Satellites & Earth observation
VinSpace
Hanoi nanosatellite developer inside Vingroup, formed in November 2025, with a SpaceX Transporter contract to fly its first satellites in 2027.
VinSpace is the aerospace arm of the Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, incorporated in Hanoi on 3 November 2025 as VinSpace Joint Stock Company with charter capital of VND300 billion. Vingroup founder and chairman Pham Nhat Vuong holds 71 percent of the shares and Vingroup itself holds 19 percent, with Vuong's sons Pham Nhat Quan Anh and Pham Nhat Minh Hoang holding 5 percent each. Nguyen Mai Hoa, who also chairs the group's robotics arm VinRobotics, was named chairwoman. The registered business lines run wider than satellites, covering aircraft and spacecraft manufacturing, satellite telecommunications and air cargo transport.
The work the company describes for itself is narrower: research and development of Make in Vietnam nanosatellite constellations for telecommunications, remote sensing and other socioeconomic applications, built on Made in Vietnam CubeSat platforms. VinSpace says it is investing in the supporting infrastructure of cleanroom space, test equipment and ground station systems, and states an ambition to become a full-stack aerospace company spanning satellite design and manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing, launch mission management, satellite operations and downstream space data products and services. In February 2026 The Investor reported Vu Trong Thu, who led the team behind F-1, Vietnam's first nanosatellite, as the company's new chief executive; Via Satellite dated the appointment to January 2026.
On 11 August 2026 VinSpace announced a launch contract with SpaceX to fly its first satellites on a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027. Al Jazeera reported that the deployment is set for the second quarter of 2027; other reports of the contract gave only the year, and none stated the contract value, the number of satellites or their specifications. VinSpace is responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and on-orbit operation of the spacecraft, which are meant to demonstrate technologies developed in-house and build the company's satellite engineering experience before any commercial service. Chief executive Thu Vu said reliable access to space is fundamental to turning satellite innovation into operational missions.
Vietnam has orbited satellites before, though the state led those programmes: VINASAT-1, the first national telecommunications satellite, launched in 2008, and the VNREDSat-1 Earth-observation spacecraft followed in 2013. The country still has no launch site of its own. Assessing the plan in April 2026, VietnamNet called a 2027 small-satellite launch a considerable challenge, pointing to that dependence on foreign launch providers, a shortage of highly skilled aerospace personnel, and long payback periods in a field with near-zero tolerance for error. The Manila Times described the schedule as an unusually aggressive timetable for a company less than a year old, and noted that riding SpaceX's SmallSat Rideshare Program, priced from $350,000 for payloads up to 50 kg, spares VinSpace the cost of developing a domestic launch vehicle.
What they build and operate
- Make in Vietnam nanosatellite constellation · Constellation · In development
Nanosatellite constellations under development for telecommunications, remote sensing and other socioeconomic applications, with commercial services the stated long-term goal.[4][11] - Made in Vietnam CubeSat platform · Platform · In development
Ultra-small CubeSat satellite platform designed and built in Vietnam, the basis of the company's small-satellite line.[3][12] - 2027 Transporter demonstration mission · Programme · Announced
First flight, booked on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare in 2027 to demonstrate technologies developed in-house; the contract value, satellite count and specifications are unreported.[6][7][11]
Funding
- 03 November 2025 · Charter capital at incorporation
VND300 billion — Pham Nhat Vuong (71%), Vingroup (19%), Pham Nhat Quan Anh (5%), Pham Nhat Minh Hoang (5%)[1][2]
Milestones
- 03 November 2025
Incorporated in Hanoi as VinSpace Joint Stock Company with charter capital of VND300 billion.[1][2] - February 2026
The Investor reported Vu Trong Thu, who led Vietnam's first nanosatellite F-1, as VinSpace's new chief executive.[3][10] - April 2026
Announced it aimed to launch its first Make in Vietnam nanosatellites in 2027 while still building cleanrooms, test equipment and ground stations.[4] - 15 April 2026
VietnamNet assessed the 2027 target as a considerable challenge, citing Vietnam's lack of domestic launch facilities and a shortage of highly skilled aerospace personnel.[5] - 11 August 2026
Announced a SpaceX Transporter rideshare contract for 2027; the contract value, satellite count and specifications went unreported.[6][7][11]
Leadership
- Vu Trong Thu
Chief executive officer (as of February 2026)[3][10][11] - Nguyen Mai Hoa
Chairwoman (as of February 2026)[1][3]
Sources
The InvestorVingroup founder Pham Nhat Vuong launches aerospace venture VinSpacetheinvestor.vn
VietnamNetPham Nhat Vuong enters aerospace with VinSpacevietnamnet.vn
The InvestorVingroup-backed VinSpace has new CEO in push for small satellite ambitionstheinvestor.vn
TNGlobalVietnam conglomerate Vingroup's subsidiary VinSpace aims to launch nanosatellite in 2027technode.global
VietnamNetA satellite dream with big stakes for Vietnam's tech futurevietnamnet.vn
Al JazeeraVietnam's VinSpace announces deal with SpaceX to launch first satellitealjazeera.com
ABC NewsVietnam's VinSpace signs deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its first satellites in 2027abcnews.com
Developing TelecomsVietnamese satellite startup VinSpace books SpaceX for first launch in 2027developingtelecoms.com
The Manila TimesVinSpace books SpaceX ride as Vietnam's private space industry moves toward orbitmanilatimes.net
Via SatelliteVietnam's VinSpace Plans to Launch Tech Demonstration on 2027 SpaceX Rideshare Missionsatellitetoday.com
PR NewswireVinSpace Announces Launch Contract with SpaceX, Marking a New Milestone for Vietnam's Space Industryprnewswire.com
LinkedInVinSpace JSClinkedin.com
Coverage of VinSpace
Industry
VinSpace plans first satellites for 2027 SpaceX Transporter launch
The contract gives the young Vietnamese venture a named route to orbit, but no mission number, spacecraft count or specifications, price, or fixed launch date is public.
Update this profile
Work at VinSpace or represent it? If something here is wrong or missing, email contact@spaceexploration.news with a public source for the change. Every profile edit is verified before it is published.
Request a profile change