#thenewscompany : The countdown for the much-sought launch of Bangladesh’s first satellite, Bangabandhu-1, has begun as all the necessary preparations in this regard have been completed. The authorities concerned, including Bangladesh delegation and SpaceX, held a review meeting in New York over the launching preparation on Wednesday morning (local time), reports #thenewscompany.
State Minister for Information Tarana Halim, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood attended the meeting.
After the meeting, Tarana Halim said, ‘SpaceX has informed us that the Bangabandhu-1 is ready for launching at the launching pad. If the weather remains favorable, the Bangabandhu-1 Satellite will be launched around 4:12 pm (local time).’
SpaceX is targeting launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 on Thursday, May 10 from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 4:42 p.m. EDT, or 20:42 UTC. Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will be deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) approximately 33 minutes after launch.
A backup launch window opens on Friday, May 11 at 4:14 p.m. EDT, or 20:14 UTC, and closes at 6:21 p.m. EDT, or 22:21 UTC.
The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission will be the first to utilize Falcon 9 Block 5, the final substantial upgrade to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Falcon 9 Block 5 is designed to be capable of 10 or more flights with very limited refurbishment as SpaceX continues to strive for rapid reusability and extremely high reliability.
Following stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.