The Bangabandhu-1 satellite will be commercially launched by June next year, State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said today.

“More than 85 percent work of the satellite has been completed. It will be sent into orbit in December this year or January next year if the weather remains in favour,” Minister Tarana told a press conference at her ministry office today.

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The minister informed the reporters after her recent visit to France in this regard.

Thales Alenia Space, a French aerospace manufacturer, is manufacturing the satellite with a cost of Tk 2,967 crore.

The satellite, meant for communication and broadcast services, is so far the most sophisticated technological project undertaken by Bangladesh.

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Bangladesh bought the orbital slot from Intersputnik, a Russian satellite company, for $28 million.