VietNamNet Bridge - The launch of Vietnam’s earth observation satellite - VNREDSat 1 – has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Simulation of VNREDSat-1 satellite in space. Photo from AstriumTV clip.

"Some 20 minutes before the launch in Kourou, there was strong winds so the satellites could not be launched into orbit as scheduled," said Dr. Bui Trong Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Space Technology.

Tuyen said there is no specific date for the next launch. "If the weather tomorrow or the day after tomorrow is not nice, it means that we will have to start from the beginning for the preparation of the launch. Thus, the launch time will be calculated by months," Tuyen added.

Earlier, the launch of VNREDSat-1 satellite was scheduled at 9.06am today, May 4 (Hanoi time), with Vega rocket from the launch site in Kourou, Guiana of France.

The satellite is designed and manufactured by the EADS Astrium Company of the European Defense Aerospace Corporation (EADS,) which is specialized in manufacturing and designing satellites.

The VNREDSat-1 project has a total investment of about $70 million, using ODA loans of the French Government and reciprocal funding of Vietnam.

VNREDSat-1 is the earth observation optical satellite that can take photos of the entire areas on the earth's surface. The satellite is 600 mm x 570 mm x 500 mm in size, weighing about 120 kg. Its designed life expectancy is five years.

With this satellite, Vietnam will be able to actively provide satellite images of high resolution for local agencies, bringing practical benefits for economic - social development, responding to natural disasters and climate change.

S. Tung