Mustafa Jabbar: Work on to build Bangabandhu Satellite 2

The Bangladesh government has already taken the initiative to build and launch Bangabandhu Satellite 2, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar has said.

"Work has already started to implement the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite 2. The government is determined to develop and launch the satellite within the stipulated time, as promised in our party's election manifesto," the minister said on Wednesday night.

He was speaking at a virtual event organized by Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) to mark the fourth anniversary of the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite 1, reported UNB.

"Experts are working to determine whether Bangabandhu Satellite 2 will be a communication satellite or an earth observation or weather satellite," the minister said.

Other speakers at the event hailed Bangabandhu Satellite 1 as a milestone in the space history of Bangladesh and also discussed its success and benefits.

"May 12, 2018, was the day to fulfil the dream of Bangalis to conquer space. On that day, the country's first communication satellite, Bangabandhu Satellite 1, was launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Station in the US. Bangladesh has been enlisted as the 57th satellite-launching nation in the world," the minister said.

BSCL Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood presided over the virtual event, while BSCL acting Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Hannan presented the key address.

Bangabandhu Satellite 1 launch

French manufacturer Thales Alenia Space launched Bangabandhu Satellite 1 in May 12 from Florida of America at a cost of Tk2,765 crore, and according to the plan, it will reach break-even within seven years of starting its commercial service.

Located at the 119.1 east geostationary slot, Bangabandhu Satellite 1 would cover the Saarc countries and Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkestan and a part of Kazakhstan.

The coverage is the strongest in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, for which these six countries had initially been chosen for business.

BCSCL had hired international consultancy firm Thaicom for two years to run marketing and sale of the connectivity of Bangabandhu Satellite 1 in six countries, including four neighbours. The Thai firm is currently active in around 20 countries.

The satellite’s operations include “direct-to-home” service for TV channels, VSAT (very small aperture terminal), backhaul and network restoration, disaster preparedness and relief and many others.