French company Thales Alenia Space has completed the construction work of Bangabandhu-1 satellite, sources said. At present, the company has been carrying out some tests such as vibration tolerance, function of solar panels as a part of final checkout before the handover of the satellite. The tests will continue till the end of October.
Consultants of Banga-bandhu-1 satellite said, they will take Bangaban-dhu-1 satellite from France to the United State (US) for its launching in November next. The satellite has 40 transponders, of which 20 will be kept for commercial operation in the country. On the other hand, the local partner companies of Thales Alenia Space have almost completed the construction of the satellite's ground station. Sources further said, by July last, the company had done all mechanical works of the construction of Bangabandhu-1 satellite.
Since then, they are working for the beautification and conducting tests to find out any fault. The process will end by October. Meanwhile, the plan to launch the Bangabandhu-1 satellite to the space in December 16, has been changed. However, the date of the fresh date is yet confirmed. It will depend on the weather. But, according to people concerned to the project, the Bangabandhu-1 satellite will start functioning by the end of January.
Thales Alenia Space will look after the satellite for the first three years including local officials after it's launched. BTRC have started working on various issues including recruitment and creating a roadmap for the satellite's commercial operation. However, it is expected that the commercial function of the satellite will start in April, sources added.
Bangabandhu-1 satellite is valid for 15 years. And the total costs of the satellite have been estimated Tk 2967 crore. But people concerned said, the costs are slightly lower than projected. However, Bangladesh yet to receive any facilities from South Asian Satellite, which has been launched May last, due to set up of ground station of satellite's link download. As per the agreement on this satellite, Bangladesh-India signed MoU on March 23, 2107.
Bangladesh will use one of the twelve transponders containing lower power-energy. For this purpose, Bangladesh has to set up ground station of satellite's link download at its own money, which is almost ready. Using the ground station which Bangladesh is setting up for own satellite Bangabandhu-1, South Asian Satellite link can be downloaded. A senior official of BTRC said, Bangladesh will get facilities from South Asian Satellite after the completion of the ground station of Bangabandhu-1 satellite which has almost be done.
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