Vietnam is expected to launch its first communications satellite in March, 2008, local newspaper Vietnam Economic Times reported Tuesday.
The medium-sized satellite named "Vinasat", expected to be launched on March 28, will be handed over to the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) on April 27, 2008, to serve commercial purposes, the paper quoted sources from the state-owned group as saying.
Once coming into operation, the satellite, with a total investment of 2,885 billion Vietnamese dong (180.3 million U.S. dollars) will provide telephone, radio and television services to all corners of the country without topographical interference.
A satellite control station was established in Hoai Duc district, northern Ha Tay province and a standby one in Ben Cat district, southern Binh Duong province.
In May 2006, U.S. firm Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems won a bid to build and launch the satellite which will span its coverage over Vietnam, other Southeast Asian countries, and eastern Oceania, the newspaper said.
Now, Vietnam has to use satellite services provided by companies from Thailand, Indonesia and Russia.
"Vinasat" will be Vietnam's second space item since the country 's first astronaut took part in a Soviet space mission in 1985.
Source: Xinhua
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