Vietnam to Produce Small Satellites after 2010

Vietnam to Produce Small Satellites after 2010

Vietnam has a plan to manufacture small-sized satellites after 2010 to monitor natural resources, disasters and environment, said an official from the Vietnam Science & Technology Institute.

"The institute has submitted to the government a scheme on producing two small satellites, each of which will weigh some 100 kg and has a lifespan of five years," said Tran Manh Tuan, director of the institute's satellite manufacturing project.

Tuan says small satellites are suitable for Vietnam's economic situation and are easy to be launched into orbit without having to obtain an orbit license

Total cost for manufacturing and launching the first satellite will be some US$20 million and the second one US$10 million.

Earlier, Vietnam planned to launch its first communication satellite at a total cost of US$270 million into orbit in 2005 to provide telephone, radio and television services. However, the launch of the satellite has recently been delayed as Vietnam has yet to complete negotiations with relevant countries about its orbit location, and to select a satellite builder among bidders from the US, France, Japan and Russia.

• (Youth)