FPT expects to launch the first satellite in 2011

The final model of a ready-to-fly F-1 satellite will be completed this year and is expected to launch a 2-kilogram satellite in 2011.

On May 25, at the launching ceremony of FPT Technology Research Institute, representative of FPT Space Research Laboratory (FSpace), the research team is designing, manufacturing, testing and operating F-1 satellites. , equipped with cameras to take pictures, sensors to measure the temperature and magnetic field of the earth to understand the environment in orbit.

The goal of F-1 is to "live" in space for at least a year and signal the earth; capture low resolution images of the earth; and the speed of data transmission from satellites to earth reaches 1,200 bits / second. If these requirements are fulfilled, the new satellite will be tested for more complex features such as taking 1 megapixel resolution pictures or increasing the transmission rate to 9,600bit / s .

Small satellite model F-1 flying on earth orbit.Photo: FSpace.

Although satellite manufacturing has appeared and developed in many countries, but for Vietnam, this is still a new field. Therefore, the Fspace team must self-learn and learn from foreign experiences as well as the advice of domestic and foreign experts.

In early 2009, the group's first task was to research the construction of satellite signal receiving stations because if the satellite could be made but could not communicate with the earth, the project would be meaningless. Signal reception is very difficult because the satellite flies very far from the earth, the distance to the earth station averages about 2,000 km while the broadcasting capacity of the satellite is low.

After two months of searching, the group successfully collected the US NOAA meteorological satellite signal, Cute 1 CO-55 of Japan and Lusat Oscar LO-19 of Argentina. The group used software to decode the cloud images captured by the NOAA meteorological satellite as well as decode CW beacon signals of other small satellites as Morse codes. After this success, FSpace entered the phase of mechanical design, electronics and development of control software for F-1 satellites.

According to the representative, the group will make 3 models of F-1 satellites: functional testing model (BreadBoard Model - BBM), technical model (Engineering Model - EM) and end The same model is flying (Flight Model - FM).

BBM model of F-1 satellite.Photo: FSpace.

With BBM model, the group tried to receive signals in the room at a distance of 2 meters, then gradually increased to 100 meters, 2 km, 7 km, 20 km and succeeded with a distance of 50 km when putting the satellite up. Tam Dao mountain peak to contact ground station located at FPT Cau Giay building.

Currently, FSpace has obtained a license to use the power frequency for ground stations from the Radio Frequency Department (MIC) and to apply for a license to use frequencies for orbiting satellites on the National Committee. IARU amateur radio.

Mr. Vu Trong Thu, leader of Fspace, said that F-1 satellite is being rushed to complete the first test model. Under the plan, the final model ready to fly will be completed in 2010 and is expected to launch this satellite in 2011.

If everything succeeds, it may be the first private satellite of Vietnam launched into space.

In April 2008, Vinasat-1 satellite of Vietnam was successfully launched into orbit. Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said, Vietnam has "shown national sovereignty over space". In early 2010, the Prime Minister agreed to allow VNPT to be the investor of Vinasat-2 project (total investment of 290-350 million USD), expected to launch in 2012.