Vinasat-1 (stylized all uppercase) is a satellite launched by Vietnam, marking a significant achievement for the nation. The launch took place on April 18, 2008, at 22:17 GMT, using an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, facilitated by Arianespace. Vinasat is the national satellite program of Vietnam, aimed to facilitate telecommunications links in the country.

VINASAT-1
A rendering of VINASAT-1
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorVNPT
COSPAR ID2008-018A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.32767
Mission duration15 years
Spacecraft properties
BusA2100A
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass2,637 kilograms (5,814 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date18 April 2008, 22:17 (2008-04-18UTC22:17Z) UTC[1]
RocketAriane 5ECA V182
Launch siteKourou ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude132° east
Perigee altitude35,782 kilometres (22,234 mi)
Apogee altitude35,803 kilometres (22,247 mi)
Inclination0.02 degrees
Period23.93 hours
Epoch29 October 2013, 15:56:24 UTC[2]

Vietnam hopes to achieve various economic benefits due to the improved telecommunications links that the satellite will provide. Vietnam also hopes to provide radio, television, and telephone access throughout the country.[3]

Vinasat-1’s launch was postponed from its original plan in 2005. This was due to its frequency coordination procedures' complexity, which required adherence to the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Satellite operations for Vinasat-1 were under the management of Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), as per the delivery-in-orbit contract signed in Hanoi on May 12, 2006.[4] The satellite utilizes the Lockheed Martin A2100's advanced features, which includes 12 Ku band transponders and 8 C band transponders.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  2. ^ "VINASAT 1 Satellite details 2008-018A NORAD 32767". N2YO. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  3. ^ Martyn William.Vietnam Launches Its First Satellite. IDG News Service
  4. ^ "VINASAT 1". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
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