VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam hopes to lead ASEAN in satellite development in the coming decades, Dr Pham Anh Tuan, director of the Viet Nam Satellite Centre, told the Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper.

Illustrative image. – File photo

Will the Viet Nam Satellite Centre (VNSC) function like USA's NASA or Japan's JAXA when its construction is completed?

The Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) thought of establishing the VNSC in 2007 after the Prime Minister approved a national research and development for space technology.

Work on the centre is underway at the Lang Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, some 40km from Ha Noi. Funds for the centre's construction comes from two main sources: Japanese ODA (over US$600 million) and government's counterpart contribution. We expect the centre to open in 2020 as scheduled.

Viet Nam's strategy for space technology development has two main objectives: the first is that by 2020, Viet Nam will be able to design, integrate and test small satellites orbiting the earth; the second is to collect and process data sent back from the satellites in order to provide timely information about natural disasters like floods and storms, and assist with climate change adaptation.

For this, the centre needs to investment in three components at the same time - technical infrastructure, technology transfer, and human resources development.

According to the plan, following the launch of micro satellite "PicoDragon" in 2013, the VNSC will improve its technological capabilities and launch its first commercial satellite by 2020. Is this feasible?

Yes, it is feasible.

The PicoDragon we sent is programmed to capture images of the earth, collect space environment data and test communication systems. Weighing nearly one kg, it was developed by young engineers and researchers of the centre.

In 2016, a NanoDragon weighing 10kg will be launched into space and a 50kg MicroDragon will be launched into space by 2020.

To make sure everything is done on schedule, the centre has worked hard on all fronts, including building infrastructure and training human resources so as to absorb new technology.

How can we focus on developing space and aviation technology when our electronics, communications or engineering industries have not fully developed yet?

Every country adopts a different approach to technological development. Our strategy, which I think is most suitable for us, is to understand a technology first and apply it ourselves.

When we talk about a "made-in-Viet Nam" satellite, it should be understood that it has been designed by Vietnamese engineers. Some of its spare parts are imported and some are made in Viet Nam. But, the most important step, assembling, is done here in Viet Nam.

The first telecommunications satellite VINASAT-1 was successfully launched on April 19, 2008. It marked a turning point in the development of Viet Nam's telecommunications and information technology sector. It has also served as a base for further research and launching of more satellites.

Then, four years later, in 2012, the ground breaking ceremony for constructing VNSC was launched. Then a year later, we successfully launched the PicoDragon.

Can you tell us a bit more about satellite images of our natural resources as also how they help in natural disaster prevention and mitigation?

So far we have been very active in conducting research and applying satellite technology to serve daily life.

For example, we have used satellite images to assess damage caused by storms and other natural disasters. We have also developed the mathematical models to evaluate the impacts of climate change and other phenomena.

The centre plans to research satellite application in surveillance and early natural disaster warning, including forest fires, flooding, land slides, oil spills and others. It will also expand its international co-operation, particularly with countries in the region.

Can you talk a bit about co-operation in the production chain for Japanese commercial satellites?

No, it is not in the production chain for Japanese commercial satellites. The plan is to share satellite images among countries in the region towards gaining early warnings of natural disasters. For example, our centre is preparing to join the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellites System (QZSS). The Japanese QZSS uses multiple satellites that have the same orbital period as geostationary satellites with some orbital inclinations - their orbits are known as "Quasi-Zenith Orbits".

These satellites are placed in multiple orbital planes, so that one satellite always appears near the zenith above the region of Japan. The system makes it possible to provide high accuracy satellite positioning services covering close to 100 per cent of Japan, including urban canyon and mountain terrain.

How is VNSC developing the human resources it needs?

I should say that human resources development is the most important part of developing satellite technology in Viet Nam. They are trained at home and abroad, in countries like Japan, South Korea and Germany.

The centre has sent about 100 people to Japan for further training in the application and management of satellite. As of now, up to 60 per cent of VNSC staff are under 30 years old.

We hope that by 2020, when the VNSC project is completed, our satellite technology will rank first in ASEAN.

Hanoimoi/VNS