PicoDragon is launched successfully into space on November 19, 2013. (Photo: kynguyenso.plo.vn) Pham Anh Tuan, Director General of the VietnamNational Space Centre (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology,said aware of its limited economic and science-technology capability, Vietnamhas chosen to focus on small satellite manufacturing and imagery.
After years of study and manufacturing, and with thesupport of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Vietnamese engineerssuccessfully made a micro satellite.
The 1kg PicoDragon, the first home-made satellite,was launched successfully into space on November 19, 2013, and remained inorbit for three months.
Later, 36engineers of the VNSC were sent to five leading universities of Japan for spacetechnology courses. Under the instruction of Japanese professors, they designedand manufactured another satellite.
The 50kg MicroDragon was launched on an Epsilon 4rocket from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture, onJanuary 18, 2019. It also successfully transmitted signals to earth.
Weighing MicroDragon (Photo: JAXA) NanoDragon’s research, design, and integration wasdone completely in Vietnam by VNSC scientists. It seeks to demonstratemicro-satellite beam technology to receive automatic identification system(AIS) signals to monitor activities at sea.
Vietnam's strategy for the development and application of space science and technology by 2030 has set a major goal of mastering the technology of making small satellites towards self-producing such satellites.
To realise such goal, Tuan stressed the importantrole of the Prime Minister in directing and coordinating ministries and agenciesin this field.
Special management mechanisms are needed tofacilitate space technology projects, he said, adding that the domestic manufacturing ofsatellites also requires long-term investment.
Tuan suggested Vietnam soon join the UN treaties onthe peaceful uses of outer space, and work to protect national interests in space,together with land, air, sea and cyber.
Bui Trong Tuyen, Director of the Space TechnologyInstitute, stressed that to develop space technology, Vietnam needs todiversify resources, suggesting the State offer tax incentives to encouragebusinesses to join the field./.
VNA
