Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology receives Managing Director of Airbus Vietnam

19/04/2021

On the morning of March 22, 2021, Professor. Acad. Chau Van Minh, President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), received Mr. Jean Michel Caldagues, Managing Director of France’s Airbus in Vietnam.

The two sides exchanged views on the recent cooperation situation and the space technology development strategy in the near future.

The reception also drew the participation of Dr. Le Quynh Lien, Head of International Cooperation Department; and Dr. Bui Trong Tuyen, Director of Institute of Space Technology.

Overview of the reception

At the reception, Mr. Jean Michel Caldagues reviewed recent Airbus activities and cooperation with VAST, especially the cooperation in the VNREDSat-1 satellite project and training activities related to space technology at USTH (Vietnam-France University). Although affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a successful year for Airbus in space technology. Airbus has achieved many contracts, delivered more than 500 aircrafts and is a supplier of scientific research satellites to many partners around the world.

Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh expressed his delight at the visit to VAST by Mr. Jean Michel Caldagues and announced that the Government of Vietnam has just issued the Strategy for development and application of space science and technology until 2030, in which VAST was assigned many tasks, focusing on technology transfer and training of space technology staff. This is a great opportunity for VAST to strengthen cooperation in this field with international partners, especially French partners. Currently, Vietnam has the VNREDSat-1 satellite, the first optical earth observation satellite in Vietnam implemented with the ODA of the French government, chaired by VAST, successfully launched in May 2013. According to the design, the life span of VNREDSat-1 is 5 years in orbit, but up to now, after more than 8 years of operation, the VNREDSat-1 satellite is still effective and stable. Following the success of VNREDSat-1, Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh hoped that France and Vietnam would soon reach an agreement to implement the VNREDSat-2 satellite project.

Taking photo at the end of the reception

Based on the good cooperation results over recent years, Mr. Jean Michel Caldagues expressed his wish that the two sides would have more opportunities to promote scientific cooperation between VAST and French partners in the future./.

Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese version