Prior to the hand-over, JAXA had conducted final tests on August 16-17 concerning the satellite’s shape, size and functions to ensure safety for the upcoming launch into outer space.

A staff member of the Vietnam National Space Centre works on the NanoDragon satellite.

As scheduled, NanoDragon will be launched into orbit at a height of 560 kilometres from the Earth surface later this year.

NanoDragon, a nano-layer CubeSat satellite which weighs approximately 4kg, is the product of a project to design, manufacture, launch and test the operation of a nano-sized microsatellite under the national space science and technology programme in the 2016-2020 period.

The process of researching, designing, integrating, and testing the satellite’s functions was carried out entirely in Vietnam by VNSC researchers (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology).

The development of NanoDragon is part of the VNSC’s roadmap to develop made-in-Vietnam microsatellites, aiming to implement the space science and technology development and application strategy until 2030, as approved by the Prime Minister on February 4, 2021.

According to VNSC General Director Pham Anh Tuan, the NanoDragon research, design and manufacturing team include the experienced scientists who have participated in Vietnam’s previous two satellite projects PicoDragon and MicroDragon. Some of the members were involved in three to four tests of other satellites while studying in Japan.

Vietnamese scientists are expecting that the NanoDragon satellite will be able to perform well in the task of collecting automatic sensor signals and transmitting them to stations on Earth. If a network of more satellites is implemented in the near future, such data can bring practical applications in service of national socio-economic development.

Prior to NanoDragon, the VNSC successfully developed the 1kg microsatellite PicoDragon and the 50kg satellite MicroDragon, which were launched into orbit in 2013 and 2019, respectively. In addition, the LOTUSat-1 satellite, manufactured by Japan through a VNSC project, is expected to be put into orbit in late 2023, becoming Vietnam’s first radar Earth observation satellite. These are encouraging successes for the country’s young space science and technology industry.

Vingroup receives mRNA Covid-19 vaccine production technology

Conglomerate Vingroup has signed an agreement with Arcturus Therapeutics medicines biotechnology company of the US on the transfer of Covid-19 vaccine production technology.

Digital technology application to bring history closer to young public

As one of the relic sites pioneering the creation of attractive tourist products for the public, the Hoa Lo Prison Relic's Management Board held an exhibition entitled “Lighting the fire of love” on July 27.

Vietnam signs three Covid-19 vaccine technology transfer contracts

Vietnam has signed technology transfer contracts related to Covid-19 vaccines with partners from Russia, the US, and Japan, said Nguyen Ngo Quang, Deputy Director of the Health Ministry’s Department for Science, Technology and Training, on July 27.

Russia considers transferring vaccine production technology to Vietnam

Russia is considering transferring technology for the production of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam, President of the Russian Federal Council (upper house) Valentina Ivanovna has said.

Demonstrating drone technology to spray pesticides

(BGO) - On the morning of August 16, in Bien Dong commune, Luc Ngan district (Bac Giang province), the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the People's Committee of Luc Ngan district held a workshop to demonstrate the technology of spraying pesticides by drone.

Source: NDO