Bangabandhu-1 satellite to be launched on May 4

The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 (BS-1), will be the first Bangladeshi geostationary communications satellite operated by Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL), which is scheduled to launch on May 4.

Md. Mesbahuzzaman, Project Director of Bangabandhu Satellite Launching Project, on Wednesday confirmed the matter to Jago News.

On March 31, the Bangabandhu-1 satellite reached Florida's Cape Canaveral for launching into the orbit.

The satellite will be launched in the presence of a 30-member representative team from Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Information and Communication technology (ICT) Adviser, Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

The orbital slot on 119.1 degree east longitude was bought from Russian satellite company “Intersputnik” for $28 million last year.

Bangladesh currently spends around $14 million each year on renting other nation’s satellites to run its television channels, telephones and radio connectivity.

Once launched, Bangabandhu-1 will save the national exchequer Tk110-120 crore in broadcasting expenditure annually.