DHAKA: The ‘Bangabandhu-1’ satellite, the first satellite of the country, will be launched on May 10 this year as per fresh schedule.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) senior assistant director Md Zakir Hossain Khan told Banglanews on Monday (May 7).

The launching time is set at 4 pm (Florida local time).

The satellite will be launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral after inaugurating it by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Dhaka.

The satellite will be sent into orbit by a rocket ‘Falcon-9’ of Space X of United States.

Bangladesh will become the 57th satellite-owning country after launching the Bangabandhu-1 satellite in the orbital slot on 119.1 degrees east longitude.

The satellite will be control from Bangladesh. Therefore, construction work of two ground stations, one in Gazipur's Joydebpur and the other in Rangamati's Betbunia, are close to finish.

It is expected to save Tk 125 crore a year that is currently spent on renting foreign satellites.

BDST: 1255 HRS, MAY 7, 2018

AH/SMS