VINASAT

Vietnam’s first major public satellite project is underway, led by the Vietnamese Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). The first satellite (VINASAT-1) is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2008, and upon successful launch and in-orbit testing will be used for telecommunications projects.

In the framework of this large scale public endeavour, with Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) as the main contractor, SES ASTRA TechCom S.A. (partnering with HITEC Luxembourg) delivers two satellite antenna systems in Vietnam - for Telecommand, Telemetry and Control (TT & C) - as well as training to the Vietnamese satellite operations personnel.

The two antenna systems, located in Ha Tay and Binh Duong province, are due to be completed in September 2007. In parallel, training for the future VINASAT satellite engineers and technicians (units of between 6 and 12 months) is being planned in Hanoi and Luxembourg. The sessions are co-financed by the Luxembourg Development Cooperation and will ultimately enable independent control of the VINASAT satellites by local engineers in Vietnam.

“VINASAT-1 will improve the nation’s communication networks infrastructure by removing dependence on terrestrial networks and allowing 100% of Vietnam's rural and mountainous communities to be equipped with telephones and televisions" said Mr. Hoang Minh Thong, Director of the VINASAT Project Management Unit of VNPT.

“We are very proud that SES ASTRA TechCom has been chosen to participate in the first Vietnamese satellite project,” said Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. “The decision shows that we are able to leverage our profound technical knowledge in the satellite business and can further grow our broad service offerings to the market.”

Several follow-on options for further contributions to VINASAT and Vietnamese satellite projects are being explored by the parties.