Napa-1 (Thai: นภา-1), also known as RTAF-SAT-1, is a Thai Earth observation satellite. It is the first satellite of the Royal Thai Air Force.[1] [2] The satellite was built by Dutch firm Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISpace).[3] After being delayed several times partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the satellite was launched on 3 September 2020, on Arianespace Vega rocket's flight VV16.[2] [4]
The nano satellite is based on Innovative Solutions In Space's ISISpace 6U CubeSat and is designed to function for three years.[3] [1] [5] It carries a Gecko Imager manufactured by South African firm SCS Space, and a prototype TriScape100 Imager from Simera Sense.[1] [6] Napa-1 will use the two instruments for remote sensing, including disaster relief such as combating floods and wildfire detection.[5] [2] According to the Bangkok Post, the satellite cost less than 100 million baht.[2]