Article Posted on : - Aug 03, 2010

An artistic impression of VNREDSat-1 satellite.

TOULOUSE (BNS): Astrium has signed a 55.2 million euros ($71.8 million) contract with Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) for the development and launch of an Earth observation optical satellite system.

The satellite VNREDSat-1 will be developed under an inter-governmental agreement on space co-operation between France and Vietnam.

Under the contract, Astrium will develop an optical satellite system, which will be capable of capturing images with a resolution of 2.5 metres, the associated ground control, image receiving and processing stations and a co-operation and training programme for the Vietnamese engineers, Astrium said.

The contract awarded by VAST – the national institution responsible for setting up Vietnam’s Earth observation space programme – relates to the Vietnam Natural Resources, Environment and Disaster Monitoring Satellite VNREDSat-1 and the corresponding ground systems.

The satellite will study the effects of climate change, predict and take measures to prevent natural disasters, and optimise the management of its natural resources. It will also help to develop space engineering technology in Vietnam.

The Europe's Arianespace consortium of Evry, France has schedule the launch of VNREDSat-1 satellite by 2013.