Vietnam’s VinSpace announced Tuesday it has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch its first satellites in 2027 aboard a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission. The deal marks Vietnam’s latest step in developing its space industry, with the satellites designed to test technology and support future commercial uses. The satellites will be developed and operated by VinSpace, which is part of the Vingroup conglomerate and was established in November 2025. The company first announced plans for the 2027 launch in April.
The Transporter mission will carry multiple satellites on a single rocket, a cost-sharing model SpaceX uses to reduce launch expenses for smaller companies. VinSpace said the mission will help the company refine its technology in orbit before expanding into broader applications. Vingroup, founded by tycoon Pham Nhat Vuong, is Vietnam’s largest private company and has invested heavily in high-tech sectors like electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Vietnam has long sought to build its aerospace capabilities but remains a minor player in the global space industry. The country launched its first telecommunications satellite in 2008 and another in 2012. In March, Vietnam inaugurated a major space science and technology center in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, signaling increased focus on space research.
The partnership with SpaceX comes as Vietnam aims to position itself as a rising economic force in Asia. Vingroup’s global expansion includes investments in space, a sector seen as key to Vietnam’s goal of becoming the region’s next major economy. The 2027 launch will be the first time a Vietnamese company sends satellites into orbit via a commercial provider, according to VinSpace’s statement.