Airbus will work with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) to define solutions for the future Vietnamese Earth-Observation system including a transfer of technology programme, following a Letter of Intent on co-operation inked between the two sides this week.

This co-operation is expected to facilitate the implementation of the Viet Nam Space Technology Programme in the 2020-30 period.

After the first Earth-Observation satellite system - VNREDSat-1, built by Airbus, was launched in 2013 and now is fully operational, VAST is currently studying the development of the follow-up VNREDSat-2 Programme which is hoped to make significant contributions to amplify Vietnamese space capabilities to address the country's needs, contribute to economic development and advancement of knowledge for societal well-being.

In the framework of the VNREDSat-2 programme, Airbus will work with VAST to define the solutions for the future Vietnamese Earth-Observation system including a transfer of technology programme.

Meanwhile, VAST and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) will further explore areas of co-operation that will benefit from the VNREDSat-2 programme implementation, especially climate-related co-operation in the framework of the VietSCO programme, capacity-building and education. — VNS