Groundbreaking of Space Center - A turning point in Vietnam's space science industry

On September 19, the project to build the Vietnam Space Center was officially launched at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, Hanoi. This is a turning point for Vietnam's space research industry.

Model of Vietnam Space Center. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The project is particularly important in the country's strategy for research and application of space technology.

Playing a particularly important role in the “Strategy for research and application of space technology to 2020”, the Vietnam Space Center carries out important tasks including: mastering technology and self-manufacturing small earth observation satellites, capable of observing the entire territory of Vietnam in all weather conditions using modern radar technology; building and processing satellite data to serve the monitoring and early warning of natural disasters and environmental disasters; early forecasting of agricultural output, seafood resources, updating electronic map systems for land management and planning; researching and preventing global climate change.

The Vietnam Space Center has a total investment of 54 billion yen from preferential ODA capital from the Japanese Government and counterpart capital from the Vietnamese Government. The unit implementing and receiving this national key project is the Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

The project is built on an area of ​​nearly 9 hectares and is invested synchronously in 3 components, including technical infrastructure and equipment; technology reception and transfer; human resource training.

Regarding technical infrastructure and equipment, the project will invest in building a small satellite assembly, integration and testing center; satellite signal receiving station; research and deployment center; education and training center; operating area, space museum, and observatory.

The technology transfer receiving section will receive and manufacture two small earth observation satellites with modern high-resolution radar technology, applying satellite image data.

About 350 highly qualified scientists, experts and managers in the field of space technology will be trained in the third component of the project.

Representatives of Vietnam and Japan pressed the button to start the project. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The first step of Vietnam - Japan strategic cooperation in the field of space technology
In his congratulatory letter to the groundbreaking ceremony of this important project, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan emphasized: “The Vietnam Space Center Project is a national key project with synchronous investment and is so far one of the largest investment projects in the field of science and technology in Vietnam in the past 35 years. The Government will create favorable conditions for the project to be implemented on schedule, making an important contribution to the implementation of the Strategy for research and application of space technology until 2020... The project is also the first step for strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the field of space technology”.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Yasuaki Tanizaki, Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam, emphasized the special importance of the project in enhancing the cooperative relationship between the two countries in the field of science and technology in general, and the field of space research in particular.

“This is a completely different project from the ODA projects that Japan has implemented in Vietnam. Previously, Japan mainly provided ODA for infrastructure projects such as airports, roads, bridges, and ports, but this time it is a special high-tech project,” said Mr. Yasuaki Tanizaki.

As a key investment project, creating a core foundation for implementing research, training, application and international cooperation activities in the field of space technology in the country, the Vietnam Space Center will contribute to the successful implementation of the goals of the strategy and plan for developing space technology in Vietnam to promote research and application, bringing space technology to practically and effectively serve the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country.

According to (Chinhphu.vn)-LT