Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite launched into outer space

Previously, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had to stop launching Epsilon-5 thrice on October 1, October 7 and November 7 due to ground radar issue, and unfavorable weather.

Epsilon-5 rocket carrying Vietnam's NanoDragon satellite launched into outer space

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam, who was present at the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture to witness the launch, said, “I was touched when witnessing the moment the Epsilon-5 rocket at the Uchinoura Space Center was launched, carrying Vietnam's NanoDragon satellite into outer space.”

This moment has gone into history and marked a new development milestone of Vietnam's space industry, Nam said.

At the Uchinoura Space Center

According to the JAXA, the satellites launched into outer space this time are part of JAXA's second "Innovative satellite technology demonstration" program. After about 52 minutes, Epsilon-5 will begin dropping the nine satellites into orbit. NanoDragon is the last satellite to be released into outer space after leaving the ground 1 hour, 11 minutes and 38 seconds.

NanoDragon, a nano-layer cubesat satellite which weighs around four kilograms, was developed by the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The development of the NanoDragon satellite is part of VNSC's "made in Vietnam" small satellite development road-map.

It was delivered to Japan on August 11 and tested at the Uchinoura Space Center from August 16-17 before being officially transferred to the JAXA for launching under the second "Innovative satellite technology demonstration" program.

Source: VNA