Nation to launch second satellite
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| A satellite monitoring station at Que Duong Satellite Information Centre in Ha Noi's Hoai Duc District. The nation's second satellite will be sent into orbit on May 16.— VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung |
HA NOI — Viet Nam will send its second satellite into orbit on May 16, said Bui Quoc Viet, director of the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) information centre.
According to its investor, VNPT, after the first one, VINASAT-1, launched in 2008, VINASAT-2 is to promote Viet Nam's telecommunications market to meet the requirements of clients, maintain orbital positions and build upon existing VINASAT-1 infrastructure, which is running out of its capacity
The US$300 million satellite, constructed by US-based Lockheed Martin, will boost local expertise and further develop Viet Nam's satellite communications technology as well as communication amongst fishermen at sea, weather forecasts and defence security.
The new satellite has a larger capacity, greater weight, greater number of sensor responses, and higher bandwidth capacity. The VINASAT-2 will focus on the Ku-band transponders, which provide radio, television and telephone transmission services for all of Viet Nam and other parts of the Southeast Asia region.
The new satellite, with a life expectancy of 15 years, will be launched on an Ariane 5 or Soyuz launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Centre at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. — VNS