Vietnam plans to manufacture small-sized satellites after 2010, mainly to serve the purpose of monitoring natural resources and environmental factors for disaster prevention.

The Vietnam Science and Technology Institute has submitted to the government a scheme on producing two satellites, each of which will weigh some 100 kg and a lifespan of five years, according to local newspaper Youth on Wednesday.

Total cost for the production of the first satellite with little experience is estimated to cost Vietnam 20 million US dollars. The figure will be only 10 million dollars for the second satellite.

Earlier, Vietnam planned to launch its first communication satellite with a total investment of around 270 million dollars into orbit in 2005 to provide telephone, radio and television services to all corners of the country without topographical interference.

However, the launch of the medium-sized satellite with a lifespan of 15-20 years has recently been delayed, since Vietnam has yet to complete negotiations with relevant countries about its orbit location, and to select a satellite builder among bidders from the United States, France, Japan and Russia.