The Government will offer all possible support to Vietnamese scientists and engineers to develop space technology, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a working session on the manufacturing and launch of Vietnam’s MicroDragon satellite in Ha Noi on 21 January.

MicroDragon satellite before launch (Source: VNA)

Viet Nam’s MicroDragon satellite has been tested as working normally after being launched into space by Japan’s Epsilon rocket on January 18, as was reported to the PM at the working session.

The MicroDragon is part of a project on disaster and climate change preparation using satellites for observation of planet Earth.

Speaking at the event, the PM said the satellite is the result of great efforts by the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Viet Nam National Space Centre, under the direction of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

He also lauded the Japanese Government, research institutes, and universities for supporting Viet Nam in this new field, laying an important foundation for space technology development in the future.

The leader expressed his delight that Vietnamese engineers were able to master the technology and are now ready to manufacture satellites that weigh below 50kg.

He added that the result has affirmed Viet Nam’s space sovereignty in the digital era and its capacity in satellite design and manufacturing.

He asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to promptly submit a project on building an outer space control station, while asking that the VAST pay further attention to workforce training towards manufacturing larger-scale satellites in the country.

The VAST was also required to implement the space technology development strategy in the near future.

The launch of the MicroDragon satellite took place at 7:50am (Ha Noi time) at Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

The MicroDragon was developed by 36 Vietnamese engineers from the National Space Centre with the help of Japanese experts. The engineers were all sent to study space technology at five top universities in Japan between 2013 and 2017.

The satellite is tasked with observing coastal areas to assess water quality, locate fishery resources, and monitor changes in coastal waters to serve Viet Nam’s aquaculture industry.

(Source: VNA)