Vietnam plans 2008 satellite launch

Hanoi (dpa) - Vietnam is to take bids for companies next month to construct and launch the country's first satellite into orbit, scheduled for 2008, officials confirmed this afternoon.

An official with the state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corp. (VNPT) said that the bidding for construction of Vinasat satellite would begin in February, but he refused to give additional details, citing national security.

"This is a national project and the information related to it is a state secret," the official said by telephone Wednesday.

The 183-million-dollar satellite to be launched in two years will have 20 transmitters and will stay in orbit for 15 years, according to the Vietnamese language newspaper Tuoi Tre.

Vietnam now rents satellite transmission services from Thailand, Indonesia and Russia to transmit state television and radio, but will save some 10 million dollars a year once Vinasat is in orbit, the paper said.

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$183 million for this project. For a country that is butt poor, you would think that money could benefit "the people".

Spoken from a guy who never been into Vietnam

Hey zoom, how is life up there in Austin. I miss it so much back in early 90's.

Vietnam may still be a poor country but advancements in science and technology will eventually benefit the population in the long term. It's a good step ahead for Vietname.

To zoom970:

"$183 million for this project. For a country that is butt poor, you would think that money could benefit "the people". "

Well, the government expects to save $10 mils a year, which means it gets its money back within 18 years - There are few guarantees in life, though. In addition, Vietnam gets to build high tech expertise that she sorely needs, so it could be an investment in high tech infrastructure that would pay off in a myriad ways that can't be accounted for in a profit and loss spreadsheet - For example, putting more pressure on Vietnamese universities to improve. I'd say, this project is a good thing.

And it's remarkable that we are doing the kind of stuff that many countries with four or five times our per capita GDP wouldn't dream of doing - as long as it's the right kind of stuff. We are way better off with a satellite project that may turn into a dud than with palaces for corrupt bureaucrats.

Austin has grown in so many ways. Population boom, jobs boom, technology boom, everything has gone up. I believe that it is still one of the best city to live in, if you don't like the big city life like Dallas or Houston.

"Hookem Horns!"

Yeah we're champions, don't you hate us even more now?!

YAY!!

Thanks for the insight, blacklight.

I agreed. If done with truth and honesty, this advancement will benefits some things in Vietnam.

However, with that said, I am still holding a strong opinion, in that "with a corrupted goverment, like Communism, there can never be anything beneficial to the citizen, just the leadership group running it.

I believe that this is nothing but a show that Vietnam can build a device to launch a long range missile. It similar tactic the North Korean did by launching missiles to scare it's neighbor.

I may have never step on the soil of Vietnam, but atleast I care enough to debate the issues that matters.

yo Zoom, i'm from Austin too, where in Austin do you live ? How old are you dude, you sound young ... i'm living in North near Pflugerville.

To zoom970:

"I believe that this is nothing but a show that Vietnam can build a device to launch a long range missile. It similar tactic the North Korean did by launching missiles to scare it's neighbor."

Why would Vietnam want to build a long range missile and isolate herself from the world community the way the North Koreans and the Iranians are doing? And why would the PRC be scared of a handful of Vietnamese missiles without any nuclear capability?

And why do you think that scaring the ASEAN neighbors, who are a major trading partner of Vietnam by the way - why would scaring the daylights out of them be more important and more valuable to Vietnam than building a good relationship with the US and joining the WTO? And how would you square all these threats with Vietnam's desire to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member? (To join the UN Security Council, Vietnam needs a two thirds vote in her favor - and being threatening is hardly the way to go about it)

I am sorry, but you are not thinking straight.

North Austin. Round Rock area. A wave to the peeps in the Austin area!

do some math.