Feasibility study underway for Bangladesh’s second satellite: Minister

Bangladesh’s second satellite project, planned as an Earth Observation Satellite, is now under review, with a feasibility study underway to assess its economic viability and operational effectiveness, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam told Parliament on Wednesday.

Responding to a written question from National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker Md Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah, the minister said the successful launch of the country’s first satellite, Bangladesh Satellite-1, has enabled the transmission of all government and private television channels, Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, VSAT services, the sale of satellite bandwidth abroad, and the provision of emergency telecommunications during disasters.

He said work is currently underway to launch the country’s next satellite as an Earth Observation Satellite, which is expected to enhance agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, maritime vessel tracking, the blue economy and national maritime security.

The minister also presented financial data of the state-owned Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL), showing that commercial operations of Bangladesh Satellite-1 generated a total revenue of Tk 764.10 crore and a cumulative net profit of Tk 163.97 crore over the past five fiscal years.

According to the figures, BSCL earned Tk 187.07 crore in revenue and posted a net profit of Tk 38.36 crore in FY2024-25, compared to Tk 169.56 crore in revenue and Tk 29.64 crore in profit in FY2023-24.

In FY2022-23, the company recorded revenue of Tk 147.99 crore but incurred a net loss of Tk 73.57 crore. Earlier, it posted profits of Tk 85.29 crore and Tk 84.25 crore in FY2021-22 and FY2020-21 respectively, with revenues of Tk 130.36 crore and Tk 129.11 crore.

The minister explained that the satellite asset was formally transferred to BSCL on June 30, 2022. As a result, depreciation costs were not included in profit calculations for FY2020-21 and FY2021-22, but were incorporated from FY2022-23 onward, affecting profitability.

Regarding plans for a second satellite, he said the government has contacted several internationally reputed satellite manufacturers, which expressed interest in collaborating on the project.

Anam said proposals have so far been received from three companies and are currently undergoing evaluation and analysis.

To ensure the project’s economic justification and effectiveness, the government has initiated a feasibility study in line with its directives. Further decisions on the launch of a second satellite will be taken after the study results are reviewed, the minister added.