VNREDSat-1 - an important milestone in Vietnam's space technology development

VNREDSat-1, Vietnam's first remote sensing satellite, is an important milestone in the country's space technology development, said French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery at a scientific conference on May 16 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the successful launch of VNREDSat-1.

VNREDSat-1 is a typical example of very successful cooperation between France and Vietnam in space and satellites, said Nicolas Warnery, stressing that it symbolizes the friendship between the two countries.

VNREDSat-1, Vietnam’s first earth observation satellite. Photo: The Vietnam Space Technology Institute

"The French government looks forward to continuing to work with Vietnam in this strategic field, sharing skills and expertise by training young scientists and researchers and transferring technology to Vietnam so that the country can build an integrated space industry," the Ambassador added.

The anniversary conference was jointly held by the Vietnam Space Technology Institute (VSTI) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the French Embassy in Vietnam, and Airbus Group - a partner of VSTI in the development of VNREDSat-1.

This activity celebrates Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18), the 48th anniversary of the founding of VAST (May 20, 1975-2023), and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France.

For her part, Hoang Tri Mai, General Director of Airbus in Vietnam, stressed that Airbus Corporation is very proud to be a partner in this important Vietnamese space project.

"The VNREDSat-1 satellite has actively contributed to disaster prevention and mitigation efforts in the ASEAN region and the world. We look forward to accompanying Vietnam in its space development for the next decades," said Mai.

Exhibition of photos taken by VNREDSat-1 satellite within the framework of the conference. Photo: The VIST

Dr. Bui Trong Tuyen, Director of VIST, presented scientific reports highlighting the efficiency of operation, utilization, and application of the VNREDSat-1 system, as well as the contributions of VNREDSat-1 to research and application of space science and technology.

"Over the past ten years, the VNREDSat-1 satellite system has fulfilled its role as Vietnam's first Earth observation satellite system. To date, the VNREDSat-1 satellite has orbited the Earth more than 45,000 times and taken nearly 160,000 images (including more than 85,000 of Vietnam's territorial waters), contributing to environmental resource management, scientific research, and education, support for sustainable socio-economic development, and national defense and security," Tuyen said.

He added that engineers from VIST's Small Satellite Control and Operation Center improved and mastered the VNREDSat-1 system to troubleshoot specific operations to achieve this remarkable result. Specifically, they made 30 calculations on the orbit of the VNREDSat-1 satellite to avoid collisions with space debris, calibrated satellite imaging equipment, and upgraded software.

An image from VNREDSat-1 satellite. Photo: The VIST

According to the analysis of French experts and consultation with regular customers, the photos taken by VNREDSat-1 still ensure quality and efficiency after ten years. The successful operation of the VNREDSat-1 system has provided valuable satellite data for Vietnam, contributing to the successful management of natural resources and scientific research and supporting sustainable socio-economic development and national sovereignty protection.

"This is an encouragement for the engineers at the Small Satellite Control and Operation Center to continue their efforts to ensure the safe operation of the VNREDSat-1 system," Tuyen said, stressing that the maturity of the engineers is a premise for high-quality human resources to acquire technology and use satellite systems in the future.

VNREDSat-1 was launched on May 7, 2013, making Vietnam one of 25 countries in the world with its earth observation satellite.