Work on the first Viet Nam-France satellite officially began yesterday with a ceremony in Ha Noi to announce that preparations for the US$77.4 million three-year project were complete.

The VNREDSat-1 would monitor natural resources, the environment and potential disasters, said Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology president Chau Van Minh who made the announcement with French Trade Secretary Pierre Lellouche.

A total of $74 million for the project would be provided through French development assistance.

Viet Nam would provide the remaining $3.4 million.

The project was the key to realising the national space technology development strategies approved in 2006, said the academy president.

The satellite would help Viet Nam own a complete earth-to-space satellite system instead of having to buy image data from foreign satellites.

Two French companies, ASTRIUM SAS of EADS Astrium Group and VEGA Technologies, had been selected to support Viet Nam in manufacturing and launching the satellite.

They would also help upgrade the data-receiving station and provide technology transfer, consultation and supervision.

Their participation followed the signing of contracts in July and November.

French Trade Secretary Lellouche said the project showed the close co-operation between the two countries in space technology.

France was committed to giving Viet Nam future support, he said.

Source: VNS