Introduction
Bangabandhu-1, also known as the Bangladesh Communication Satellite-1, is the first Bangladeshi communication satellite. It was launched on May 11, 2018 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States, and is currently in operation providing telecommunications services to Bangladesh and the surrounding region.
The satellite was named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh, and is operated by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). It has a lifespan of 15 years and is capable of providing broadband internet, television, and telephone services to remote and underserved areas of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu-1 is a major milestone for the country of Bangladesh, as it marks the country's entry into the space age and provides it with the ability to offer advanced telecommunications services to its citizens. It was funded in part by the Bangladesh government and in part by loans from international organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In addition to its telecommunications capabilities, Bangabandhu-1 also has a number of scientific and research applications. It is equipped with several payloads, including an Earth observation camera, which can be used for remote sensing and environmental monitoring.
Overall, Bangabandhu-1 is a significant achievement for Bangladesh and demonstrates the country's commitment to technological advancement and economic development. It is expected to have a major impact on the lives of people in Bangladesh and the surrounding region, providing them with access to vital communication services and enabling them to participate more fully in the global economy.
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| BSCL: Bangabandhu-1 satellite earned 300C in 3 years, rumours untrue (dhakatribune.com) |
Construction
Bangabandhu-1 was constructed by the French aerospace manufacturer Thales Alenia Space. The satellite was based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform, which is a reliable and proven design that has been used for many other communication satellites.
The construction of Bangabandhu-1 began in 2015, and the satellite was completed in 2017. It was then shipped to the United States for testing and final preparations before its launch in May 2018.
The satellite has a mass of 3,600 kilograms and is equipped with a number of payloads, including transponders for providing telecommunications services and an Earth observation camera for remote sensing and environmental monitoring. It also has a propulsion system and thrusters for maintaining its position in geostationary orbit, as well as solar panels for generating electricity.
Overall, the construction of Bangabandhu-1 involved the integration of a number of complex systems and components, and required the expertise and skills of a team of engineers and technicians. The satellite was subject to rigorous testing and quality assurance processes to ensure that it was ready for operation in space.
Type of the satellite
Bangabandhu-1 is a geostationary communication satellite. This means that it is placed in a special orbit approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface, where it remains stationary relative to a specific location on the Earth's surface. From this position, the satellite can provide telecommunications services, such as broadband internet, television, and telephone, to a specific geographic region.
Bangabandhu-1 is a type of satellite known as a "bent-pipe" satellite, which means that it receives signals from the Earth, amplifies them, and then retransmits them back to the Earth. It is equipped with a number of transponders, which are electronic devices that are used to receive and transmit the signals.
In addition to its telecommunications capabilities, Bangabandhu-1 also has a number of scientific and research applications. It is equipped with an Earth observation camera, which can be used for remote sensing and environmental monitoring.
Overall, Bangabandhu-1 is a versatile satellite that is capable of providing a range of services to Bangladesh and the surrounding region. Its construction and operation have been a major achievement for the country of Bangladesh, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of people in the region by providing them with access to advanced communication technologies.
Is Bangabandhu satellite really useful for Bangladesh?
Since its launch, Bangabandhu-1 has been in operation and has provided a range of services to Bangladesh, including broadband internet, television, and telephone services. It has also been used for scientific and research purposes, such as remote sensing and environmental monitoring.
Overall, Bangabandhu-1 has been a major achievement for Bangladesh and has been widely regarded as a useful and valuable resource for the country. It has provided Bangladesh with the ability to offer advanced telecommunications services to its citizens, and has enabled the country to participate more fully in the global economy.
The satellite has a lifespan of 15 years and is expected to continue providing services to Bangladesh and the surrounding region for the foreseeable future. It is a key component of Bangladesh's infrastructure and is an important resource for the country's economic and social development.
