Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited and Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos, have signed a memorandum of cooperation in relations to manufacturing and launching of Bangabandhu Satellite-2 Earth observation satellite system.

Dmitry Loskutov, CEO of Glavkosmos JSC, and Dr Shahjahan Mahmood, Chairman and CEO of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited, signed the memorandum on Wednesday. 

The two sides expressed their intentions to establish partnership relations to develop long-term, effective and mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of promotion of products and services of the Russian space industry in Bangladesh.

Also read: Bangabadhu satellite--2 to be launched in time: Mustafa Jabbar

That includes manufacturing and launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-2 Earth observation satellite system, manufacturing of ground infrastructure (satellite ground stations) for acquiring Earth observation data from the Russian and foreign spacecraft, launch services, educational programs in space domains, commercial orbital flights and consulting services, Glavkosmos said, quoting the document.

The memorandum of cooperation comes into effect from the moment of signing and will be valid until December 31, 2026.

Glavkosmos' main task is to promote the achievements of the Russian rocket and space industry to world markets and to manage complex international projects. 

During its more than thirty-five-year history, the company has successfully fulfilled over 140 international contracts, including the launch of more than 170 spacecraft as a secondary payload.

Since May 2021, Glavkosmos has been the official operator of Roscosmos trademarks.

Roscosmos is a state corporation established in August 2015 to carry out a comprehensive reform of the Russian rocket and space industry. 

Also read: Work on to build Bangabandhu Satellite-2: Mustafa Jabbar

Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited, a state-owned company, was established to ensure manufacturing, launch, control, marketing and sales of national satellite capacity with satellite ground stations.