Decision No. 169/QD-TTg 2021 the strategy for development and application of space science and technology through 2030

DECISION

Promulgating the Strategy for development and application of space science and technology through 2030^[1]

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government; and the November 22, 2019 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration;

Pursuant to the November 13, 2008 Law on High Technologies;

Pursuant to the June 18, 2013 Law on Science and Technology;

At the proposal of the Minister of Science and Technology,

DECIDES:

Article 1. To promulgate the Strategy for development and application of space science and technology through 2030 (below referred to as the Strategy) with the following contents:

I. VIEWPOINTS

1. Development and application of space science and technology are pressing needs and aimed at ensuring sufficient sources and security and reliability of satellite data, contributing to safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, increasing scientific and technological potential, promoting socio-economic development, and guaranteeing other national interests, in conformity with sustainable development goals of the United Nations and in harmony with other national strategies.

2. Investment in development and application of space science and technology is a continuous and long-term process that perpetuates and brings into the fullest play achievements of the Strategy for development and application of space science and technology through 2020 and the mankind’s latest achievements, helps intensify mobilization of all social resources, brings into full play potential of enterprises, efficiently utilizes all shared-use resources, and step by step masters and eventually creates new technologies.       

3. Development of space science and technology serves as a driving force to promote research into, mastery, development and application of high technologies in the fields of information and communications technology, automation, new materials, biology, mechatronics engineering, precision mechanical engineering, and new technologies that are taking the lead in the global development.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. General objectives

To widely apply achievements of space science and technology; to make focused and selective investment in a number of fields related to national defense, security, natural resources and environment management, surveillance and support for mitigation of damage caused natural disasters, and provision of diversified services to the people; to increase scientific and technological potential of the country, contributing to safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, increasing scientific and technological potential, promoting all-round socio-economic development, and guaranteeing other national interests.

2. Specific objectives

a/ Regarding focused and selective investment:

- To master technologies for designing, manufacturing and integrating optical sensors and radars for earth observation satellites; to assemble, integrate and inspect at home small satellites with high density (HD) or ultra-high density (UHD);

- To master technologies for designing and manufacturing terminal equipment and ground stations to control and receive satellite data and transponders for telecommunications satellites;

- To ensure an efficient via-satellite transmission capacity, especially to meet needs of deep-lying, remote and border areas and islands and requirements of the tasks of safeguarding national sovereignty and security;

- To develop Vietnam’s positioning and navigation capacity and reduce its dependence on existing global positioning and navigation satellite systems;

- To use hot-air balloons and aircraft in the stratosphere to serve scientific research, survey, atmospheric sounding, and development of tourist services.

b/ Regarding application of space science and technology:

- To proactively and promptly supervise and facilitate the making of decisions on response to activities and changes of the nature as well as wide-area social changes within Vietnam’s territory;

- To ensure contemporariness of map data, geographic information system, and natural resource and environmental data so as to effectively serve state management work and provide digital platforms for development of diverse services;

- To provide the people with diverse telecommunications, positioning, navigation and warning services based on satellite data.

c/ Regarding development of potential of space science and technology:

- To train a contingent of some 300 experts and 3,000 post-sale engineers in the field of space science and technology;

- To invest in upgrading around 10 specialized laboratories; to develop capable research groups engaged in space science, space technology and application of space science and technology;

- To invest in scientific research, and development and application of space science and technology up to the level of top regional countries.

III. TASKS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Improving institutions and national legal framework

a/ To study and propose models of unified state management of airspace favorable for civil activities and performance of tasks of safeguarding national sovereignty and security.         

b/ To study and propose the formulation of a draft Law on National Space.

c/ To study and create legal grounds for earth observation data and use of earth observation data.

d/ To review and improve legal grounds for payment of compensation for damage caused by celestial objects at home and abroad; to ensure conditions for implementation of treaties on airspace to which Vietnam is or will become a contracting party.

2. Carrying out scientific research and technological development

a/ To formulate, and organize the implementation of, the national-level key program on space science and technology with the following main orientations:

- Conducting basic researches, giving priority to applications associated with human life in Vietnam’s territory;

- Researching, mastering and developing technologies to serve designing, manufacture and integration of small satellites for earth observation; transponder subsystems of telecommunications satellites; satellite information terminal equipment, and ground stations for satellite data control, receipt and transmission; ensuring security and confidentiality of satellite data, and aircraft in the stratosphere;

- Researching and developing applications associated with establishment and development of innovation startups based on technologies prioritized for research, development and application for proactive participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; developing applications to serve state management work in related fields.

b/ To formulate, and organize the performance of, other national-level scientific and technological tasks to serve the safeguarding of national sovereignty and security.

c/ To invest in founding, or raising the quality of, at least 1 national magazine on space science and technology; to organize annual national seminars on space science and technology.

3. Building technical infrastructure facilities

a/ To complete investment in the project on the Vietnam Space Center according to the Prime Minister-approved schedule.

b/ To invest in upgrading specialized laboratories to serve research into geophysics, astrophysics, cosmography, zero-gravity environment, cosmic biomedicine, and cosmic weather; to improve capacity to research and master technologies for designing, manufacturing, integrating and testing small satellites.

c/ To study, formulate and implement plans on timely replacement of VINASAT-1 and VINASAT-2 telecommunications satellites.

d/ To invest in developing capacity for earth observation using HD/UHD small satellites with optical sensors or radars combined with unmanned aerial vehicles.

dd/ To study and propose solutions for, and organize the implementation of, the scheme on building and development of national positioning and navigation capacity.

e/ To invest in improving the national infrastructure system for operation of geographic information systems to serve the management and supervision of national territory, territorial waters, and national important works.

4. Developing human resources

a/ To establish or upgrade at least 5 training institutions to meet the demand for mastery, development and application of space science and technology based on orientations for development of production of products and provision of services in the field of space science and technology.

b/ To formulate and promulgate codes of training disciplines, frame programs and outcome-based education standards of aeronautics and space science students.

c/ To develop capable research groups, including around 5 space science groups and 15 space technology groups, ensuring a rational structure of personnel capable of taking the prime charge of priority research directions.

d/ To organize intensive training courses in skills of policy planning, state management, and innovation startup support in the field of space science and technology.

5. Developing markets

a/ To research and promptly add technologies and products in the field of space science and technology to the List of high technologies prioritized for development investment and the List of hi-tech products eligible for development promotion.

b/ To build ecosystems for and encourage the formation of innovative enterprises that turn out new products and services from space science and technology combined with technologies prioritized for research, development and application for proactive participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

c/ To facilitate the formation of domestic and overseas markets for services of photographing the Earth’s surface, via-satellite transmission channels, and applying Vietnam’s positioning and navigation system.

d/ To formulate a mechanism for supporting the utilization of national databases and specialized databases on earth observation, and development of satellite data processing services.

dd/ To implement on a pilot basis plans on outsourcing the provision of space data processing services for state agencies and organizations.

e/ To study and formulate mechanisms and policies to promote transfer of dual-use technologies and products for civil and national defense or security purposes.

g/ To build a system of statistical indicators for assessment of impacts of space science and technology on socio-economic development.

6. Undertaking international cooperation

a/ To negotiate and sign bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with countries and organizations with great potential in space science and technology in the world for cooperation in exploration and peaceful utilization of aerospace.

b/ To accede to and implement the United Nations’ treaties on aerospace in order to safeguard national sovereignty and security and related national interests.

c/ To take the initiative in joining the network of satellite constellations in order to develop the application of space science and technology and provide diverse services at home and abroad.

d/ To take the initiative in participating in activities of multilateral organizations and forums related to space science and technology.

dd/ To form national focal points for collection and combination of shared-use resources and provision of assistance for exploitation thereof for socio-economic development and national security maintenance.

7. Improving awareness about space science and technology

a/ To intensify the popularization of general knowledge and develop columns or programs on general knowledge about aeronautics and aerospace in magazines for the youth, websites and advertising television channels.

b/ To improve awareness of enterprises about production and business development potential and innovation startup activities in the field of space science and technology.

c/ To organize various forms of public communication to improve awareness of all levels, sectors and localities about the connotation and potential of space science and technology for socio-economic development, and safeguarding of national sovereignty and security.

IV. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION                             

1. Consolidation of the Vietnam Space Committee

To consolidate the Vietnam Space Committee in order to assist the Prime Minister in studying, directing and coordinating the resolution of interdisciplinary issues in the implementation of the Strategy.

2. Assignment of tasks for organizing the implementation of the Strategy

a/ The Ministry of Science and Technology shall monitor and examine the implementation of the Strategy in civil domains, and assume the prime responsibility for:

- Guiding ministries, sectors and localities in formulating and implementing programs, plans, schemes and projects in conformity with viewpoints, objectives, tasks and solutions set out in the Strategy;

- Formulating, and organizing the implementation of, the Scheme on building national capacity for space science and technology research and the national-level key program on space science and technology;

- Organizing intensive training courses for officials and civil servants engaged in policy planning, state management and support for innovation startups in the field of space science and technology;

- Reviewing, and proposing timely addition to, the List of high technologies prioritized for development investment and the List of hi-tech products eligible for development promotion;

- Studying and proposing mechanisms and policies to promote transfer of technologies and products for dual use for civil and national defense or security purposes;

- Studying and preparing dossiers of proposal on accession to the United Nations’ treaties on peaceful utilization of aerospace;

- Prioritizing allocation of resources for, and proactively participating in, activities of multilateral organizations and forums related to space science and technology;

- Studying and proposing issuance of the system of statistical indicators for assessment of impacts of space science and technology on socio-economic activities;

- Assuming the prime responsibility for, and coordinating with ministries, sectors and localities in, summarizing, making statistics on, evaluating, inspecting and examining the implementation of the Strategy; reviewing, evaluating and drawing experience from, the implementation of the Strategy every 5 years; and when necessary, proposing adjustments to the Strategy to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

b/ The Ministry of National Defense shall monitor and examine the implementation of the Strategy serving the task of protecting the national sovereignty, and assuming the prime responsibility for:

- Formulating, and organizing the implementation of, the Scheme on building of earth observation capacity to serve the task of protecting the national sovereignty and the Scheme on building of national positioning and navigation capacity;

- Intensifying popularization of knowledge and improving awareness about the task of protecting the national sovereignty in aerospace;

- Guiding ministries, sectors and localities in incorporating the task of protecting the national sovereignty in programs, plans, schemes and projects under the Strategy that they formulate and implement.

c/ The Ministry of Public Security shall monitor and examine the implementation of the Strategy serving the task of safeguarding national security, and assuming the prime responsibility for:

- Building and developing the capacity to monitor and supervise widespread social changes in critical areas in terms of national security using earth observation data;

- Studying, reviewing and supplementing examination and supervision mechanisms to ensure cybersecurity for broadband satellite Internet systems;

- Intensifying popularization of knowledge and improving awareness about danger to national security from aerospace activities;

- Guiding ministries, sectors and localities in incorporating the task of safeguarding national security in programs, plans, schemes and projects under the Strategy that they formulate and implement.

d/ The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology shall perform the function of conducting basic research in natural sciences and technological development, and assume the prime responsibility for:

- Prioritizing resources for completing the project on the Vietnam Space Center according to the Prime Minister-approved schedule;

- Formulating and implementing the Scheme on building of the national capacity for earth observation based on HD/UHD small satellites using optical sensors or radars combined with unmanned aerial vehicles;

- Compiling documents on popularization and provision of information to serve the improvement of awareness about space science and technology at ministries, sectors and localities;

- Stepping up the mobilization of social resources for organization of the annual event titled “Vietnam Space Day”, with special priority given to contents reserved for the youth;

- Investing in raising quality of 1 national-level magazine on space science and technology; organizing annual national seminars on space science and technology;

- Acting as the national focal point for collecting, synthesizing and utilizing shared-used resources for space science and technology;

- Organizing research and implementation of the national-level key program on space science and technology; investing in development of a number of capable research groups in space science, space technology and application of space science and technology in its attached units.

dd/ The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for:

- Intensifying the popularization of general knowledge via science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education; issuing documents on general knowledge about space science suitable to different school grades;

- Formulating and implementing a plan on building and development of at least 5 training institutions to meet the demand for mastery, development and application of space science and technology;

- Issuing training discipline codes, framework programs and outcome-based education standards for aeronautics and space science; organizing training of post-sale engineers in space science and technology;

- Investing in development of a number of capable research groups in space science, space technology and application of space science and technology at its attached universities and research institutes.

e/ The Ministry of Information and Communications shall assume the prime responsibility for:

- Directing information and press agencies in intensifying public communication to improve public awareness about the role and potential of space science and technology for socio-economic development, and safeguarding of national sovereignty and security;

- Formulating and implementing a scheme on replacement of VINASAT-1 and VINASAT-2 telecommunications satellites;

- Stepping up the formation of domestic and overseas markets for via-satellite transmission services and application of Vietnam’s positioning and navigation system.

g/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for:

- Studying and proposing amendments and supplementations to national legal grounds and ensuring conditions for implementation of treaties on space to which Vietnam is and will become a contracting party;

- Stepping up negotiation and conclusion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with countries and organizations with great space science and technology potential in the world for cooperation in exploration and peaceful utilization of aerospace.

h/ The Ministry of Home Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for conducting research into, and advising the Government on, models of unified state management of aeronautics and aerospace for civil activities and performance of the task of safeguarding national sovereignty and security.

i/ The Ministry of Justice shall  assume the prime responsibility for:

- Studying and proposing amendments and supplementations to the Law on State Compensation Liability, establishing legal grounds for payment of compensations for damage caused by celestial objects at home and abroad;

- Studying, and advising the Prime Minister on assignment of appropriate agencies to study and propose the formulation of a draft Law on National Space.

k/ The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall assume the prime responsibility for:

- Reviewing, and proposing amendments and supplementations to, the Government’s Decree No. 03/2019/ND-CP of January 4, 2019, on remote sensing activities, thus improving legal grounds for collection and use of earth observation data;

- Investing in improving the national infrastructure of the geographic information system serving the management and supervision of national territory, territorial waters and national important works;

- Studying and formulating a mechanism to assist the utilization of national databases and specialized databases on earth observation and development of satellite data processing services;

- Proposing a mechanism for pilot implementation of plans on outsourcing satellite data processing services for state agencies and organizations;

- Studying and proposing mechanisms and policies to step up the formation of domestic and overseas markets for earth observation services.

l/ The Vietnam Television shall assume the prime responsibility for producing and broadcasting a program providing general knowledge about space science and technology.

m/ The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, proposing competent authorities to allocate funds for performance of the Strategy’s tasks in accordance with the Law on the State Budget and relevant regulations.

n/ The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, proposing competent authorities to allocate funds for performance of the Strategy’s tasks in accordance with the Law on Public Investment and relevant regulations.

o/ Provincial-level People’s Committees shall formulate and promulgate, and allocate resources for implementation of, plans on implementation of the Strategy in an efficient manner to meet specific local needs.

p/ The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union shall participate in the implementation of the Strategy; intensify public communication to improve the youth’s awareness about the role and potential of space science and technology for socio-economic development, and safeguarding of national sovereignty and security.

3. Funds for implementation of the Strategy

a/ Resources for implementation of the Strategy include state budget funds, funds of enterprises, official development assistance, international aid and other lawfully raised funding sources in accordance with law.

b/ State budget funds shall be allocated according to current regulations on state budget decentralization. Ministries, sectors and localities shall base themselves on the objectives and tasks set forth in the Strategy to make specific funding estimates for implementation under regulations.

c/ Financial resources from domestic and foreign organizations, individuals and enterprises for implementation of the Strategy shall be mobilized in accordance with law; and tasks assigned to ministries, sectors and localities shall be incorporated in other relevant national target programs.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 3. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and heads of related agencies shall implement this Decision.

Prime Minister
NGUYEN XUAN PHUC