Vietnam will launch its second satellite, Vinasat-2, in the third week of April 2012 as scheduled, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

(File) Vinasat-1, the first Vietnamese satellite, was placed in the orbit in April 2008.

The ministry said Vinasat-2 would be launched together with a Japanese satellite, and both are manufactured by Lockheed Martin of the US.

Also according to the ministry, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011 has delayed the transfer of some parts from Japan to Lockheed Martin. Till now, the possibilities for any delay in the launch are “very low”, according to partners in the project.

The Vinasat-2 project costs almost US$300 million, with the Vietnam Post and Telecoms Corporation (VNPT) being the owner. Arianespace will supply the launch service using Arian rocket, the most reliable launch system currently.

Source: Saigon daily