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[MSD40-04] A step-by-step plan for mastering small EO satellite technologies in Vietnam
Keywords:Minisat, Micro Satellite, Vietnam Space Program
Currently, small earth observation satellites are increasingly interested and widely used. Rapid technological advancement and growing customer demand are driving the development of highly capable, affordable, and customizable small satellites. Small satellites are great tools for science missions or technology experiments because of their low cost and fast development time as well as the ability to apply new technology. This allows the user to define any task based on their own purpose.
The small satellite market is currently very active with the participation of many development organizations. Minisats have a weight less than 180 kg when launched as a secondary payload. It was initially carried out by universities as a technology experiment and educational tool. Today, the minisats becomes a common space platform for commerce and emerging space nations. The mission of this satellite is usually Earth observation and data collection. It is not difficult to buy an instrument that is space-proof and available in the market including Bus systems and payloads. This is the basis for Vietnam to develop its own satellite in the future.
Vietnam is step by step on the path to mastering satellite manufacturing technology. In 2013, Vietnam National Space Center successfully researched and manufactured PicoDragon – a pico satellite with a mass of 1 kg. This is the first "Made in Vietnam" satellite to successfully operate in space orbit. In 2019, the first 50kg satellite named MicroDragon that was designed and manufactured by Vietnamese experts and engineers under the guidance of professors of 5 leading Japanese universities (Hokkaido University, University of Tokyo, Keio University, Tohoku University, and Kyushu Institute of Technology) was launched into orbit by Epsilon rocket at Uchinoura Space Center, Japan. Next to MicroDragon was the 4 kg NanoDragon satellite, which was assembled and designed entirely in Vietnam and was launched last year. The development of a fully micro satellite in Vietnam is the next step on this path.
Vietnam's first optical sensor earth observation satellite, VNREDSat-1, was launched into orbit from 2013 with the task of monitoring natural resources, environment and natural disasters. VNREDSat-1 satellite system has been providing a large number of images, meeting the increasing demand for remote sensing satellite data in the country. However, VNREDSat-1 has been in orbit for 8 years, 3 years ahead of the design time of 5 years. Therefore, a plan to develop Vietnam's next earth observation satellite is an urgent need. This satellite will be developed, assembled and integrated in Vietnam. Its main missions will be an optical mission and self-development equipment demonstration.
The small satellite market is currently very active with the participation of many development organizations. Minisats have a weight less than 180 kg when launched as a secondary payload. It was initially carried out by universities as a technology experiment and educational tool. Today, the minisats becomes a common space platform for commerce and emerging space nations. The mission of this satellite is usually Earth observation and data collection. It is not difficult to buy an instrument that is space-proof and available in the market including Bus systems and payloads. This is the basis for Vietnam to develop its own satellite in the future.
Vietnam is step by step on the path to mastering satellite manufacturing technology. In 2013, Vietnam National Space Center successfully researched and manufactured PicoDragon – a pico satellite with a mass of 1 kg. This is the first "Made in Vietnam" satellite to successfully operate in space orbit. In 2019, the first 50kg satellite named MicroDragon that was designed and manufactured by Vietnamese experts and engineers under the guidance of professors of 5 leading Japanese universities (Hokkaido University, University of Tokyo, Keio University, Tohoku University, and Kyushu Institute of Technology) was launched into orbit by Epsilon rocket at Uchinoura Space Center, Japan. Next to MicroDragon was the 4 kg NanoDragon satellite, which was assembled and designed entirely in Vietnam and was launched last year. The development of a fully micro satellite in Vietnam is the next step on this path.
Vietnam's first optical sensor earth observation satellite, VNREDSat-1, was launched into orbit from 2013 with the task of monitoring natural resources, environment and natural disasters. VNREDSat-1 satellite system has been providing a large number of images, meeting the increasing demand for remote sensing satellite data in the country. However, VNREDSat-1 has been in orbit for 8 years, 3 years ahead of the design time of 5 years. Therefore, a plan to develop Vietnam's next earth observation satellite is an urgent need. This satellite will be developed, assembled and integrated in Vietnam. Its main missions will be an optical mission and self-development equipment demonstration.