Bangabandhu satellite -1

 SpaceX and Thales help Bangladesh launch into the space-age!

Alternates:

Better late than never, Bangladesh in orbit!

Another country joins the space age, Bangladesh becomes #57.

Bangladesh joins the space age with the Bangabandhu-1 communications satellite Bangabandhu-1 communications satellite thrusts Bangladesh into the space age!

 

Overview:

·         Bangabandhu-1 is the first satellite for Bangladesh

·         Built by Thales Alenia Space

·         Launched by SpaceX in 2018

·         40 transponders/1,600 mhz

 

Introduction:

On May 11, 2018, a SpaceX rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying Bangabandhu- 1, the first satellite for Bangladesh. Not only did the SpaceX rocket launch a satellite, it launched Bangladesh into the space age. This is a growing trend in the region, a desire for self- reliance and increased self-sufficiency.

Bangabandhu-1 is the first communication and broadcast satellite of Bangladesh. The successful insertion of Bangabandhu-1 into geo-stationary orbit greatly reduces Bangladesh’s reliance on other countries for satellite communication and broadcast.

 

Bangladesh became the 57th country in the world to be a space-faring nation when the satellite was launched half way around the world from Kennedy Space Center by SpaceX. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Atlantic coast of the United States, on May 11th, 2018 prior to the successful insertion into GEO orbit.

 

Bangabandhu-1 communication satellite transponders are in the C band(qty 14), Ku

band(qty 26) providing coverage across all of Bangladesh and nearby region. The coverage extends outward to include the Bay of Bengal, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, East Indian states (West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachhal Pradeah) and Indonesia.

 

Background:

 

Many countries leverage other nation’s satellites, and Bangladesh was no exception.

In 2008, it was decided that that dependence should come to an end and a committee was formed.

 

In 2014, the country became a member of International Communication Union or ITU’s Asia- Pacific Council. Coming late the space race, Bangladesh’s options for orbital slots was compromised.

 

Bangladesh submitted an application for the 102 degrees east orbital slot, but other countries had applied for it long before it did. The membership with the ITU did not help. Bangladesh had to find an alternative when ITU rejected its application for the 102 degrees east orbital slot.

 

In 2015, Bangladesh has formally signed a contract to rent orbital slot. The orbital slot was rented from Moscow-based Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communication for 45 years. The Bangabandhu-1 is now occupying this orbital slot at 119.1 degrees east.

 

Then in 2017 an organization called 'Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited' was formed for the overall management of satellite satellites. Initially, the company provided Tk 5,000 crore for satellite.

Bangladesh has also applied for allotment of 100 degrees east and 74 degrees east orbital slots to the ITU. IT and Telecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar says they are planning to keep one of these slots for ‘Bangabandhu-2’.  The future allocation of these slots

 

Naming:

 Bangabandhu satellite was named after the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. To further celebrate the sense of national pride that Bangabandhu-1 inspires, the name has been written in English on the red-green flag color designs. The colors are the national colors of Bangladesh.

 

Launch:

After launching the Bangabandhu-1 Satellite, successfully launched Bangabandhu-1 satellite on May 11, 2018. Bangabandhu-1 started taking preliminary signals from Bangladesh on 12 May, 018.

 

Satellite station:

The satellite will be controlled from one of land stations in Bangledesh, Joydebpur of Gazipur district and at Batubani in Rangamati. The primary station of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will be Joydebpur. The backup station will be Rangamati Betbunia. These satellite ground control stations are planned to be leveraged for future satellites.

 

Satellite Benefits:

 

Key benefits can be found from Bangabandhu Satellite.

 

1.      Bangadesh TV channels rented satellite bandwidth for their broadcast activities. Now that revenue can be kept internal to Bangladesh.

2.      Selling the surplus capacity of the Bangabandhu-1 satellite channel will earn additional revenues from South Asia countries around Bangladesh including, Indonesia, Philippines, Turkmenistan and others.

3.      Internet access to more remote areas of Bangadesh is now possible. Bangabandhu-1 satellite can be used in the remote areas for internet and banking services, telemedicine and remote education system.

4.      Communication during the frequent devastating tropical cyclones will be greatly improved. During these major natural disasters, traditional mobile networks typically

become incapacitated. With Bangabandhu-1 there will be improved communication in the affected areas can continue via satellite.

 

In Bangladesh at present, about 30 television channels are using foreign satellites. Estimates place costs about one and a half million rupees annually. Bangabandhu satellite reduce dependency abroad. Direct to Home(DTH) services and internet will be used through Bangabandhu-1.

 

Companies like Beximco Communications Limited will leverage Bangabandhu-1 for bringing satellite television and high definition channel connections. This service brings with it a promise to prove high quality picture and sound.

 

	Country Active Satellites Percentage of total USA 883 43% China 296 14% Russia 150 7% Japan 79 4% Multinational 63 3% UK 60 3% India 57 3% ESA 49 2% Canada 37 2% Germany 33 2% Luxembourg 33 2% Other 322 16% Total                                        2062

 

March 31st 2019 total summary of data extracted from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the Satellite Database is a listing of the more than 2000 operational satellites currently in orbit around Earth.

 

Conclusion:

Bangabandhu-1 is the first satellite for Bangladesh, and has brought a sense of national pride to the country. The honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh is very proud to launch the satellite and said:

 

“Through the satellite we will be able to know the whole world and our children will be able to learn about space and nuclear technology, marine science and other areas of science, culture and nature which will be useful for them as well as the country's development,”

 

It is anticipated that this satellite will bring Bangladesh more development in the coming years. Editing by Bill D’Zio  May 2019