Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite successfully separates from rocket
Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite successfully separated from Japan’s fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket at 11:07 am (Japan time), flying in outer space by itself.
Checking the wind direction before launching the NanoDragon satellite at the Uchinoura Space Centre in Japan's Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. (Photo: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – Vietnam’sNanoDragon satellite successfully separated from Japan’s fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket at 11:07 am (Japantime), flying in outer space by itself.
NanoDragon was the lastsatellite launched into outer space by Epsilon-5, which also carried eight other small satellites of Japan.At 11:30 am, NanoDragon flew over Vietnam’s space for the firsttime.
Previously, at 9:55 am (local time), Epsilon-5 was successfully launched into outer space from theUchinoura Space Centre in Japan's Kagoshima prefecture.
According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the satellites launched into outerspace this time are part of JAXA's second "Innovative satellite technologydemonstration" programme.
NanoDragon, a nano-layer cubesat satellitewhich weighs around four kilogrammes, was developed by the Vietnam NationalSpace Centre (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Thedevelopment of the NanoDragon satellite is part of VNSC's"made in Vietnam" small satellite development roadmap.
It was delivered to Japan on August 11 and tested at the Uchinoura Space Centrefrom August 16-17 before being officially transferred to the JAXA for launching.
The VNSC also successfully developed the 1-kg-microsatellite PicoDragon, andthe 50-kg satellite MicroDragon, which were launched into orbit in 2013 and2019, respectively./.
“Made in Vietnam” NanoDragon satellite is scheduled to be launched into orbit on October 7, announced Assoc. Prof., Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, on October 7 morning suspended the launch of its fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket that is expected to carry nine small satellites, including Vietnam’s NanoDragon.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that Vietnam's NanoDragon satellite will be put on the launch pad for the third time on November 7.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on November 6 announced the delay of the launch of its fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket that is expected to carry nine small satellites, including Vietnam’s NanoDragon.
The fifth Epsilon solid-fuel rocket which carries Vietnam’s NanoDragon and eight other small satellites of Japan, was successfully launched into outer space at 9:55am (Japan time) on November 9.
The launch of made-in-Vietnam satellite NanoDragon has gone into history and marked a new development milestone of Vietnam’s space industry, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam said following the successful launch on November 9 morning at the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
Checking the wind direction before launching the NanoDragon satellite at the Uchinoura Space Centre in Japan's Kagoshima prefecture, Japan. (Photo: VNA) 
