SpaceX, the US-based private space transportation company handling the launch of Bangladesh’s first geostationary communications satellite Bangabandhu-1 into orbit, has assured that the rocket is scheduled to be launched early today.
The assurance came after the original launch was aborted by the rocket’s flight control system less than a minute before take-off due to a technical glitch.
“The satellite is entirely operated by computers, there is no scope for manual operations. The launch was aborted due to a technical glitch,” said Dr Shahjahan Mahmood, the BTRC chairman, while taking to reporters at a Florida hotel on Friday.
“There is no problem with the satellite or the rocket, but there might be some problems in the ground system … there are precedents of a satellite launch succeeding after six attempts.”
The BTRC chief also dismissed the notion of financial losses.
In addition to successful attempts at satellite launches, there are stories about failures as well.
However, as the Bangabandhu-1 is insured against any possible accidental damage during launch, Bangladesh will not suffer any losses in this regard, said Md Saiful Islam, managing director of Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Ltd.
“If any accident occurs, Thales Alenia Space, the manufacturer, will bear the losses,” he said. “We will not incur any losses or pay extra if the launch is delayed.”
The issue of insurance is included in the responsibilities of Thales Alenia, Saiful added.
This article was first published on banglatribune.com
