Vietnam will be the leading modern space center in ASEAN December 21, 2011

At the conference summarizing the Space Science and Technology Program for the period 2008-2011 organized by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology on December 20, the reporter had an interview with Professor Chau Van Minh, President of the Institute, about the developments in the field of space science and technology in Vietnam.

- How does the Professor evaluate the results of the implementation of the "Strategy for research and application of space technology to 2020" approved by the Prime Minister in 2006 by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology?

Design model of Vietnam Space Center in Hoa Lac. (Source: Internet)

Professor Chau Van Minh: Space science and technology is a high-tech, multidisciplinary field and is a measure of national science and technology. The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has made strong progress in implementing the Space Science and Technology Program under the "Strategy for Research and Application of Space Technology to 2020".

In the field of satellite technology, the Institute has been implementing the small satellite project for observing natural resources, environment and natural disasters (VNRedsat-1) using technology and ODA capital from the French Republic; the small satellite project for observing natural resources, environment and natural disasters VNRedsat-1B using hyperspectral technology with ODA capital from the Kingdom of Belgium.

In particular, the Institute has implemented a number of steps to build the Vietnam Space Center at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park using ODA capital from the Japanese Government (about 600 million USD and 1,100 billion VND in counterpart funds).

The work to be implemented includes facilities, technical equipment and 2 modern radar technology satellites to observe Vietnam in all weather conditions as well as highly qualified human resources so that Vietnam can manufacture satellites itself to achieve the goals of the strategy. This is a project of special importance in implementing the Vietnam Science and Technology Strategy to 2020, vision 2030 and Vietnam will be the leading modern space center of ASEAN.

To carry out the above tasks, the Government has established the National Satellite Center, under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Currently, the unit has deployed some initial activities.

- Professor, what preparations has the Institute made for training highly qualified staff to serve the field of space science and technology?

Professor Chau Van Minh: Training young cadres for the space science and technology sector is a very important part in building Vietnam's space science and technology potential. Currently, the unit has sent a number of young cadres to study in countries cooperating with Vietnam. Initially, 15 cadres have studied in France. I hope that this first batch of cadres will be the key human resource for the country's space science and technology sector.

In the cooperation program with Belgium and Japan, there are also projects to train highly qualified human resources to serve the Space Science and Technology Strategy. In addition, domestic universities and the Hanoi University of Science and Technology (under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) also have training programs in the field of aerospace.

-Currently, there are a number of private enterprises implementing small satellite research programs with clear financial motivations and incentives. So what is the Institute's orientation, Professor?

Professor Chau Van Minh: Currently, scientists and policy makers are using satellite images purchased from abroad. When Vietnam has its own satellite, it will be self-sufficient in image sources. The Institute will utilize these image sources to serve socio-economic development, while aiming to generate revenue to serve scientific research and training of highly qualified staff.

-Can you tell us the specific goals for the field of space science and technology in the near future?

Professor Chau Van Minh: According to the Space Technology Development Strategy to 2020, Vietnam will master the technology of manufacturing small satellites. Specifically, by 2014, the VNRedsat-1 Earth observation satellite will be launched into orbit and put into stable operation.

In the coming time, the Institute will continue to exploit the remote sensing database for many sectors; organize the management and exploitation of the ground information network to serve socio-economic development and national security and defense. In addition, the Institute will focus on acquiring technology and effectively exploiting the space technical infrastructure formed through a number of major projects such as the ground station project for remote sensing satellite images, the Vinasat project, and the Vietnam Earth observation satellite project./.

According to Vietnam+