Bangabandhu-1, the first commercial satellite of the country, will be sent into orbit May 5 (Bangladesh time) and it will be ready for use in three months after the launch.

The date was confirmed from the launching station in Florida, US this morning, Telecom and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar told The Daily Star.

This date is final and will not be changed further, the minister added.

Preparations for countrywide celebrations centering the launch are already underway, he further said.