Bangladesh’s First Telecommunications Satellite Launched Successfully

On January 15, 2015 the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and Intersputnik signed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a contract for the use of frequencies at 119.1°E. Cooperation between the two parties is not limited to the orbit and spectrum resource. Intersputnik also shares its practical experience and provides consulting services.

Bangabandhu-1 is based on a new-generation platform named Spacebus 4000B2. Both the satellite and the ground satellite infrastructure in Gazipur and Rangamati were built by Thales Alenia Space (France and Italy). The satellite will be controlled by a specially established operator – Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited.

Bangabandhu-1 lifted off Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 11, 2018 atop SpaceX’s new Block 5 version of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle to reach 119.1°E, where it will use Intersputnik’s frequency assignments.

The satellite carries 14 C-band and 26 Ku-band transponders. When placed in service, the first national satellite will allow the People’s Republic of Bangladesh extra opportunities to bridge the digital gap and fulfill a number of social tasks, including emergency relief. Bangabandhu-1 will provide telecommunications, video and audio broadcasting over South and South-East Asian countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.