Vietnam will build its own small satellites in the future



Ha Noi, Feb. 9 (VNA) -- Viet Nam will build its own small satellites in the next five or ten years.

A pre-feasibility study for the design of small satellites, weighing between 100 and 200 kg, has been done jointly since 1999 by scientists of the British Surrey Space Research Centre and the Viet Nam National Centre for Natural Science and Technology.

Purpose of the USD 20-million venture is to build small satellites for the monitoring of the country's natural resources and environment as well as forecast natural calamities.

Surry Space Research Centre Director Martin Sweeting affirmed his institution's determination to continue cooperate with Viet Nam's centre in designing and manufacturing small satellites and training scientists at a seminar in Ha Noi on Feb. 9.--VNA