HANOI, Vietnam (AP) 鈥� Vietnamese aerospace company VinSpace said Tuesday it has signed a contract with to send its first satellites into orbit aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission in 2027, as the Southeast Asian nation moves to develop its nascent space industry.
VinSpace will launch its satellites on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission run by company, which carries satellites from multiple customers on a single rocket to share launch costs, it said in a statement.
The satellites, which VinSpace said it will develop and operate, will test the company鈥檚 technology in orbit and support future commercial applications.
VinSpace is part of Vietnam鈥檚 Vingroup conglomerate and was established in November 2025. The company said in April that it planned to develop and launch its first satellites in 2027.
Founded by tycoon Pham Nhat Vuong, Vingroup is Vietnam鈥檚 largest privately owned company. It has a sprawling business empire that touches many aspects of daily life, from real estate and retail to healthcare, education and tourism.
It is such as electric vehicles, space, artificial intelligence and robotics, sectors central to Vietnam鈥檚 ambition to become .
Vietnam has sought to build its aerospace capabilities for several decades but remains a relatively small player in the global space industry. It launched its first telecommunications satellite in 2008, followed by another in 2012, according to official documents.
In March, it inaugurated a major space science and technology center in Hanoi鈥檚 Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, aimed at expanding the country鈥檚 satellite development and use of space-based data. Vietnam aims to become a mid-level space power in Southeast Asia by 2030.
In February, Vietnam allowed SpaceX to launch its Starlink satellite internet service in the country. This was seen by some analysts as an effort by Vietnam to avoid U.S. tariffs. Starlink has since begun accepting orders in Vietnam.
VinSpace said the agreement with SpaceX is part of its plan to become a full-service aerospace company, developing capabilities ranging from satellite design and manufacturing to launch management, satellite operations and space-based data services.
鈥淩eliable access to space is fundamental to turning satellite innovation into operational missions,鈥� VinSpace CEO Thu Vu said in a statement.
VinSpace did not disclose the value of the contract or the number or specifications of the satellites.
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