Prepare to launch ultra-small satellite

The technical model of the first ultra-small satellite built in Vietnam called Pico-Dragon (translating Small Dragon) was completed in May 2009 and is expected to be operational in 2010/2011.

Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Space Technology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has stated above.

This is a product of the Institute of Space Technology under the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology with the advice and technical support of the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA).

Pico - Dragon satellite is made by a group of young engineers (8X generation), most of whom have studied electronics, electronics - telecommunications, mechanics, automation .

Small satellite .

Unlike the first satellite of Vietnam, the geostationary satellite - Vinasat-1 is very large and modern, launched into orbit last April, the first satellite built in Vietnam Pico-Dragon has the size relatively modest size: 10x10x10cm, weighing less than 2kg, is a remote sensing satellite.

Pico - Dragon satellite is made by a group of young engineers (8X generation) who mostly study electronics, electronics - telecommunications, mechanics, automation and TS. Pham Anh Tuan (team leader) directed the implementation.

'Small dragon' consists of two basic parts (bus) and function (payload). The basic part is the main modules of satellites such as structural modules, computer modules and electronics, control modules, communications and energy modules. Functional part includes camera module and various types of current, voltage, and temperature sensors to monitor the operating status of satellites.

' Small size (less than 2kg), Pico-Dragon is expected to be launched with satellites of other countries. Each time this launch has more than ten Pico / Nano satellites. One-off price "thanks" is about $ 50,000, 'said Dr. Pham Anh Tuan.

Ariane 5 rocket carrying VINASAT-1 leaves the launch pad at Kourou (South America) at 5:17 am April 19, Hanoi time.

Also according to TS. Pham Anh Tuan, after the launch, can know whether the manufacture of Vietnam's satellites is successful or not, because the true quality of satellites is only expressed and verified when operating in space space. .

A big chance…

Reportedly, the micro-Pico satellite project is mainly aimed at training young staff. Learning is done directly through the process from design, manufacture to experiment, launch into orbit and finally control satellites.

According to Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, through this fabrication, Vietnamese young engineers have the opportunity to get more basic knowledge and professional working style that high-tech industries require very strict.

In addition, this is a project with cooperation with foreign countries (Japan) so young Vietnamese engineers will have the conditions to learn technology, as well as cooperation and cooperation, to join the national projects. about satellite development.

' If fully invested, Vietnamese engineers can step by step capture and manufacture satellites, and even make satellites larger than Pico satellites, ' said Dr. Pham Anh Tuan. .

The technical model of the first ultra-small satellite built in Vietnam called Pico -Dragon (roughly translated Small Dragon) was completed in May 2009 and is expected to be put into operation in 2010/2011 .

Dr. Pham Anh Tuan also added that the Space Technology Institute has proposed funding for the development of flying models (models used for launchers) of Pico-Dragon Satellite. If approved, it is expected that in 2010/2011 the first satellite built in Vietnam will be launched into orbit.

Due to being built primarily for training purposes, Mr. Tuan said the Space Technology Institute is ready to transfer to young people at universities who are interested to be able to research and manufacture.

Immediately after completing the Pico-Dragon satellite engineering model, the research team began to participate in the coordination program between the space research organizations in the Asia-Pacific region to design and manufacture create and prepare to launch a small 50kg Earth Observation satellite (Micro STAR) satellite serving Asia - Pacific satellite development - proposed and organized by Japan (APAXAF Satellite (JAXA).

And difficulties .

Currently, Vietnam is still one of the countries on the list of those still subject to high technology import restrictions, so the purchase of sensitive equipment or high-tech equipment has significantly affected the progress of the project.

A member of the fabrication team said that in order to complete the current Pico satellite, the group had to make and change Pico's design no less than five times to design it with devices that could be purchased. .

' Although the actual value has not yet been calculated, Pico's manufacturing cost is estimated to be over 600 million dong, ' said the member.

According to the manufacturing group, the biggest problem facing the group is the lack of experience and knowledge in satellite manufacturing. Therefore, all of them have to self-learn, learn from experts and friends, through international cooperation. Moreover, due to the establishment of the new institute, the infrastructure, research equipment for the process of manufacturing satellites, electronic devices, communication and testing equipment are all lacking.

In particular, the equipment for the process of satellite testing (aerial simulation equipment) is very expensive and currently not available in Vietnam also significantly affects the process of manufacturing satellite implementation.

Overcoming these difficulties, at the same time aware of the manufacturing of small satellites is the development trend of aerospace technology, the Institute of Space Technology successfully fabricated the micro-satellite model Pico and attend. Comments will be released in 2010/2011.

Pico - Dragon satellite will operate in space with a life of about 6 months, promising to serve the research and training of young staff in the field of fledgling space technology in Vietnam.

It is known that the upcoming technical model of Pico - Dragon satellite will be displayed at Vietnam Techmart ASEAN + 3 exhibition from September 17-19 in Hanoi.

The mission of remote sensing satellite is taking pictures.Because low-level flying revolves around the Earth, remote sensing satellites can take pictures and give very clear images.Application of remote sensing satellites is to protect natural resources and the environment, Earth observation: serving more accurate weather forecast, monitoring of regions and marine resources, controlling forest fires .

The characteristics of remote sensing satellites are to use different sensors, so it is possible to capture different types of color spectra to be able to recognize the types of trees, land .

In the process of shooting many times, we can identify and compare the distribution of forest land, different trees, landslides, etc. Remote sensing satellites are also applied in the security field national defense with such things as observing ships entering and leaving, foreign ships infiltrating into Vietnamese territory.