In the past decade, Vietnam’s first remote sensing satellite has orbited the Earth more than 53,000 times and provided nearly 160,000 images, aiding in disaster management, mapping, urban planning, and national defense.
This information was shared by Professor Châu Văn Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, during the 10th anniversary celebration of the successful launch of the VNREDSat-1 satellite, held on the morning of May 16 in Hanoi.
He noted that the VNREDSat-1 Earth observation satellite, successfully launched into orbit on May 7, 2013, marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s space technology development strategy.
Since its mission began, the VNREDSat-1 has completed over 53,000 orbits around the Earth, providing nearly 160,000 images covering Vietnam’s territories and maritime areas as well as other parts of the world. This satellite has enabled Vietnam to proactively monitor natural resources, the environment, and disasters from afar, gradually applying scientific and technological advancements in monitoring and asserting territorial sovereignty.
Professor Châu Văn Minh speaks at the celebration on May 16. (Photo: Information and Documentation Center (VAST))
According to Professor Châu Văn Minh, the 10 years of VNREDSat-1’s operation in orbit (double its expected lifespan) is a testament to the advanced technology from France, as well as an indication of the effective transfer and reception during the maintenance and operation of the satellite by Vietnam.
He believes that in the new era of New Space/Space 4.0 technology, the application of space technology will expand into many future fields, providing direct applications and solutions for users rather than purely focusing on technological development as before. He emphasizes the importance of participation from various sectors, scientists, research institutions, technology corporations, and countries.
Dr. Bùi Trọng Tuyên, Director of the Space Technology Institute, which oversaw the VNREDSat-1 project, stated that the satellite was initially designed with an expected lifespan of 5 years. As of now, the satellite has exceeded its projected operational lifespan by more than double.
Dr. Bùi Trọng Tuyên reports on the operation status of VNREDSat-1. (Photo: Information and Documentation Center (VAST))
Dr. Tuyên shared that in its 10 years in orbit, VNREDSat-1 has traveled 2.4 billion kilometers, maintaining stable orbital parameters such as an altitude of 680 km, an inclination angle of 98.1 degrees, and a local time at the descending node of 10:32. The satellite has undergone 56 orbital adjustments, including 2 major corrections and 15 collision avoidance maneuvers, with the remainder being technical adjustments. “The fuel level on VNREDSat-1 is at 2kg, compared to 4.3kg at the start of its operation, which will be sufficient for the next few years,” he noted.
He emphasized that the successful launch of VNREDSat-1 is significant, contributing to Vietnam’s efforts to address challenges in forest and water resource management, disaster management, mapping, urban planning, national security, and coastal area management.
In his remarks at the celebration, the French Ambassador to Vietnam, Nicolas Warnery, described VNREDSat-1 as a prime example of successful cooperation in the field of space and satellite technology between the two governments. “The exceptional lifespan of VNREDSat-1 is a testament to the quality of satellites branded by France,” he stated. France looks forward to continuing cooperation with Vietnam in strategic areas, sharing skills, training young scientists and researchers, and transferring technology.
French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery (left) and Professor Châu Văn Minh view images captured by the VNREDSat-1 satellite. (Photo: Information and Documentation Center (VAST))
VNREDSat-1 is Vietnam’s first optical Earth observation satellite, capable of capturing images of all areas on the Earth’s surface. The satellite was designed and manufactured by EADS Astrium, France, measuring 600 mm x 570 mm x 500 mm and weighing approximately 120 kg. It was successfully launched into orbit on May 7, 2013, from the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.
This event was organized by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, in cooperation with the French Embassy in Vietnam and Airbus Group, to celebrate Vietnam Science and Technology Day on May 18 and the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (May 20, 1975 – May 20, 2023).
