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Vietnam’s first Space Centre

Vietnam’s space ambition: master satellite tech
Updated : Sat, September 22, 2012,10:08 AM (GMT+0700) | tuoi tre

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Pham Anh Tuan, director of the Vietnam National Satellite Center, said Vietnam’s first space center, expected to be built by 2020, will help the country produce its own satellites and launch them from inside Vietnam.

He also hopes the US$700 million center can cooperate with Japanese side to form a chain to supply technological solutions to neighboring countries in the future.

* Vietnam has had two satellites launched, all from outside nation

* Vietnam hopes to produce its own satellites and launch them from inside the country

* The space center - to be finished in 2020 - will cost US$700 million, mainly from Japan ODA

Following is an interview by the government news portal chinhphu.vn and Dr. Tuan in Vietnamese. Tuoi Tre News would like to introduce it in English.

Reporter: The space center is a huge hi-tech project that was prepared in a very short time. Can you tell us more about the preparation?

Prof. Dr. Tuan:

In 2008, when the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology proposed the project, the government supported it. Shortly after, during trips to Japan, Prime Minister and deputy Prime Ministers many times proposed the project to the Japanese government. I would like to emphasize that this is a very special project in that it is a hi-tech one using ODA (Official Development Assistance) funds.

In September 2009 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his trip to Japan officially informed the Japanese Prime Minister of Vietnam’s plan. In May, 2010, deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan visited a space center in Japan to learn about its model and operation.

In October 2010, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung continued to propose to Japan to assist Vietnam in the project, followed by many visits by both sides over this issue.

At home, the Ministry of Planning and Investment assessed the project’s feasibility and listed it as among projects to be prioritized for ODA investment.

This space center plan can be said to be a breakthrough in ODA projects for both Japan and Vietnam.

What will Vietnam’s first Space Center. once completed in 2020, do?

According to Vietnam’s space strategy till 2020, by that time, we will be able to produce by ourselves small earth-observing satellites. This is also the first mission for the future Space Center. When we have satellites, we will use images from them to apply in everyday life.

The second mission is to build and handle satellite data to monitor and issue warnings of natural calamities, forecast agricultural, seafood production, update electronic maps for land management and zoning, do research on climate change, among others.

Currently, if we want to have a satellite image, we must place orders in advance. We only obtain the image after over 2 days. But if we have this center, everything will be done in six hours.

Besides, we would reduce damages to human lives and properties by a great deal with those warnings from the Space Center.

The third mission is to train experts. In the near future, we will send over 70 state employees to Japan to study satellite technology and application.

Do we have other bigger ambitions?

Our ambition is to master the technology of designing, producing, and operating satellites, all in Vietnam by Vietnamese experts.

In the future, our center can cooperate with the Japanese side to form a chain to supply technological solutions to neighboring countries.

Compared to neighboring countries, how would our future space center stand up?

The ambition of mastering space belongs to all countries on earth. But by 2020, we will own a leading space center in Southeast Asia [expected to be the most modern in that region].

Many countries in the region have invested in this area but our investment is methodical and synchronized. For example, Thailand is strong in application while Malaysia concentrates on developing small satellites.

What are the project’s important timelines?

The Japanese side has promised to stick by the roadmap and is committed to finishing basic construction works by 2016 as a platform to launch the first satellite in early 2017.

This satellite will be designed and produced in Japan.

After that, a second satellite will be made. This time, it will be designed and assembled in Vietnam, right in this space center. By the end of 2020, this made-in-Vietnam satellite will be finished to be launched into orbit.

By now, I believe money is not the issue. With strong commitments from both governments, I strongly believe the project will be carried out as planned.

This year, we have sent 24 employees to attend short courses on project management. In the next 3 years, there will be 36 engineers to receive graduate training in satellite technology at 5 Japanese universities and another 32 engineers to receive training in satellite technology application.

I assert we are completely confident in operating the future space center.


VITA
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan

Director, Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC)
Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
tuan.jpg


Dr. Pham Anh Tuan received his Ph.D. from the Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany. He is the Director of the Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). His research projects include Manufacturing Flight Model, as well as testing and launching pico-satellites in orbit. He currently directs the Project Management Unit of the Vietnam Space Center Project at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.

Co-Dean of the Aerospace Engineering Faculty of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi
Head of the Aerospace Engineering Department, College of Technology, Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU)
Chairman of the Project Management Unit of Vietnam Space Center Project
Secretary General of the Vietnam Mechatronics Association (VMA)

Contact: patuan(at)vnsc.org.vn
 
The Japanese side has promised to stick by the roadmap and is committed to finishing basic construction works by 2016 as a platform to launch the first satellite in early 2017.
It'd better to have support from German's space tech,too. VN had a very good relationship with East German during Soviet era.
 
Who would launch these satellites for Vietnam? Or you mean that Vietnam will develop its own launch vehicles?
 
Who would launch these satellites for Vietnam? Or you mean that Vietnam will develop its own launch vehicles?

Yeap, we will do it by ourshelves.This plan started from Soviet era but was cancelled due to Soviet collapse, now, it's time for us to restart it, dude :mps:
 
Yuh we will develop and lauch satellites from our Space Centre, hopefully in 8 years from now. Launch vehicles will come from joined development from Japan and Vietnam.

I think, the plan is very ambitious. We will see.
 
It'd better to have support from German's space tech,too. VN had a very good relationship with East German during Soviet era.

Yeh! would be great if we can also cooperate with the european Arianespace as well as Russian Space Agency. I am not too sure about China, whether they will do something with us.
 
Yeh! would be great if we can also cooperate with the european Arianespace as well as Russian Space Agency. I am not too sure about China, whether they will do something with us.

China always put some spy chips into her devices, so it's unsecured to cooperate with her. Russia-India-Japan-German are enough for our space program
 
China always put some spy chips into her devices, so it's unsecured to cooperate with her. Russia-India-Japan-German are enough for our space program
much agree.they are the best philanthropists on earth..Vietnam has become the most lucky country in world,since there is not a similar precedent so far.Congratulations,VN!!!!
 
much agree.they are the best philanthropists on earth..Vietnam has become the most lucky country in world,since there is not a similar precedent so far.Congratulations,VN!!!!


You mean ironic, I believe.
 
No disrespect, I make a further inference based on the viewpoint of you and your friend.Cooperation is based on equality.what can you give your partners?Labor force,money or technology?If they get nothing,why would they help you?
 
No disrespect, I make a further inference based on the viewpoint of you and your friend.Cooperation is based on equality.what can you give your partners?Labor force,money or technology?If they get nothing,why would they help you?
Soviet gave full support to VietNam bcz we are the only one in East and South East Asia who can stop China's invasion and power expansion to the South and it's the same reason why Russia-Japan support VN now.

If china attack Senkaku isl, then it's a good time for us to attack china in SCS(east sea) or even Malacca by our Kilos.So, if you're threatened by china, then supporting VN will be the best choice to counter that big bad boy :P

They support us high tech, then we provide them with the security in the region, that win-win solution, dude:P
 
Soviet gave full support to VietNam bcz we are the only one in East and South East Asia who can stop China's invasion and power expansion to the South and it's the same reason why Russia-Japan support VN now.

If china attack Senkaku isl, then it's a good time for us to attack china in SCS(east sea) or even Malacca by our Kilos.So, if you're threatened by china, then supporting VN will be the best choice to counter that big bad boy :P

They support us high tech, then we provide them with the security in the region, that win-win solution, dude:P

humorous answers and full of fantasy of war.I give up rebuttal so as not to hurt your self-esteem.it really really brings happiness to me.:smitten:太有喜感了,我笑喷了
 
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