Satellite made by Vietnam is about to be launched into space
In mid-January 2019, the Made by Vietnam satellite will be launched into space from the Japan Space Center along with 6 other satellites.
According to information from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), on January 17, 2019, Vietnam's MicroDragon satellite (50 kg) along with 6 other Japanese satellites will be launched into orbit by the Epsilon No. 4 rocket at the Uchinoura Space Center, Japan. The expected launch time is 9 hours 50 minutes 20 seconds to 7 hours 59 minutes 37 seconds (Vietnam time).
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Made by Vietnam Satellite: MicroDragon |
The main purpose of the MicroDragon satellite is to be a tool for training and practicing the experimental manufacture of micro-satellites. The main task of the MicroDragon design is to take pictures to monitor the quality of coastal seawater, serving the fishing and aquaculture industry of Vietnam.
Previously, in 2013, the Vietnam Space Center successfully launched another satellite called PicoDragon. This is the first product of the Vietnam Space Center. It was created with the purpose of measuring satellite imaging parameters and space environment parameters.
This is the result of research by a team of domestic engineers and scientists. Because MicroDrago was developed by 36 students (research staff of the Vietnam Space Center under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) studying at 5 leading universities in Japan: Tokyo University, Keio University, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University and Kyushu Institute of Technology, under the training and guidance of professors and experts of the school from 2013 - 2017.
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Vietnam's satellite development roadmap. |
After the MicroDragon satellite, Vietnam will launch the LOTUSat-1 radar satellite in 2019, the NanoDragon satellite in early 2020 and LOTUSat-2 in 2022. This is an important component of the National Satellite Center project, not only helping to save thousands of billions of VND each year by minimizing damage caused by natural disasters.
The launch of the MicroDragon satellite into space is of great significance to Vietnam. It marks a strong turning point in the country's science, and at the same time affirms Vietnam's mastery of satellite technology. Firstly, Vietnam will not be dependent on a third party when producing satellites. Secondly, having its own satellite will help Vietnam produce satellites for many different purposes, not just Earth observation satellites, serving the purpose of warning of natural disasters and catastrophes as well as preventing climate change.
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Micro Dragon is an earth observation satellite, weighing 50kg, measuring 50 x 50 x 50 cm. After being launched into space, Micro Dragon has the mission of observing coastal waters to assess water quality, locate aquatic resources, and monitor changes in phenomena occurring in coastal waters... |
Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Space Center, said that currently, to take photos of a certain area, Vietnam has to place an order, and then receive the results after at least two days. But with its own Earth observation satellite, everything will be completed within 6-12 hours. This has helped reduce delays and not depend on third-party data.
Finally, satellite manufacturing in Vietnam will pull other technology industries such as materials, mechatronics, automation... to develop.
