Vietnam’s first homemade radar satellite to go into space
LOTUSat-1, Vietnam’s first ever indigenous weather satellite, is expected to be launched into orbit from December 2024 to February 2025, according to the Vietnam National Satellite Centre (VNSC) at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).
The fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket that carries Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – LOTUSat-1, Vietnam’s first ever indigenous weather satellite,is expected to be launched into orbit from December 2024 to February 2025, accordingto the Vietnam National Satellite Centre (VNSC) at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST).
VNSC Deputy General Director Le Xuan Huy said the570kg satellite is expected to be completed in May, withan image resolution of one metre.
Huy said radarsatellites can take pictures in all weather conditions, cloudy, foggy orlow-light, adding the ground control system for the launch will be completed bySeptember this year at the Hoa Lac hi-tech park.
In 2019, the VNSC and Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. cooperated to implement theproject "LOTUSat-1 satellite, equipment and human resources training", using official development assistance(ODA) loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In addition to satellite development, there havebeen classes to transfer radar satellite image processing technology to preparetechnology and human resources for the launch, Huy said.
According to the VAST’s Space Technology Institute, Vietnam’s first remote sensingsatellite, the VNREDSat-1, has been operating effectively since it was launchedin 2013.
The 120-kg satellitehas run for 10 straight years to assist Vietnam in addressing challenges inforest and water resources management, disaster management, urban mapping andplanning, national defence and security, and coastal zone management./.
After a decade, Vietnam’s first remote sensing satellite, the VNREDSat-1, has completed 53,000 rounds around the Earth, totaling 2.4 billion km, it was announced at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 16 to celebrate the 10th anniversary since its launch into space.
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The fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket that carries Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite. (Photo: VNA) 
