Scientific study of pile of stones in Thailand? Quite the opposite (8)
I believe the answer is:
rocketry
'scientific study' is the definition.
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
(Other definitions for rocketry that I've seen before include "Powerful science" , "Propulsion of missiles" , "Science concerned with missiles" , "Branch specialised in launching" , "Study of space vehicles" .)