Vietnam`s first satellite goes into orbit

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, who is head of the National Steering Committee for VINASAT-1 project, were among other senior officials watching the historical event televised live at the International Conventional Hall in Hanoi.

Speaking after the launch, PM Dung said, "VINASAT-1 project is politically, economically and socially important for the country and represents Vietnam `s claim for national sovereignty in the outer space."

PM Dung believed that VINASAT-1 provides an important telecommunications channel linking Vietnam with other nations.

The launch makes Vietnam the 93rd country in the world and the sixth in the region having deployed its own satellite in space.

Boasting the transmission capacity equivalent to 10,000 telephone, Internet and data transmission channels or 120 digital television channels, VINASAT-1 will bring telecom, Internet and television services to people in remote, mountainous areas and islands in Vietnam.

VINASAT-1, with 4 metres in height and 2,600 kg in weight and prospective life of 15-20 years, was ...