QinetiQ to build Vietnam satellite
The contract comprises a total package for building and supplying a complete satellite infrastructure in Vietnam. QinetiQ will be responsible for the design and construction of the satellite, while consortium partners will deliver ground station and test facilities, the training of Vietnamese partners and the operation of the satellite for one year.
The Vietnamese satellite has been given the name VNREDSat-1B (Vietnam Resource, Environment & Disaster Monitoring Satellite). The earth observation satellite will be similar to the Proba-V satellite built by QinetiQ for the European Space Agency that was launched in 2013 and is currently mapping worldwide vegetation.
The Vietnamese government wants to deploy the satellite for extensive monitoring of its agriculture. Vietnam’s economy relies very heavily on its natural resources, so proceeds from crop cultivation and water management are particularly important factors for shaping the country’s agricultural policy. The satellite will enable the country to make independent forecasts based on observations of its territory and surrounding environments from space.
Frank Preud’homme, commercial director for the QinetiQ Space business said, “We are particularly pleased to have been able to finalise this exciting deal and help build on our growing reputation as a specialist in the construction and supply of earth observation satellites. This particular optical satellite will contain a hyperspectral instrument what will provide detailed information about objects and enable precise identification.”
Sanjay Razdan, managing director of New Technologies at QinetiQ added. “We are excited to deliver a QinetiQ earth observation satellite to Vietnam. This marks the first step towards growing our international satellite business.”
Other members of the consortium include Kruibeke, Spacebel and Amos.
