Seminar assessing operation of Vietnam’s remote sensing system

To review the activities of VNREDSat-1 over the past year, on May 5th, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) organized a seminar to access the operation of VNREDSat-1 at the National Remote Sensing Center.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai and Prof. Chau Van Minh, president of VAST, participated and presided over the seminar.

Overview of the seminar

The seminar was an opportunity for the MNRE and VAST to review cooperation in the operational management and use of VNREDSat-1 according to coordination regulations signed between the two groups on August 1st 2013. It was also an opportunity for the two agencies to listen to ideas from units currently using images from VNREDSat-1.

At the seminar, participants listened to reports and discussions on the results of trans-receiving and handling VNREDSat-1 images and the usage at Vietnam’s remote sensing image receiving stations; the use of VNREDSat-1 to serve highly specific demands; results of science and technology activities related to the exploitation of remote sensing satellite systems in the framework of the state-level science and technology programme on space technology; and policies and documents related to the exploitation of VNREDSat-1 images.

Prof. Bui Trong Tuyen – head of the Small Satellite Project Management Board, made a report at the seminar

The seminar analysed advantages and disadvantages of VNREDSat-1 images. The advantages include: creating active positions for relevant agencies to have an additional active, credible and objective information channel in the management of natural resources, the environment and the protection of national sovereignty, contributing to affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty not only on the mainland and waters but also in space; it’s use for different purposes such as training and serving tasks of supervising natural resources and the environment, national defence and security, rescue enablement, state-level space science and technology research programmes and international cooperation in the region and globally; and creating national remote sensing database information covering the national territory. The disadvantages include small coverage due to 17.5 km in capturing width; increases in cost of image post-treatment and control; and the image capture depending heavily on weather, since they are optical images.

At the seminar, scientists recommended continuing the promotion of different level scientific studies on satellite images of Vietnam and creating convenient tools for the exploitation of images using; improved methods of image treatment and enhancement to promptly meet demands of users; policies to encourage the usage of remote sensing images in projects using the budget; building of a pricing framework for satellite images to be suitable for users and capturing time; popularize the usage of satellite images in ministries, committees, agencies and localities; seeking foreign partners to effectively exploit VNREDSat-1 images in its orbit while outside Vietnam’s territory; continue to work on the VNREDSat-2 in the near future to meet demand and maintain the continuous appearance of Vietnam’s satellites in orbit.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai made a speech at the seminar

Concluding the seminar, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai, showed his appreciation for the achievements of the technical staff of the MNRE and scientists from VAST in mastering and operating VNREDSat-1. He said that to operate VNREDSat-1 safely and effectively, MNRE and VAST had taken positive steps in both technical application and creation of a legal corridor and operation coordination mechanism over the past time. He expressed his hope that in the near future, VAST and MNRE would continue with further cooperation in the operation and exploitation of VNREDSat-1 actively, adequately meeting the rapid demand of image capture by ministries, committees, agencies and localities in Vietnam.

Taking photos after the seminar

Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese Version