13 The government is teaming up with partners to produce satellites in order to boost the country's space capabilities under the ambitious Thai Space Consortium project. National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand photo A pilot satellite named TSC-Pathfinder, the first to be made by Thais, is expected to be launched in 2023 to survey Earth's natural resources. It is among five small satellites being developed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) in its 2021-2027 space technology programme. The ministry and 12 partners on Monday signed an agreement to work together on space technology research in a project involving five universities and space technology-related agencies.