Bangladesh to launch first-ever satellite in Dec

Work on Bangladesh’s first-ever satellite project, Bangabandhu Satellite-1, is going on in full swing, aiming to be launched on the country’s Victory Day on December 16.Sources at the posts and telecommunications ministry said yesterday that 55% work on the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 has been completed.Once launched, the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will provide 40 different types of services. It is expected to bring revolutionary changes in telecommunications and broadcast services, the sources said.The satellite with a capacity of 1,600 megahertz will have 40 transponders and the physical equipment of the space capsule that measures the capacity. Half of the capacity will be reserved for the country while the rest will be rented out.In 2008, the Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) completed the primary works, including the submission of electronic filing to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for launching the satellite.The government has taken the most sophisticated technological project involving 29.69bn taka with a view to reducing dependence on foreign countries.State Minister for Posts and Communications Tarana Halim said, “Work on Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is progressing fast for launching it on the Victory Day next. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to go to the USA for launching the satellite.”Former posts and telecommunications secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury said, “Once the satellite is launched, the country’s telecommunication sector will be able to move competitively with developed nations. The government is giving priority to quick implementation of the project.”Project director Abdur Razzak said, “The construction work of two ground control stations in Gazipur and Betbunia are going on in full swing. We hope the work will be completed in time.”Besides, the work for procuring equipment for the ground control station is underway, he said.According to the sources, work on satellite is going on under the facility of Thales Alenia Space of Cannes and Toulouse. Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the design, production, testing and the delivery in orbit.Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will be launched using vehicle SpaceX and Falcon 9 of the United States from the Cape Carnival launch pad. An agreement has already been signed between SpaceX, the USA and Launch Service Agreement of Thales.On September 9, 2016, an agreement of 157mn euro (equivalent to 14bn taka) with HSBC was signed for financing the project.