Vietnam and Italy plan to advance collaboration in synthetic aperture radar technology and applications. A workshop was held in Hanoi to discuss the partnership as a commemorative activity for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy.
The primary objective of this programme is to foster extensive dialogues regarding the prospective uses of synthetic aperture radar technology, with a particular emphasis on crucial domains such as climate change monitoring, water resource management, and agricultural data collection.
By 2024, the Vietnam National Satellite Centre is anticipated to introduce LOTUSat-1, the inaugural synthetic aperture radar satellite of Vietnam. LOTUSat-1 possesses the capability to capture high-resolution images of the Earth, unaffected by weather conditions, during both day and night.
The image data obtained from this satellite will offer precise information to address the pressing requirement for reliable image sources. With the data, experts will be able to provide timely responses aimed at mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, climate change, resource management, and environmental monitoring. These efforts will contribute to the advancement of socioeconomic development.
The workshop was attended by Pham Anh Tuan, Associate Professor and General Director of Vietnam National Satellite Centre (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), and Italian Ambassador to Vietnam, Antonio Alessandro, along with experts and leading scientific researchers.
Speaking at the event, Tuan said that the strategy for the development and application of space science and technology to 2030 was approved by the Vietnamese government in 2021. The strategy aims to leverage space technology for the effective management, monitoring, and support of natural resources and the environment, with the aim of mitigating the detrimental effects of natural disasters. The government identified the promotion of international cooperation as an important role in the successful implementation of this strategy.
Italy is one of the few countries with a leading research force in various aspects of the space field, including developing satellites, launching Earth observation satellites, and locating and exploring life in space. Given Italy’s expertise in the field, the collaboration represents a significant opportunity to foster the advancement of space technology within Vietnam, Tuan noted. Moreover, it serves to strengthen the existing strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy.
Last December, the Italian Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnam Space Centre (VNSC) at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology launched the “Vietnam-Italy Space Technology and Applications. Looking Beyond” exhibition.
During the exhibition, attendees had the opportunity to view 23 high-definition images of the Earth captured by the COSMO-SkyMed satellite system from Italy. These images encompassed various locations, including two showcasing the city of Hanoi and the Mekong Delta. Additionally, participants engaged with nine panels presented by the Vietnam National Satellite Centre (VNSC), which highlighted the applications of satellite images in remote sensing and disaster prevention within Vietnam.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the exhibition presented scientists and researchers in Vietnam with enhanced opportunities for collaboration with their Italian counterparts in the realm of space science and technology. It also provided them with a platform to explore and apply the outcomes of space technology towards achieving socio-economic objectives and fostering sustainable development.
