mu Space bound for True Digital Park
THAI satellite technology startup mu Space Corp will set up an open lab in True Digital Park to conduct research and develop on satellite and space technology.
Both signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday on mu Space's plan to open the lab in the park, said True Digital Park president Thanasorn Jaidee.
The lab is expected to be opened in October, when True Digital Park will soft launch the first phase of the digital park project.
mu Space’s chief executive officer and founder James Yenbamroong said that mu Space will operate the lab at True Digital Park to develop space technology. It will also attract the talent in the field to help it carry out the research development.
“We are doing this to support the implementation of the Thailand 4.0 economic policy to make the country a hub for technology and innovation in Southeast Asia,” James said. “We believe that the innovation we develop will help to improve the quality of life and help create more sustainable cities in the future.”
He added that at present most of the global investment in the space and satellite technologies came from private companies, unlike in the old days when the state sector led the way. James said that last year private investment in space technology in the US was about US$5 billion, in Europe about US$3.9 billion, and Southeast Asia about US$128 million.
mu Space, which is 100 per cent Thai-owned, was founded in 2017. It plans to launch its own satellite in 2020. The company holds a licence from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to operate a satellite service.
True Digital Park provides four fully integrated areas, comprising space for co-working, enterprises, innovation, and events and business services. It is under construction in Sukhumvit 101.
The digital park covers 77,000 square metres, making it the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. The first-phase construction is expected to be completed in late 2018, featuring around 40,000 square metres.
Thanasorn said the park aims to build a complete ecosystem for startups that enables open innovation and collaboration between multinational companies, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, investors, universities, and the public sector. This, he said, makes True Digital Park a knowledge-sharing centre that drives digital innovation and enables the sustainable growth of the startup ecosystem in Thailand.
