Bangabandhu Satellite

In this day and age, I'm sure we all know what satellite is-a machine that is launched in space and move around the earth.

Though satellite isn't particularly a new topic, the amazing facts behind its history, functions and prospects are quite astounding.

First, let us delve into some important functions which satellites can perform. Satellites can take pictures across distances ranging from any corner of the Earth to as far away as other planets, stars, galaxies and even black holes and dark matter, allowing scientists to better study about our universe. Before the advent of satellites, TV signals didn't go very far. As TV signals travel only in straight lines, they would quickly trail off into space instead of following Earth's curves. Often tall mountains or high-rise buildings would block them. Even cell communication was quite limited. But with satellites, TV signals, phone calls can directly be sent to the satellites where they would instantly be sent back down to different locations on Earth. Satellites are some of the best sources of data for climate change research as well as enabling meteorologists to see weather on a global scale from volcanic eruptions to the development of hurricanes.

According to a 2018 estimate, around 4,900 satellites remain in the Earth's orbit.

Artificial satellites, however, did not become a reality until the mid-20th century. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite. This Russian beach-ball size space probe was known as the Sputnik 1. This act shocked much of the western world as it was believed that the Soviets were not capable of such a feat. At that time, Sputnik-1 helped to identify the density of high atmosphere and provided data regarding the Earth's ionosphere. The unprecedented success of Sputnik-1 sparked the 50-called "Space Race which continued until the 1960s.

The United States Explorer-1 ventured into space on January 31, 1958. Soon, other countries too started sending their own satellites into space. On 20:14 UTC (Local time 2:14 am) May 11, 2018 a particular satellite was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida. Can you guess which satellite that was? Yes, it was our very own Bangabandhu Satellite-1 named after the Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The country's first geostationary communication satellite will firstly help expansion of internet and telecommunication services in remote and rugged areas which still remained beyond the coverage.

There are more than 750 Union Parishads in the country where there is no internet connectivity and it is intended to ensure broadband internet with this satellite over there. The satellite will offer Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, making people's access to worldwide TV faster and easier. DTH services always provide faster access to worldwide television entertainment and now they will have an easier and faster access to global TV entertainment through Bangabandhu-1.

It will also make video distribution easier as well as enabling broadcasters to effortlessly distribute their content to intermediaries like cable TV network operators or re-broadcasters like DTH operators.

Moreover, BS-1 will have VSAT private networks consisting of voice, data, video and internet services to the banks, corporate offices etc.

The Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited is trying to sell out some of its transponders to the foreign nations, particularly to Indonesia and Philippines and save foreign currency that the local television channels now need to spend for their service from others satellite especially for the broadcasting industry. Currently, there are 37 satellite television channels in the country and they have to spend about $14 million every year for using transponders of Apstar-7 and Asia set satellites. To further boost our economy, the company also targeted to rent out half of its total 40 transponders having a total 1,440 MHz frequency. The commercial potential of BS-1 is coming into being as all 37 local channels are set to start transmission through it from October 2, 2019.

Bangladesh has become the 57th country to join the exclusive club of satellite-owning countries after the successful launch of the BS-1 into the orbital slot on 119.1 degree east longitude. Experts, policy makers and people related with the country's most sophisticated project said this satellite will give extra pace to the digitalization process and at the same time the country will earn a huge amount of respect from foreign nations after its successful journey.

With the miniaturisation of computers, it's now possible to send up much smaller satellites that can do all the usual functions.

It's now common for companies and universities to create "Cube Sets" or cube-shaped satellites that frequently populate low-Earth orbit.

BRAC University has launched the country's first nano - satellite last year. After launching the satellite successfully, experts have opined that through the adoption of this space technology many more digital investments will come in the country.

Therefore, the prospect of using satellites for further research and global monitoring as well as realizing Vision 2021 - Digital Bangladesh is still bright.