Vietnam’s LOTUSat-1 satellite is seen during its construction stage. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal
In a recent interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Ito said the satellite was initially scheduled for launch in February 2025, but it was delayed after technical issues were identified during tests of the Epsilon-S launch vehicle.
He added that Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are continuing efforts to finish testing the launch vehicle, while maintaining close coordination with Vietnam.
Ito said Japan remains highly interested in the major project and will continue close coordination with the Vietnamese side, including the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC), to achieve the goal of launching LOTUSat-1 in 2027.
He also noted Japan’s expectation that private sector companies in both countries will play a greater role in future space cooperation, alongside government agencies.
LOTUSat-1 is Vietnam’s first radar-based Earth observation satellite, weighing about 600 kilograms.
The satellite was manufactured by a Japanese company with the participation of engineers from VNSC under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, according to the Department of National Remote Sensing under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Funded by Japan’s official development assistance, the project began in 2021, has since been completed, and is now awaiting launch.
In a separate briefing with Vietnamese journalists in Hanoi last Saturday, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ deputy spokesperson Sakata Natsuko said both countries had confirmed plans to launch and operate Earth observation satellites, describing the cooperation as a step that would elevate bilateral space ties to a new level.
She added that Japan and Vietnam would continue close coordination, including human resource training, to ensure the success of the project and achieve the earliest possible launch of LOTUSat-1.
Sakata also highlighted the exchange of a revised satellite data-sharing agreement between VNSC and JAXA in Hanoi on May 2.
The exchange was witnessed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae following their talks during Takaichi’s official visit.
She said the updated agreement would enhance the practical use of satellite data in areas such as disaster response and agriculture, further strengthening scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.
