VietNamNet Bridge – A project to build a space technology research and development centre at the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, Hanoi is now being researched.

The model of Hoa Lac Space Technology Centre.

According to a workshop introducing JETRO consulting group’s report on this project, held in Hanoi on Thursday, the total capital for this project totals US $350 million, coming from Japan’s ODA sources. The project will be implemented from now until 2017.

The Hoa Lac Space Technology Centre will be built on 9 ha. of land in the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, 30 km from Hanoi’s centre. The centre will have a space technology operating zone, a small satellite assembly and testing zone, an astronomic station, a research and training zone and a land station to receive data from satellites.

Japanese experts will help Vietnam manufacture a small satellite and apply remote sensing technology to serve economic and social development, as well as defense.

According to Taka Mashikawa, from the JETRO consulting group, the Hoa Lac Space Technology Centre will have the most modern equipment. Thanks to this centre, Vietnam can cut 10% of their losses that are caused by natural calamity, according to the Japanese expert. The centre can also help supervise oil spills, forest fires, and prevent the illegal exploitation of timber.

Besides supervising disasters and managing natural resources, the centre can help Vietnam develop sci-tech and supporting industries.

Dr. Dang Vu Minh, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Science and Technology, Director of the Institute for Space Technology, said the Institute and JETRO experts are still working on the feasibility report of this project. The report will be submitted to the Vietnamese and Japanese governments in late 2008.

Quang Hanh