VN plans to launch second satellite
VGP – According to Prof. Nguyễn Khoa Sơn, Director of the Space Science and Technology Program (Việt Nam Academy of Science and Technology), Việt Nam is programming the launch of its second satellite VNDREDSat-1 by 2012.
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Hòa Lạc Center for Space Science - Photo: VGP |
Prof. Nguyễn Khoa Sơn revealed the plan in an interview on the sideline of the 15th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF 15) taking place in Hà Nội and Hạ Long City from December 9-12.
VNDREDSat-1 will be the first satellite launched under the Small and Medium-sized Satellite Project just agreed by the PM.
This is a small 150-kg satellite to take and send photos to terrestrial centers in order to serve natural resource protection, natural calamity prevention and environmental protection.
Under the satellite project, Việt Nam plans to put into operation six small satellites. After the launch of its second satellite in 2012, Việt Nam will bring the third one into the orbit in 2020 and start to engage in satellite production, said Mr. Sơn.
“The importance is that we should train a contingent of qualified space technicians soon,” concluded the Professor.
By Nguyên Hồ
