Vietnam´s NanoDragon satellite to be launched before March 2022

Hanoi, Aug 19 (Prensa Latina) The Vietnam Space Center (VNSC) has handed over its NanoDragon satellite to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at the Uchinoura Space Center´s launch site in Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan.

August 19, 2021
07:36

NanoDragon is a cubesat-class satellite, weighing about 4 kg and the 3U size (100x100x340.5 mm). It is expected to operate in a solar synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 560 kms.

The satellite was developed for the purpose of demonstrating that it is possible to use micro-satellite beam technology to receive automatic identification system (AIS) used for tracking and monitoring vehicles at sea.

Vietnam launched its first Vinasat-1 satellite to space on April 18, 2008. This satellite was manufactured in conjunction with the Lockheed Martin multinational company.

After four years, Vietnam launched the Vinasat-2, while in 2013 the VN Redsat-1 (remote sensing) and the micro satellite ‘Dragon Peak’, already fully billed in Vietnam and supported by Japan.

VNSC is currently working on two larger satellites, LOTUSat-1 and LOTUSat-2, which were designed by Japanese experts and will be assembled and piloted by Vietnamese engineers.

pgh/Pll/rgh / asg/gdc