PicoDragon
First Vietnamese-built satellite, launched from the ISS in 2013.
PicoDragon is a 1U CubeSat built by the Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC) of VAST. It was the first satellite built in Vietnam and the first Vietnamese satellite to successfully launch into space. The project aimed to foster cooperation in space technology development between Vietnam and Japan.
Quick Facts
- Mission type
- Technology
- Operator
- Vietnam National Satellite Center
- Mission duration
- Success and operation in 3 month in the space
- Spacecraft type
- 1U CubeSat
- Manufacturer
- VNSC
- Launch mass
- 1 kg / 2.2 lb
- Launched
- 2:48 6/8/2013 UTC+7
- Launch rocket
- Kounotori
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- PicoDragon transmitted the advertising signal 'PicoDragon Vietnam' (PicoDragon Việt Nam) to ground-based radio stations.
- According to professor Pham Anh Tuan, director of VNSC, Vietnam planned to build larger satellites after PicoDragon: 10 kg in 2015, 50 kg in 2017, and a 500 kg Earth observation satellite in 2020.
Journey
PicoDragon launched to the ISS on 4 August 2013 via HTV-4 from Tanegashima, alongside ArduSat-1, ArduSat-X, TechEdSat-3, and the Kirobo robot. It was held for additional checks before deployment. On 19 November 2013 (Vietnamese time), it was released into orbit from the ISS. Its first signals were received four hours later by a ground station in Japan, and subsequently by VNSC's ground station. After more than three months in orbit, it completed its mission and burned up on reentry.
More in Satellites Deployed from the International Space Station
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