Vietnam backs up time to launch VNREDSat-1 satellite

That is the information recently said by the Management Board of the small satellite project, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

>>>Vietnam is about to launch the US $ 72 million satellite to space

VNREDSat-1 satellite, designed and manufactured by EADS Astrium Company (France), has undergone a series of tests in cosmic simulation environments and is certified to be qualified for orbit in February 2013.

On March 8, 2013, VNREDSat-1 satellite was safely transported in a special container to the launch yard in Kourou, French Guyana. This is a launch site located in Guyana Space Center, a satellite launch of Europe, with the advantage of being close to the equator, facilitating the launch of satellites on orbit around the earth.

This space center is in the general management of the French Space Agency (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The only contractor allowed to operate the launches here is ArianeSpace Company (France). This is also the unit that has successfully implemented hundreds of launches of European Ariane, VEGA missiles and Russian Soyuz missiles.

VNREDSat-1 satellite of Vietnam.

According to the plan, VNREDSat-1 satellite along with two other satellites, ESA PROBA-V satellite and Estonia's pico ESTCube-1 satellite will be put into orbit by the VEGA-designed VEGA missile. . Currently, all three satellites have completed compatibility tests with the VEGA rocket launcher. The initial satellite launch schedule is scheduled for April 19, 2013 (Kourou time).

Determining the exact date and time of the launch will be decided by CNES based on the evaluation of factors: Availability of ArianeSpace launcher missiles, availability of satellites; favorable weather conditions for launchers; Safety in areas where missiles are expected to fly over and areas where missile parts will fall after completing missions.

The decision to launch satellites requires careful examination at all stages and should not underestimate any of the slightest doubts. Therefore, according to the latest announcement, Astrium and ArianeSpace Company decided to extend the time to check the availability of VEGA launch missiles before answering officially with CNES that the missiles are ready. This extra time also enables satellites to be tested once more as well as to better assess weather conditions and safety in flight zones. The earliest estimated launch time will be back on April 24, 2013 by Kourou, French Guyana.

VNREDSat-1 satellite system - Vietnam's first earth observation satellite system - is part of the strategy of Research and application of space technology to 2020 approved by the Prime Minister.