Launching of Bangabandhu-1 satellite rescheduled for May 7

The launching date of Bangabandhu-1, the first commercial satellite of Bangladesh, scheduled for May 4 likely to be sent into orbit now on May 7 and it will be ready for use within two months of launch.

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar came up with the information while talking to reporters after a roundtable discussion title ‘Bangabandhu Satellite: Possibility in Space’.

The programme was organised by Telecom Reporters’ Network, Bangladesh (TRNB) at Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) office.

The authorities concerned of US Company SpaceX has fixed the possible date on May 7 for launching, said the minister.

Speaking at the roundtable, BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said the rescheduling has been done as the weather will not be favorable for launching on May 4.

He also asked all the local television channels to turn their satellite onto Bangabandhu-1, after it will be launched.

The launching schedule of the country’s lone satellite has earlier been deferred several times.

The Bangabandhu Satellite with a capacity of 1,600 megahertz will have 40 transponders and the physical equipment of the space capsule that measures the capacity.

Saiful Islam, additional secretary to Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ICT) Ministry and also the managing director of Bangabandhu Satellite Communications Ltd, said a total of 18 people have been recruited for controlling the project and they have started working at the ground station.

Besides, a marketing team was recruited to promote the sales of transponders, he said adding that two countries--Indonesia and Philippine—have showed their interest to use the satellite.

On October 21, 2015, The Cabinet Purchase Committee approved the project to buy the satellite system.

Later, BTRC signed a deal involving Tk 2,000 crore with Thales Alenia Space to construct the first-ever satellite project.

Bangladesh will be the 57th country when Bangabandhu-1 would be launched into the orbital slot on 119.1 degree east longitude which (slot) was bought from Russian satellite company ‘Intersputnik’ for US$ 28 million in January 2015.