[8/31/07 – Satellite News Today] The Vietnam Telecom International Co. (VTI) has set up the Vinasat Satellite Information Centre to manage and operate ground stations for the Vinasat satellite, according to a press report from Vietnam.

The first mission of this new center will be to oversee the installation of a pair of satellite operating stations, one in the northern part of the country and an identical station in the southern half of Vietnam. VTI also will trains staff to operate Vinasat.

VinaSat-1 is being manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and will carry 20 C- and Ku-band transponders to radio, television and telephone transmission services for Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region.

Telesat Canada has signed a contract to aid in the launch of Vietnam’s first telecommunications satellite. The launch is scheduled to be performed by Arianespace before the end of March 2008.