Vietnamese aerospace firm VinSpace has reached an agreement with SpaceX to send its first satellites into orbit in 2027, as Vietnam accelerates efforts to build its growing space sector.
VinSpace said on Tuesday that SpaceX would carry its satellites aboard a Transporter rideshare mission. The programme enables multiple customers to place satellites on the same rocket, lowering the cost of launches, reports AP.
The company will develop and operate the satellites, which it plans to use to test its technology in orbit and support potential commercial applications in the future.
VinSpace operates under Vietnam’s Vingroup conglomerate and was established in November 2025. The company announced in April that it planned to develop and launch its first satellites in 2027.
Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong founded Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest privately owned company. Its businesses cover sectors including real estate, retail, healthcare, education and tourism.
Vingroup is also moving into high-tech sectors such as electric vehicles, space, artificial intelligence and robotics as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its economy and establish itself as an emerging economic power in Asia.
Vietnam has pursued the development of its space capabilities for decades, although it remains a relatively small participant in the global space industry.
Official documents show that the country launched its first telecommunications satellite in 2008, followed by a second in 2012.
In March, Vietnam opened a major space science and technology centre at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park in Hanoi. The centre aims to promote satellite development and expand the use of space-based data. Vietnam has set a target of becoming a mid-level space power in Southeast Asia by 2030.
The country approved SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service in February. Some analysts regarded the decision as part of Vietnam’s efforts to avoid US tariffs. Starlink has since begun accepting orders in the country.
VinSpace said the SpaceX agreement supports its ambition to become a full-service aerospace company. Its planned capabilities include satellite design and manufacturing, launch management, satellite operations and space-based data services.
“Reliable access to space is fundamental to turning satellite innovation into operational missions,” VinSpace CEO Thu Vu said in a statement.
The company did not disclose the contract’s value or provide details on the number and specifications of the satellites.
