, strengthen research talent, and build confidence in the nation’s potential. Ultimately, this will yield long-term economic and social benefits.”