Thailand Joins ESA’s ARRAKIHS Space Mission to Help Unravel the Mystery of Dark Matter

Thailand’s National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has joined the international ARRAKIHS space mission, a new European Space Agency (ESA) project designed to study how galaxies form and evolve. The mission was recently approved as ESA’s second Fast-class (F2) science mission and is scheduled for launch in the late 2030s. The approval was endorsed by all 23 ESA member states, reflecting strong international support for the project. Scientists and engineers from Europe and partner countries around the world will work together throughout the mission’s development and operation.

ARRAKIHS will observe at least 80 galaxies similar to the Milky Way over 3 to 5 years. By studying faint structures left behind by past galaxy interactions, scientists hope to gain new insights into the history of galaxies, about how galaxies and the wider universe have evolved, while improving the understanding of dark matter, one of the universe’s greatest mysteries. 

NARIT has played a key role in preparing the mission. Since 2018, Thai researchers have helped develop simulation software used to model the telescope’s future observations. These simulations are run on NARIT’s high-performance computing system, CHALAWAN, one of only four major computing facilities worldwide supporting the mission’s data preparation efforts.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone for Thailand’s space science community. It is the first time a Thai research institute has become part of both the scientific and technical teams of an ESA-approved space mission. The achievement highlights Thailand’s growing role in international space research and opens new opportunities for future cooperation with leading space agencies and research institutions worldwide.

Source: PR Thai Government

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