BSS, Dhaka :
State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim on Friday revealed that 50 percent works of Bangladesh’s first satellite “Bangabandhu-I” has been completed.
“So far 83 percent engineering works of the Bangabandhu-I has been done while progress of antenna manufacture is 56 percent and works of communication and service modules reported 65 percent development,” said the minister.
Tarana Halim disclosed the development while briefing newsmen about the satellite and optical fiber network of BTCL at BTCL Gulshan-1 Exchange Office.
Referring to the completion of satellite system requirement review (SRR) preliminary design review (PDR), she said: “We would start the commercial operation of the satellite in March 2018 after launching it to the space on December 16 next year.”
If the current pace of work is continued, manufacture of the satellite would be completed in November 2017, said the state minister, adding, “The satellite would be launched using vehicle -SpaceX and Falcon 9 -of United States from the Cape Carnival Launch Pad.”
She said that necessary examination and exercise, especially integration of Falcon-9 for launching the satellite would be conducted before one month of launch at the SpaceX. To this end, constructing firm Thales Alenia Space of France would be handed over the satellite to the Cape Carnival after testing and review, added Tarana.
Satellite Project Director Golam Razzaque said nearly two months time is needed for preparation at launch pad before the final launch. He also expressed his confidence to launch the satellite on time. The state minister also said nearly 40 percent physical construction of the ground station has been completed while remaining working is expected to end soon. She announced that Thales Alenia would complete the procurement of the equipment for ground station in November.
The Primary ground station of the satellite is constructing in BTCL Staff College compound in Gazipur while the secondary one is at Betbunia in Rangamati.
On November 11 last year, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) struck nearly Taka 2,000 crore deal with Thales Alenia for satellite system procurement. To this end, BTRC signed a loan agreement of nearly Taka 1,400 crore with HSBC on September.
Turning on the optical fiber network of BTCL in Upazila and union parishad level, the state minister said BTCL has so far laid 13,000 km fiber optic cable against the target of 22,000km.
Mentioning that another 1,300km fiber optic cable has been installed through another project, Tarana Halim hoped BRCL could able to expand broadband connectivity using the cable.
State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim on Friday revealed that 50 percent works of Bangladesh’s first satellite “Bangabandhu-I” has been completed.
“So far 83 percent engineering works of the Bangabandhu-I has been done while progress of antenna manufacture is 56 percent and works of communication and service modules reported 65 percent development,” said the minister.
Tarana Halim disclosed the development while briefing newsmen about the satellite and optical fiber network of BTCL at BTCL Gulshan-1 Exchange Office.
Referring to the completion of satellite system requirement review (SRR) preliminary design review (PDR), she said: “We would start the commercial operation of the satellite in March 2018 after launching it to the space on December 16 next year.”
If the current pace of work is continued, manufacture of the satellite would be completed in November 2017, said the state minister, adding, “The satellite would be launched using vehicle -SpaceX and Falcon 9 -of United States from the Cape Carnival Launch Pad.”
She said that necessary examination and exercise, especially integration of Falcon-9 for launching the satellite would be conducted before one month of launch at the SpaceX. To this end, constructing firm Thales Alenia Space of France would be handed over the satellite to the Cape Carnival after testing and review, added Tarana.
Satellite Project Director Golam Razzaque said nearly two months time is needed for preparation at launch pad before the final launch. He also expressed his confidence to launch the satellite on time. The state minister also said nearly 40 percent physical construction of the ground station has been completed while remaining working is expected to end soon. She announced that Thales Alenia would complete the procurement of the equipment for ground station in November.
The Primary ground station of the satellite is constructing in BTCL Staff College compound in Gazipur while the secondary one is at Betbunia in Rangamati.
On November 11 last year, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) struck nearly Taka 2,000 crore deal with Thales Alenia for satellite system procurement. To this end, BTRC signed a loan agreement of nearly Taka 1,400 crore with HSBC on September.
Turning on the optical fiber network of BTCL in Upazila and union parishad level, the state minister said BTCL has so far laid 13,000 km fiber optic cable against the target of 22,000km.
Mentioning that another 1,300km fiber optic cable has been installed through another project, Tarana Halim hoped BRCL could able to expand broadband connectivity using the cable.
