VNREDSat-1, Vietnam’s first earth observation satellite (Photo: Space Technology Institute)

VNREDSat-1 was launched into space on May 7, 2013, making Vietnam one of 25 countries in the world with its own earth observation satellite at that time. The satellite was responsible for providing high-resolution data images to serve the monitoring and management of natural resources, the environment, and disaster prevention.

Satellites of the same type have an average lifespan of five years, but VNREDSat-1 was used for nearly 9 years.

Experts from France where the satellite was manufactured said that after nearly 9 years of operation, the images obtained by VNREDSat-1 are still of good quality and effective to be used for socio-economic development applications.