Bangladesh’s space age begins

Once successfully positioned, Bangladesh would acquire great benefits from Bangabandhu-1

It is indeed a day of joy for Bangladeshis all around the world as the Bangabandhu-1, the first communication satellite of Bangladesh, has been successfully launched by US satellite launching company SpaceX from Florida. Bangladeshis’ hope was dashed for a day as this prestigious project could not be launched Friday night due to an auto abort some seconds before the final moment of launch. But the frustration was thankfully short-lived.

The cost for sending the satellite into the orbit is not small, around Tk 3,000 crore, and that Bangladesh is able to take this venture is itself a matter of achievement, in economic sense. Many countries have their communications satellites in the space and that also for a long time. Even in the nineties, we could not think of having our own communication satellite in the space. But now it is a reality, placing Bangladesh on the 57th position among countries to have this space facility.

The critics of Bangbandhu-1 who say that having our own satellite spending such a huge amount of money is a matter of luxury is not right on other counts also. Once successfully positioned in its place after 30 days, Bangladesh would be greatly benefitted from Bangabandhu-1. The satellite is fitted with 26 Ku-band and 14 C-band transponders with a considerable coverage area including Bangladesh and surrounding regions.

Positioned at 119.1° East and controlled from Joydevpur of Gazipur and Betbunia of Rangamati, the system will provide Ku-band coverage for Bangladesh and its territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia. It will also provide C-band capacity for the entire region. Satellite would help Bangladesh in territorial imaging of its land and sea regions and making forecast about natural calamities.

But the main benefit from the satellite would come for the country’s broadcasting channels. Currently, Bangladesh spends around USD 14 million annually on satellite rents for running its television channels, telephones and radio connectivity. Once it becomes operational, the satellite would save Tk. 110-Tk. 120 crore annually in foreign exchange as broadcasting expenditure. Bangladesh can also earn foreign currency if the satellite’s broadcasting capacity can be rented by other nations that do not have a communication satellite like this.

All this is possible for 15 years, the satellite’s capacity of operation in the space. By that time we may have more satellites in the space. Should it be wrong to dream of developing our own space technology now? Not really. With more economic success, we can be courageous to make possible what is now impossible.                 

 

Bangladeshs space age begins

Once successfully positioned, Bangladesh would acquire great benefits from Bangabandhu-1

It is indeed a day of joy for Bangladeshis all around the world as the Bangabandhu-1, the first communication satellite of Bangladesh, has been successfully launched by US satellite launching company SpaceX from Florida. Bangladeshis hope was dashed for a day as this prestigious project could not be launched Friday night due to an auto abort some seconds before the final moment of launch. But the frustration was thankfully short-lived. The cost for sending the satellite into the orbit is not small, around Tk 3,000 crore, and that Bangladesh is able to take this venture is itself a matter of achievement, in economic sense. Many countries have their communications satellites in the space and that also for a long time. Even in the nineties, we could not think of having our own communication satellite in the space. But now it is a reality, placing Bangladesh on the 57th position among countries to have this space facility. The critics of Bangbandhu-1 who say that having our own satellite spending such a huge amount of money is a matter of luxury is not right on other counts also. Once successfully positioned in its place after 30 days, Bangladesh would be greatly benefitted from Bangabandhu-1. The satellite is fitted with 26 Ku-band and 14 C-band transponders with a considerable coverage area including Bangladesh and surrounding regions. Positioned at 119.1 East and controlled from Joydevpur of Gazipur and Betbunia of Rangamati, the system will provide Ku-band coverage for Bangladesh and its territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia. It will also provide C-band capacity for the entire region. Satellite would help Bangladesh in territorial imaging of its land and sea regions and making forecast about natural calamities. But the main benefit from the satellite would come for the countrys broadcasting channels. Currently, Bangladesh spends around USD 14 million annually on satellite rents for running its television channels, telephones and radio connectivity. Once it becomes operational, the satellite would save Tk. 110-Tk. 120 crore annually in foreign exchange as broadcasting expenditure. Bangladesh can also earn foreign currency if the satellites broadcasting capacity can be rented by other nations that do not have a communication satellite like this. All this is possible for 15 years, the satellites capacity of operation in the space. By that time we may have more satellites in the space. Should it be wrong to dream of developing our own space technology now? Not really. With more economic success, we can be courageous to make possible what is now impossible.