MicroDragon along with six Japanese satellites is lanched using an Epsilon-4 rocket from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture (Photo: JAXA) Tokyo (VNA) – MicroDragon, a made-in-Vietnamearth observation satellite, was launched into space at 9:50 am in Japan onJanuary 18 (local time).
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) carried outthe launch of MicroDragon along with six Japanese satellites using an Epsilon-4rocket from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima Prefecture, some 1,000 kmaway from Tokyo.
The Vietnamese satellite was previously scheduled to enterspace on January 17 but had to wait a day later due to unfavourable weather.
MicroDragon will be separated from the rocket after about anhour and send back first signals in one or two days. The satellite’s operationis expected to become stable after one to three months in space.
The satellite was developed by 36 Vietnamese engineers fromthe Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC), who were sent to study spacetechnology in Japan’s top five universities, namely the University of Tokyo,Keio University, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University and Kyushu Institute ofTechnology. The group beganmanufacturing the satellite in 2013 and successfullycompleted and tested it in 2017.
MicroDragon, measuring 50x50x50 cm and weighing 50kilograms, is designed to monitor the quality of water in coastal areas, locatefishery resources, and observe changes in the ocean to assist the nation’saquaculture. Also, it will help exchange data with the Microsatellite communityin the world to enhance capacity in response to climate change and naturaldisasters.
Previously, VNSC engineers successfully made a satellitenamed PicoDragon (10x10x11.35 cm, 1 kg), which was launched into orbit in 2013.
As scheduled, after MicroDragon, Vietnam willmake LOTUSat-1 and LOTUSat-2 satellites with advanced radar technology, eachweighing 600kg and measuring 1.5×1.5×3 m with a 5-year lifetime in orbit.-VNA
VNA
