Telesat chief executive Dan Goldberg. (Darren Brown, OBJ)

Satellite operator Telesat has signed a contract to provide engineering consulting services for the design and implementation of the first satellite to be procured by the nation of Vietnam.

The Ottawa-based company will be working with the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to provide technical supervision of the design, integration, test, launch and acceptance of the VINASAT-1 satellite, as well as technical training.

"Telesat's ongoing business relationship with the VNPT Group is testimony to Telesat's culture of operational excellence and technical innovation in the field of satellite communication services," said Telesat's chief executive Dan Goldberg in a statement. "Telesat is unique in its ability to provide a full range of end-to-end services to customers, and we are internationally recognized for our depth of experience in satellite operations, technical support and systems expertise. It's a privilege for us to put more than 35 years of this experience to work to benefit the people of Vietnam."

Telesat has been working on Vietnam's national satellite program since 1999, providing the nation with support for feasibility studies, frequency co-ordination, technical training and spacecraft selection and construction.

VINASAT-1 is expected to improve telecommunications throughout Vietnam, especially to the nation's rural communities and hamlets when it is launched in 2008.

The satellite is being manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and is expected to have a minimum service life of 15 years.