Vietnamese satellite launches after three delays

November 09, 2021 - 10:16

NanoDragon, the first satellite made entirely by Vietnamese engineers, lifted off from the Uchinoura Space Center in Japan on Tuesday.

NanoDragon, the first satellite made entirely by Vietnamese engineers was successfully launched on Tuesday morning. VNA/VNS Photo Đào Thanh Tùng

KAGOSHIMA — NanoDragon, the first satellite made entirely by Vietnamese engineers, lifted off from the Uchinoura Space Center in Japan on Tuesday.

After three previous failed launch attempts due to a combination of bad weather and technical problems, at 7.55am local time the Epsilon 5 rocket blasted into space from the Japanese town of Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Prefecture.

On board the rocket, NanoDragon was due to separate and go into orbit at 9:07 (local time).

It is the first satellite that is researched, designed and manufactured entirely in Việt Nam.

It is 100x100x340,5mm in size and weighs 3.8kg.

The satellite is part of a national research project on space technology in 2016-2020 conducted by the Việt Nam National Space Centre (VNSC).

Previously, two other satellites were sent to orbit but they were created with the assistance of engineers from Japan.

NanoDragon was among nine satellites carried by the Epsilon 5 rocket.

The satellite is tasked with two important missions. Operating in orbit at an altitude of about 560km it will receive signals to identify vessels, through AIS (Automatic Identification System) and send the signals to the monitoring centre to check the entry and exit of vessels as well as help avoid collisions. The second mission of Nano Dragon is taking aerial photos to help scientists perfect satellite navigation systems.

The rocket measures 2.6m in diameter, 26m in length and weighs 96 tonnes. Tuesday's mission was the largest undertaken by Epsilon to date. — VNS

Foreign sailor brought ashore for emergency medical treatment

Society

Child sex trafficking ring from Việt Nam to Laos busted

Society

Việt Nam closely monitors fatal mysterious disease outbreak in DR Congo

Society

Those with disabilities need supporting in digital society, climate change challenges

Society

Hà Nội to limit polluting vehicles in pilot low-emission zones

Society

Transport ministry welcomes flying taxi initiative, calls for caution

More on this story

Society

Hà Nội's suburban districts strive to fulfil new rural development programme

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the progress of agriculture and new rural development goals of Hà Nội for the last two years. The municipal authority has instructed that all efforts be made to achieve these goals by the end of the year.

Society

HCM City district told to take preventive measures as COVID clusters emerge in families

HCM City authorities have ordered Hóc Môn District to enhance pandemic prevention measures, especially to minimise the number of severe cases and COVID-related deaths following a surge in the number of cases in recent weeks.

Society

Large field production model helps Ninh Thuận farmers reap higher incomes

Agricultural production has been increasing in the south-central province of Ninh Thuận in recent years, thanks to the innovative Large Field Model (LFM).

Society

Young village leaders usher in new prosperity in Tuyên Quang Province

Some of the youngest village leaders in Tuyên Quang Province are proving to be the most successful at pulling their villages out of poverty and ushering in a new age of prosperity, thanks to the innovative new styles of business that they have promoted.

Society

Traceability of goods key to enhancing Vietnamese products

The traceability of goods, including transparency on origin, is key to building consumer trust and expanding Vietnamese goods in foreign markets, said Đinh Hoàng Linh, Deputy General Director of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality.