Vietnam Space Center - A breakthrough for Vietnam’s development

PANO – The construction of Vietnam’s first Space Center started September 19^th at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Zone, a breakthrough for space science in Vietnam. Following is an interview granted by Professor Chau Van Minh, the Chairman of the Vietnam Science and Technology Institute, to a reporter from the People’s Army Newspaper on this strategic project. 

Reporter: To our understanding, space technology is the science that can conquer space for people’s benefits. Could you brief us on the exploitation possibilities of the center as well as benefits it might bring about to people, Mr. Minh? 

Professor Chau Van Minh: I can affirm that space technology would bring about great benefits to people. The hi-tech industry aims to create, monitor and apply artificial satellites, spacecraft, rockets and stations to forecast and warn people of natural disasters, as well as help them keep track of great events around the world through radio and television networks.

Reporter: We have seen advanced development of space technology in many countries. How has Vietnam prepared to develop this industry, Mr. Minh?

Professor Chau Van Minh: In 2002, the Vietnam Science and Technology Institute was commissioned to work with the Ministry of Science and Technology and relevant agencies on a strategy and plans to develop space technology in Vietnam for the cause of industrialization, modernization, sustainable socio-economic development and national security and defence.

In June, 2006, the Prime Minister approved the “Strategy to study and apply space technology by 2020” to work out targets, contents and measures for research and application of the industry by 2020. The strategy approach is to serve socio-economic development, effective natural resources management, natural disaster control and national defence, contributing to promoting Vietnam’s position in the international arena and its scientific and technical prospects and strengths. One important task is to proactively design, manufacture and launch small Earth observation satellites to forecast natural disasters, to protect natural resources and the environment, and for national defence.

Reporter: Could you be more specific and go into detail on the project to build Vietnam Space Center in the Strategy, Mr. Minh?

Professor Chau Van Minh: This 9 hectare Space Center would be built with total investment of over USD 690 million in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Zone in Thach That district, Hanoi. It is an important project in the strategy to study and apply space technology by 2020 by the National Satellite Center, under the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology.

The Space Center would be able to observe all Vietnamese territory in all weather conditions and update e-maps for land management and planning, research and climate change prevention. Vietnam also can use satellite photos for socio-economic development and national defence purposes.

Reporter: What are the specific tasks by 2015, Mr. Minh?

Professor Chau Van Minh: The Director Board of the Program in Space Science and Technology has designed a research program framework to apply data from satellite to forecast and warn people of natural disasters, to better manage resources as well as learn more about the impact of climate change and sea level rise in Vietnam, by 2015.

The completion of the center would help reduce losses caused by natural disasters.

Reporter: What are the biggest obstacles for such a modern space center in Southeast Asia, Mr. Minh?

Professor Chau Van Minh: We are confronting a lot of difficulties in carrying out the project. However, thanks to the support of the Government and Prime Minister, the construction could start on September 19^th. I think that the largest difficulty facing us is human resources, also the most important factor for the success of a project.

Reporter: What has the institute done to deal with this problem? 

Professor Chau Van Minh: Apart from sending staff to study in foreign countries, we organized domestic training programs. The Industry University, the Hanoi National University and the National Satellite Center will work together to train space technology engineers.

Reporter: Thank you very much!