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 JabbarThat 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 JabbarBangladesh 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.

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar has said the proposed Bangabandhu Satellite-2 would be launched to space in time. “All preparations have been completed to launch Bangabandhu Satellite-2 into space within the stipulated time under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said. The minister said this while addressing a discussion at a city’s hotel on Thursday night, said a PID handout on Friday. Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) arranged the function on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the broadcasting of the country’s private satellite television channels through Bangabandhu Satellite-1. Read: Work on to build Bangabandhu Satellite-2: Mustafa Jabbar Mustafa said the Posts and Telecommunications Division started works to send the Bangabandhu Satellite-2 into space, introduce 5G network and install third submarine cable connectivity in a bid to implement the pledges made in the election manifesto. He expressed hope that the works would be completed within the stipulated time. The minister said Bangladesh became the 57th country that launched the first satellite by sending Bangabandhu satellite-1 to space. He said 2021 is the final year of the country’s transformation into Digital Bangladesh as per the pledge made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 12, 2008.  He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sowed the seeds of Digital Bangladesh, by setting up a ground satellite centre at Betbunia, acquiring the ITU and IPU membership, establishing T&T Board and introducing technology-based education. Read: Mustafa Jabbar for tough action against digital criminals Mustafa said the prime minister provided licenses to four mobile operator companies breaking monopoly business in this sector, withdrew VAT and tax on computers, introduced the internet through VSAT, and has been working to establish Bangladesh as a software export country. "Everyone is proud to be able to use their country's satellite," he said. Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud also spoke at the function as the chief guest, while PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus as the special guest. Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Afzal Hossain, President of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) Anjan Chowdhury were virtually present at the event presided over by BSCL chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood.

The Bangladesh government has already taken the initiative to build and launch Bangabandhu Satellite-2, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar has said. "Work has already started to implement the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-2. The government is determined to develop and launch the satellite within the stipulated time, as promised in our party's election manifesto," the Minister said on Wednesday night. Also read: Regulator shouldn't allow monopoly in MFS: Mustafa Jabbar He was speaking at a virtual event organised by Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) to mark the fourth anniversary of the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1. "Experts are working to determine whether Bangabandhu Satellite-2 will be a communication satellite or an earth observation or weather satellite," the Minister said. Other speakers at the event hailed Bangabandhu Satellite-1 as a milestone in the space history of Bangladesh and also discussed its success and benefits. "May 12, 2018, was the day to fulfill the dream of Bengalis to conquer space. On that day, the country's first communication satellite Bangabandhu Satellite-1 was launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Station in the US. Bangladesh has been enlisted as the 57th satellite-launching nation in the world," the Minister said. Also read: Bangladesh no longer needs to import 4G handsets: Mustafa Jabbar   BSCL Chairman Shahjahan Mahmud presided over the virtual event, while BSCL acting Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Hannan presented the key address.

Bangladesh is getting ready to launch its second satellite "Bangabandhu Satellite-2" by 2023.

France is interested to cooperate with Bangladesh in launching Bangabandhu Satellite-2 into space, said newly-appointed French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marin Schuh on Wednesday.