Lockheed to power nation’s satellite

The US defence giant is a member of a coalition which spearheads 70 high-profile US companies in officially lobbying for Vietnam’s WTO entry.
While it is uncertain whether the announcement is a ploy to soften US negotiators’ hardline stance, the deal is symbolic of a new era in the relations between the two former wartime enemies.
As the satellite, to be launched in April 2008, would partly serve Vietnam’s national defence communications indicates that “US companies are now welcome in the most sensitive sectors possible in Vietnam”, Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American chamber of commerce in Hanoi told the AFP.
Lockheed beat out two other bidders, an European consortium of Astrium and Alcatel Alenia Space, and the other the Japanese Sumitomo Corporation. VNPT chose Lockheed for its safety record and reputation.
The two sides signed the deal on procurement of satellite launch services and compatible ground control facilities for Vinasat in Hanoi.
Theofanis G Gavrilis, president of Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, said the company had started the project for production of long-lead items and would begin assembling components in the next two or three months.
“The contract is neither the biggest nor the smallest to us, but this is right on what we call the good size for being on time and not having any technical difficulties,” said Gavrilis.
The satellite is planned for launch on the 132E orbit from a spaceport in French Guiana in the northeast of South America.
The satellite, Vinasat1, is set to have 20 transceivers with a life span of 15 years. Vinasat1 will promote the country’s telecommunications services including a very small aperture terminal, phone, data transmission, television and radio broadcasting for remote areas and distance services like conferencing, health and education. VNPT Group expects to start using the satellite in the second quarter of 2008.
Vinasat will cover Japan, China, Korea, India, the ASEAN region, Australia, the East (South China) sea and a part of Myanmar. Pham Long Tran, acting chairman of VNPT Group, said the contract will facilitate providing services to remote areas to narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The contract will also boost relations between the US and Vietnam ahead of the latter’s WTO bid.
“This is an important event, making the first mark of Vietnam’s satellite industry,” said Tran.
“With the population of 83 million, Vietnam needs to have its own satellite for economic and social development as well as affirming Vietnam’s position in the telecommunication world,” said Tran Duc Lai, Vice Minister of Post and Telematics.
The country’s first satellite project started with a tender for bids in February. It is a focal part of the two packages; the later package, insurance for the service, will be next.
The group also signed a contract on a Vinasat satellite procurement consulting service with Canadian-based Telesat and expects to sign another contract on production supervision consulting services with the corporation.
The government only recently resumed the project after a year’s delay with VND2.8 trillion ($182.6 million), including $154.2m for equipment in October last year.
Of the total investment, 20 per cent will come from VNPT and the rest from loans by international credit organisations. A satellite control station will be established in Hoai Duc district, northern Ha Tay province, and a standby facility will be built in Ben Cat district, southern Binh Duong province.
The project was delayed because of questions over the orbit. 132E is still under negotiations with Tonga, while the obstacles with other Asia Pacific nations were removed.



No. 761/May 15-21, 2006