Launching many satellites

It is expected that a series of satellites will be put into production and launched into space in the near future, helping Vietnam advance to master the small satellite technology to observe the earth.

According to Deputy Director of Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC) Vu Viet Phuong, space technology is a high-tech field, integrating many different technology industries to create great economic benefits and promote technology industries. other development.

For Vietnam, space technology offers practical benefits such as: Increasing capacity of prediction, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, management and development of natural resources, establishing telecommunications infrastructure. communication and satellite television, protecting the sovereignty of the country .

According to the roadmap to achieve satellite self-production "made in Vietnam" by 2020, VNSC has implemented a number of projects to design and develop earth observation satellites.

VNSC satellite development process.

The first "made in Vietnam" satellite was put into orbit, PicoDragon in 2013. All steps in the process of satellite development, from research, design, manufacturing, integration, to testing, . all done in Vietnam. The mission of the satellite is to take photos of the earth, measure some parameters and the cosmic environment and test contact with the earth.

Currently, NanoDragon satellite project is being implemented by a team of 100% of VNSC engineers and experts. The NanoDragon weighs about 6kg, is expected to be launched into orbit in 2019. This satellite is responsible for supporting and bringing high efficiency of automatic ship identification system, monitoring fishing vessels.

Another ongoing project is the development of MicroDragon satellite which is responsible for coastal waters monitoring to assess water quality, forecasting the most suitable waters for aquaculture. Satellite is in the integration phase and will be completed in September 2017, which is expected to be launched in early 2018 by Japanese Epsilon missiles.

In early 2017, the earth observation satellite project with LOTUSat-1 and 2 radar sensors will be produced. LOTUSat-1 will be made by Japan with the participation of Vietnamese engineers. LOTUSat-2 will be assembled and tested by VNSC engineers at the Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing Center in Hoa Lac, marking the ability of Vietnam to develop its own observation satellite.

LOTUSat-1 and 2 satellite systems will ensure the observation of the earth in the event of an emergency disaster with all weather conditions; building and processing satellite data for early supervision and warning of natural disasters and environmental disasters .

The first "made in Vietnam" satellite was put on orbit in PicoDragon in 2013.

In order to master technology and human resources is one of the most important factors, so VNSC is focusing on staff training.

According to Mr. Vu Viet Phuong, if technology is not available, it will find a way to order or receive the transfer, the infrastructure that needs to be invested is able to be built, but it can train a team of skilled professionals. and experienced requires much time and effort.

The Center has sent 36 young officials to Japan to train a master's degree in satellite technology. These people will join some experts in the process of making satellites, then return to Vietnam to design and assemble satellites.

Besides, the Center also cooperates with 5 Japanese universities to train human resources, cooperating with 3 Vietnamese universities to open and train the qualifications in the period 2016-2020. Application of satellite fields and construction of space science programs.