LOTUSat-1 satellite is made in Japan
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of the Vietnam Space Center (VNSC), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, said that according to plan, the LOTUSat-1 satellite was launched into orbit in February 2025, but now it has to be postponed and there is no specific schedule.
The reason is that the Epsilon-S rocket test launch on November 26, 2024 failed. Japan is considering whether to continue using the Epsilon-S after fixing it or switching to another type of rocket.
The Vietnam Space Center is coordinating with Japanese partners to determine a new launch date, ensuring the satellite operates stably after launch as soon as possible.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, a team of Vietnamese engineers and experts has been sent to Japan to monitor the entire process of designing, assembling and testing the satellite in a simulated environment, from the launch stage to operations in space.
These are key steps to receive and gradually master the technology, a valuable opportunity for the Vietnam Space Center to gain practical experience in large-scale industrial production and improve specialized knowledge.
In Vietnam, the ground system was built at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, Hanoi, including a 9.3 m diameter ground antenna for signal reception, a control center, satellite operations, and a satellite data processing center. The Vietnam Space Center has received technology from Japan to operate this system.
Previously, in 2019, the Vietnam Space Center and Sumitomo Corporation (Japan) signed the contract for the "LOTUSat-1 satellite, equipment and human resource training" package under the Vietnam Space Center Project. This is the first earth observation satellite project coordinated by a Japanese company using ODA loans under the special terms for economic partnership (STEP) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The LOTUSat-1 satellite weighs about 600 kg, using the latest radar technology with many advantages such as detecting objects from 1m in size on the ground, the ability to observe both day and night. LOTUSat-1 can operate in all weather and climate conditions. This is especially meaningful in Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general due to the tropical climate characteristics that are covered by clouds and fog most of the time.
Satellite image data will contribute to meeting the demand for image sources, providing accurate information, in order to respond to and minimize the impact of natural disasters and climate change, manage natural resources and monitor the environment...
In recent times, the Vietnamese space industry has achieved certain results such as: Launching 2 telecommunication satellites VINASAT, 1 earth observation satellite VNREDSat and self-developing 3 small satellites (PicoDragon, NanoDragon and MicroDragon)...
According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, space technology is a high-tech field that is considered a "symbol of technological strength and high-tech competitiveness" of each country in the world.
Outer space needs to be identified as one of the five spaces (land, airspace, sea, cyberspace and outer space) that Vietnam needs to master to protect national interests.
Therefore, in the future, Vietnam needs to be proactive in space technology, especially satellite technology, gradually mastering satellite manufacturing technology, proactively manufacturing and developing key equipment in satellites to help master our "eyes and ears" in orbit.../.
Source: https://mic.gov.vn/ve-tinh-radar-dau-tien-cua-viet-nam-lotusat-1-san-sang-len-quy-dao-197250307091035357.htm
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