• Manufacturing and launching flight model (FM) of Pico Dragon (PDG) into the orbit; monitoring the operation of the satellite during its lifetime.
• Training young engineers about small satellite technology and for research purpose.

a)Science achievements

-Building and testing the flight model (FM) of Pico Dragon successfully that integrated two payloads: JPEG camera and gyroscope module.

- The flight model had passed the tests and got all the certificates included thermal test and vibration test that tested in Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (Prof. Nakasuka’s Lab), the University of Tokyo; and other tests (fix-check, outgassing test) at Tsukuba Space Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). After that, JAXA permitted Pico Dragon was launched from International Space Station (ISS).
- After staying in ISS in three months, Pico Dragon was deployed to the orbit at 7:17 pm (local time) Nov 19th, 2013 and communicated successfully with many ground stations: Argentina, Sudan, England, Japan… and VNSC’s ground station.
b) Education achievements
- Training the young researchers to understand the process of satellite design, manufacturing, integration, test, and launching. Pico Dragon was used for applying that process. There are up to 16 researchers to take part in the project.
- Having 06 under-graduate students of University of Engineering and Technology with their theses relating to the Pico Dragon Project.

Some images of the project

- This is the first time Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has developed the pico-satellite and operated it successfully in orbit.
- Training VNSC’s young researchers to understand the process of satellite design, manufacturing, integration, and test.
- Develop the international cooperation with JAXA and the University of Tokyo, creates an opportunity for Pico Dragon to be launched into the orbit by IHI Aerospace’s rocket.

Scientific papers in referred journals:
[1] Huynh Xuan Quang; Analysis and thermal control for Pico Dragon; the 5th Vietnam Conference on Mechatronics; VCM2010; Oct 2010; p. 164-167.
[2] Pham A. Tuan, Vuong T. D. Huong, Le X. Huy, Hoang T. Huynh, Ha V. Quang; Access to satellite technology from pico to micro; Scientific Conference of the 35th Anniversary of Institute of Science and Technology of Vietnam; Oct 2010; Publishing House for Science and Technology; ISBN: 978-604-913-010-6; p. 169-174.
[3] Pham A. Tuan, Bui N. Duong, Le X. Huy, Cao X. Hoang, Hoang T. Huynh, Vuong T. D. Huong, Huynh X. Quang, Ha V. Quang, Phan M. Quan, Nguyen T. Thanh; Initial results in the design and manufacturing of pico-satellite; Scientific Conference of the 35th Anniversary of Institute of Science and Technology of Vietnam; Oct 2010; Publishing House for Science and Technology; ISBN: 978-604-913-010-6; p. 157-162.
[4] Pham A. Tuan, Vuong D. Huong, Bui N. Duong, Nguyen V. Hiep, Le T. Kien, Development of ground stations for Cubesat’s communication; Workshop “research, development, and applications of space technology 2011”; Nov 2011; Publishing House for Science and Technology;. ISBN: 978-604-913-032-8.