Vietnam’s VinSpace signs deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch its first satellites in 2027
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnamese aerospace company VinSpace said Tuesday it has signed a contract with SpaceX to send its first satellites into orbit aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission in 2027, as the Southeast Asian nation moves to…
Vietnam's VinSpace has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to have its first satellites launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Transporter mission in 2027, as the Southeast Asian nation strives to grow its burgeoning space sector. The company, which forms part of Vietnam's Vingroup conglomerate, announced the deal in a statement, explaining that the satellites will be developed and operated by VinSpace. They will be used to assess the technology and pave the way for commercial applications in the future.
Pham Nhat Vuong, the tycoon who founded Vingroup, established VinSpace in November 2025. The company had previously stated its intention to launch its first satellites in 2027. Although Vietnam has been working towards developing its aerospace capabilities for decades, it remains a minor player on the global space stage. The country launched its first telecommunications satellite in 2008, followed by another in 2012.
Recently, in March, Vietnam opened a significant space science and technology center in Hanoi's Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, with the aim of furthering satellite development and harnessing space-based data. Vietnam hopes to establish itself as a mid-level space power in Southeast Asia by 2030.
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