On May 12th, 2018, Bangladesh made history by launching its first satellite into space under the name of the nation. However, while the satellite bears Bangladesh's name, it was designed and manufactured by France's renowned aerospace manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space, and launched by America's prominent space research company, SpaceX.

Despite these partnerships, questions arise as to whether Bangladesh pursued independent efforts beyond the initial launch.

Originally scheduled for launch in 2023 with Russian cooperation, the second satellite, "Bangabandhu-2 Satellite," faced setbacks due to the Russia-Ukraine war, leading to various sanctions against Russia by the Western world. Consequently, Russia's inability to import necessary components hindered satellite construction and launch.

As a result, the launch of "Bangabandhu-2 Satellite" with Russia remains on hold, pending further review by the Bangladesh government of the war's implications and the overall situation. However, it has been decided once again that "Bangabandhu-2 Satellite" will be launched in collaboration with another renowned French company, Airbus. The new development in this case is that Airbus will not only construct and launch the satellite but will also assist in developing skilled manpower. This initiative aims to enable Bangladesh to conduct research and development independently in the future, fostering self-reliance in space exploration.

Different companies presented various offers. For instance, Airbus proposed satellite production within Bangladesh, followed by launching from another location, while Thales Alenia expressed interest solely in providing training. Consequently, the project was awarded to Airbus of France to facilitate satellite construction within the country.

A continuation of this endeavor is feasible with the projected launch of "Bangabandhu-2 Satellite" by the middle of next year.

Initially, "Bangabandhu-1 Satellite" served as a Geostationary Communications and Broadcasting Satellite, primarily utilized for Earth observation. In contrast, the "Bangabandhu-2 Satellite" will assist various critical state agencies, notably the Bangladesh Military, in monitoring the extensive land surface of Bangladesh. This advancement directly enhances national security and provides invaluable information for diverse military operations.

Nevertheless, the focus should not solely be on research areas with the potential budget for both satellite production and launch. Instead, the goal should be to empower the people of Bangladesh to engage in various research activities within the country's borders, following adequate education and skill acquisition.

Suggested Citation: Mahdi, T. (2024, May 7). Why are there delays in Bangladesh's research and development in the space program? Available at: Sites.google.com/view/t-mahdi/articles-and-reports/why-are-there-delays-in-bangladeshs-research-and-development-in-the-space