Vietnam premier urges closer coordination with Japan to launch LOTUSat-1 satellite by 2027

Chinh made the call while attending the opening ceremony for the ‘Vietnam–Japan Space Horizons 2026 Forum: Partnering for the New Era’ and the inauguration of the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi on Friday.

LOTUSat-1 is Vietnam’s first radar satellite, manufactured by Japan with the participation of VNSC engineers, with work on the satellite beginning in 2021, according to the Department of National Remote Sensing under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The satellite project is funded by Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) along with Vietnam’s counterpart funding, news site VnExpress reported.

The manufacturing of the 600-kilogram satellite has been completed and it is now awaiting launch.

Chinh stressed the importance of close coordination between Vietnamese and Japanese stakeholders to ensure LOTUSat-1 is launched by late 2027 and used effectively.

He also called for expanding Vietnam–Japan cooperation in earth observation, satellite data applications, and the development of small satellite systems to strengthen Vietnam’s long-term technological capacity.

Currently, LOTUSat-1’s ground system has been installed at the newly inaugurated VNSC, while operational personnel have been trained in preparation for the satellite’s launch and operation.

Equipped with advanced radar technology, LOTUSat-1 will be capable of detecting objects as small as one meter on the ground and conducting observations both day and night, regardless of weather conditions.

Once operational, it will provide images and data to support disaster response, climate change monitoring, resource management, and environmental protection.

Regarding the newly inaugurated VNSC, Vietnam’s first high-tech scientific infrastructure project funded by Japan’s ODA, the prime minister described it as a new milestone in Vietnam–Japan friendship and cooperation.

The nine-hectare center, built at a cost of more than VND7 trillion (US$266.3 million), is among the most technologically advanced space infrastructure facilities in Southeast Asia and is expected to support Vietnam’s space science and technology sector as well as national development and defense.

Hiroyuki Hatada, deputy director-general of the Manufacturing Industries Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam under the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

They said cooperation in space science and technology for peaceful purposes would support socio-economic development, disaster prevention, and climate change response.

Chinh said Vietnam will continue expanding international cooperation in space science and technology, particularly with Japan, while promoting collaboration in human resource development, technology transfer, satellite operations, remote sensing applications, and space data processing and analysis.

He also affirmed Vietnam will continue improving institutions, mechanisms, and policies governing space activities in line with national conditions and international practices.