'88pc construction work of Bangabandhu Satellite completed'

Staff Correspondent, Gazipur: We keep trying to complete the construction work of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 following the target date we have set for its launching, said Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim.

Almost 88 percent work of the ground stations of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 at Gazipur and Bethbunia in Rangamati have already been completed. 95 percent work of the building's structure has been completed, she said after visiting a ground station of the satellite in Gazipur on Saturday noon.

Tarana Halim said they will begin testing the ground stations of the satellite in September this year.

All works of the ground stations will be fully completed by October, she hoped."Bangabandhu Sattelite-1 will be launched from Florida in the USA in December, and its commercial operation will start in April next year," Tarana Halim said.

The satellite is built with 40 transponders and among those Bangladesh will use 20, and the rest will be sold to other countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Saarc countries, she said.

The Cabinet Division recently decided to form 'Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited' to operate the satellite, she added.

A team of French company, Thales Alenia Space of Cannes, will operate the satellite in the first three years after launching it, and train up Bangladeshi technicians, she said.

Officials at the Bangabandhu Sattelite Company and Ministry for Posts and Telecommunications were present during her visit to Gazipur.

risingbd/Gazipur/July 15, 2017/Hasmot Ali/Amirul