# Bangladesh Satellite-1 > first Bangladeshi geostationary communications satellite **Wikidata**: [Q4855000](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4855000) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Satellite-1) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bangladesh-satellite-1 ## Summary Bangladesh Satellite-1 (also known as Bangabandhu Satellite-1) is the first geostationary communications satellite owned by Bangladesh. Launched on May 11, 2018, it was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space and deployed into orbit using a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. The satellite provides telecommunications services with a designed operational lifespan of 15 years. ## Key Facts - **Classification:** It is defined as both a communications satellite and a geostationary satellite. - **Launch Date:** May 11, 2018, at 20:14 UTC. - **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (specific core B1046), launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. - **Manufacturer:** Thales Alenia Space. - **Owner:** Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited. - **Operator:** Thales Alenia Space. - **Mass:** 3,500 kilograms (launch weight). - **Design Life:** 15 years. - **Spacecraft Bus:** Spacebus-4000B2. - **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit. - **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2018-044A; SCN 43463. ## FAQs ### Q: When was Bangladesh Satellite-1 launched? A: Bangladesh Satellite-1 was launched on May 11, 2018, at 20:14 UTC aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 from the Kennedy Space Center. ### Q: Who built and operates Bangladesh Satellite-1? A: The satellite was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space using the Spacebus-4000B2 platform. While it is owned by the Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited, Thales Alenia Space is listed as the operator. ### Q: What is the significance of the satellite's name? A: The satellite was originally named "Bangabandhu-1" (Bangabandhu Satellite-1) after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Sources indicate a transition in naming, with "Bangladesh Satellite-1" designated as the official name starting in 2025. ### Q: How long is the satellite designed to operate? A: The satellite has a design life of 15 years. It is powered by two solar arrays generating 6,000 watts of power and utilizes an S400 propulsion system. ## Why It Matters Bangladesh Satellite-1 represents a milestone in the national development of Bangladesh as it marked the country's entry into the exclusive club of nations possessing independent geostationary satellite capability. Prior to this launch, Bangladesh relied on leased satellite capacity from other nations; this satellite provides the country with autonomous control over its own telecommunications infrastructure, reducing dependency on foreign operators. The project is also historically significant in the aerospace industry because its launch on May 11, 2018, marked the maiden flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. The Block 5 version is the final iteration of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, designed for rapid reusability and increased performance. Therefore, the satellite serves as a critical datapoint for both national sovereignty in communications and the evolution of commercial space launch technology. ## Notable For - **First National Satellite:** It is the first geostationary communications satellite owned by the country of Bangladesh. - **Falcon 9 Block 5 Debut:** The launch utilized the first flight (B1046) of the SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle. - **Naming Transition:** It is notable for a formal name transition from "Bangabandhu-1" to "Bangladesh Satellite-1" scheduled for 2025. - **High Launch Mass:** At 3,500 kg, it is a substantial spacecraft based on the Spacebus-4000B2 platform. ## Body ### Development and Manufacturing Bangladesh Satellite-1 was constructed by **Thales Alenia Space**, a European aerospace manufacturer. The satellite is based on the **Spacebus-4000B2** platform, a geostationary communications bus standard. The project was contracted to provide telecommunications services to the country of **Bangladesh**, which owns the asset through the **Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited**. ### Technical Specifications The spacecraft has a launch mass of **3,500 kilograms**. It is designed to operate for a **service life of 15 years** in geostationary orbit. * **Power Systems:** The satellite is powered by two solar arrays (spacecraft solar arrays) with a generation capacity of **6,000 watts**. * **Propulsion:** It utilizes a single **S400** liquid apogee engine for orbital maneuvers. * **Identifiers:** The satellite is tracked under COSPAR ID **2018-044A** and SatCat Number **43463**. ### Launch Details The satellite was launched on **May 11, 2018**, at **20:14** UTC. The launch site was **Launch Complex 39A** at the Kennedy Space Center. * **Launch Vehicle:** The launch contractor was **SpaceX**, which used a **Falcon 9 Block 5** rocket. * **Rocket Serial:** The specific first-stage booster used was **B1046**. This mission served as the debut flight for the Block 5 variant of the Falcon 9. ### Naming and Identity The satellite has been identified by several aliases, including **BS-1** and **Bangabandhu1**. * **Original Naming:** Initially named **Bangabandhu Satellite-1** (Native label: বঙ্গবন্ধু-১), it was named after **Sheikh Mujibur Rahman** (Bangabandhu). This naming convention was valid from the launch in 2018 until 2025. * **Renaming:** Structured data indicates that the naming dedication shifts to **Bangladesh** (Native label: বাংলাদেশ স্যাটেলাইট–১) starting in **2025**. Consequently, the entity is now referred to as **Bangladesh Satellite-1**. ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bangabandhu-1.htm) 2. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_bangabandhu_1.html) 3. Jonathan's Space Report 4. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/bangabandhu-1-launch-spacexs-affordable-space/)