[🇧🇩] Space Program in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Mongol-Tori Phoenix: BRAC University’s next-generation Mars rover

Mongol-Tori’s Phoenix, a next-generation Mars rover from BRAC University (BRACU), has secured a spot in the finals of the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2024.

www.thedailystar.net

Mongol-Tori Phoenix: BRAC University's next-generation Mars rover

Photos: Courtesy

Mongol-Tori's Phoenix, a next-generation Mars rover from BRAC University (BRACU), has secured a spot in the finals of the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2024, which will take place at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. The rover, which might alongside human explorers on the red planet someday, can retrieve objects, complete autonomous traversal missions, collect visual data, perform planetary analysis, detect the presence of life by conducting biosignature tests, and help astronauts with equipment servicing.

The Mongol-Tori team is supervised by their advisor, Dr Md Khalilur Rahman, an associate professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Department of BRACU.

"We can't forget our constant source of support, Dr Khalilur sir, our team advisor, for always being there for us and helping us whenever we need it," said Mongol-Tori's team lead Al Mahir Ahmed. Apart from the supervisor and team lead, the innovative minds directly associated with Mongol-Tori include co-team lead Sanzim Khan, and sub-team leaders Zaiyan Azad Moslem (electronics), Rafid Khan (network and vision), Sheikh Ayatur Rahman (AI and autonomous systems), and Samiha Tashin (science mission).

Al Mahir is responsible for all technical aspects of the rover, focusing on control and autonomous systems. His role involves developing and implementing algorithms and software architectures crucial for the rover's navigation, manipulation, and decision-making processes.

Sanzim Khan oversees the mechanical aspects and team operations. He is essential to the overall development and operational preparedness of the rover, from engineering sturdy chassis and suspension systems to managing team-wide administrative and logistical responsibilities.

Zaiyan Azad Moslem oversees electricity distribution, circuit design, and protective systems. Using his knowledge of electrical engineering, he creates innovative methods to secure delicate electronics from environmental threats, maximise power efficiency, and guarantee dependable communication.

Sheikh Ayatur manages AI and autonomous systems development. Using cutting-edge machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence approaches, he gives the rover the ability to sense its environment, process information, and come to wise conclusions on its own.

Rafid Khan takes charge of network and vision systems, ensuring rover communication and visual processing. To provide smooth communication between the rover and mission control and to enable real-time analysis of visual data, he develops and sets up monitoring systems, image processing algorithms, and network protocols.

Samiha Tashin leads scientific missions, including data analysis and sample collection. She designs and executes scientific experiments, interprets data collected by onboard instruments, and coordinates sample collection efforts to gather valuable insights into Mars' geological and environmental characteristics.

This year, the newer Phoenix rover comes with several changes and features that make it stand out and is engineered in a way to excel in extreme missions in Mar's terrain. The team's commitment to expanding the possibilities for robotic exploration is demonstrated by this new rover.

"The fresh new design takes inspiration from the phoenix bird itself and the red planet Mars, and most of the credit for the design goes to my co-team lead, Sanzim Khan, and his design team," said Al Mahir.

With omnidirectional wheels and a strong rocker-bogie suspension system, Phoenix offers unmatched performance on a variety of surfaces, coupled with a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI). Even in the most hostile Martian conditions, its dual-band communication systems, which are precisely built for stability and increased range, ensure uninterrupted connectivity. This crucial component not only ensures reliable communication with mission control but also makes data transmission easier, which is necessary for successful mission completion and scientific analysis.

Phoenix's five-degree manipulator, an engineering marvel that enables unmatched precision in tackling complex jobs, is one of its most noteworthy enhancements. Its adaptability is further increased with the inclusion of omni-wheel steering, which allows it to navigate difficult terrain with unmatched agility and efficiency. The rover's sophisticated steering system makes it easy to manoeuvre in any direction, which makes it skilled at navigating difficult terrain. With the help of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the well-known Robot Operating System (ROS), Phoenix can perform autonomous navigation that raises the bar for robotic exploration. Phoenix's fundamental ROS allows it to adjust to changing conditions.

This year, at the URC, Phoenix achieved an outstanding System Acceptance Review (SAR) score of 87.38 out of 100, demonstrating its abilities in geological exploration and remote sensing. Phoenix showed an amazing ability to get into Martian surface materials with its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) equipment and provide high-resolution, detailed photos of subsurface formations.

"We've faced all kinds of hurdles along the way, be it circuits burning, parts breaking down, and, every engineer's worst nightmare, a system that worked yesterday but stopped working today. We got through it all with a lot of determination, hope, and sticking together, I really can't be grateful enough for my team, they're a beautiful bunch," said Al Mahir Ahmed.

Mongol-Tori's team members are confident and looking forward to emerging victorious at the upcoming URC 2024.

Rittique Basak is a Campus Ambassador of The Daily Star from BRAC University.​

 

[Saif]

Deal for country’s second satellite in three months

The satellite, Bangabandhu-2, will be launched in 3 years

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Deal for country's second satellite in three months
The satellite, Bangabandhu-2, will be launched in 3 years

The government will finalise a deal for the country's second satellite in three months and it will be launched in the next 2-3 years, said Shahjahan Mahmood, chairman of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited.

The second satellite, Bangabandhu-2, will be an earth observatory satellite, he said.

It will be used for various purposes, including monitoring of natural disasters, managing agricultural resources, assessing environmental changes, Mahmood said.

He made the comments at the sixth anniversary of the launch of Bangabandhu-1, the country's first communication satellite, at a programme at the Dhaka Club today.

The Bangabandhu-1 satellite was launched in May of 2018 under a Tk 2,765.66 crore project.

Mahmood said the lifetime of Bangabandhu-1 could be increased by three years to 18 years, as it was efficiently launched six years back.

Some 40 Bangladeshi and 26 foreign television stations now air programmes using Bangabandhu-1 and the satellite has also started providing television rating point services recently.

In September last year, a letter of intent on cooperation was signed related to Bangabandhu-2 Earth Observation Satellite System between Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited and Airbus Defence and Space SAS of France.

The documents were inked in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and France President Emmanuel Macron at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka.

This time, Bangladesh has already signed a memorandum of understanding with France for the second satellite and its launch will help the south Asian country to face the challenges of the fourth industrial revelation, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said in today's event.

State Minister for Telecom and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Post and Telecom Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman also spoke.​

 

[Bilal9]

BRAC Onnesha was the first Cubesat Nano Satellite made by Bangladeshi students and researchers and launched as a multinational endeavor headed by Kyushu University in Japan (funding outlay borne was $500000 for Bangladesh side). More are planned in the future.

[H3]BRAC Onnesha - Wikipedia[/H3]

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Saif]

Daffodil International University students to represent Bangladesh at NASA

Team Diamonds from DIU won the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2022 with their project "Diamond in the Sky".

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Daffodil International University students to represent Bangladesh at NASA

Photo: Courtesy

"Team Diamonds", a team of students from the Department of Software Engineering, Daffodil International University (DIU), won the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2022 as the "Most Inspirational" project. The team is now heading to NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration – to represent the country as the champions of this prestigious international competition.

Team Diamonds is led by Tisha Khandokar as its team leader. Other team members include Md Munim Ahmed, the team's UI/UX designer and data analyst; Injamamul Haque Sonet, the System Architect; Abu Niaz, the app's developer, and Zarin Chowdhury, the team's dedicated researcher.

The team's winning project, "Diamond in the Sky", is an interactive, game-based learning tool designed for children aged 10 to 12.

"This innovative application aims to teach kids about stellar variability and the dynamic nature of the night sky," said Tisha to The Daily Star. "By engaging with the game, children can recognise star patterns, understand star colours, and learn about their brightness. The purpose of our app is to provide young learners the opportunity to comprehend star twinkling and the slow changes in the night sky, fostering a new perspective and appreciation for astronomy."

"Winning the NASA Space Apps Challenge is an incredible honour and a source of immense pride for our team and our country," added Tisha. "Representing Bangladesh and getting to raise our red and green flag at NASA fills us with joy and pride, showcasing our nation's potential on a global stage."

As Team Diamonds sets to depart for NASA, they have high expectations from their visit.

"Our plans include meeting with NASA scientists and gaining valuable knowledge about space science," said Tisha. "We are particularly excited about our invitation to visit the Goddard Space Flight Center, which promises hands-on experience with cutting-edge space science and technology. This visit will undoubtedly enrich our understanding and inspire further innovation."

She said, "By addressing genuine issues, you can make meaningful contributions to the world and increase your chances of success in any competition. Embrace the challenge, think creatively, and remember that your solutions can have a significant impact. This mindset is key to excelling in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and making a difference in the field of space science."​

 

[Saif]

UIU first in Asia at University Rover Challenge 2024

This is the third year in a row that UIU has been crowned the best in Asia at the URC competition.

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UIU first in Asia at University Rover Challenge 2024
This is the third year in a row that UIU has been crowned the best in Asia at the URC competition.

Photo: Courtesy

The UIU Mars Rover Team from United International University (UIU) became the highest-ranked team from Asia at the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2024. The team also secured the 5th position globally at the competition. This is the third year in a row that UIU has been crowned the best in Asia at the URC competition.

The UIU Mars rover team with its YGGDRASIL rover.

At the URC 2024, UIU secured this marvelous feat by competing against 37 other teams from 15 countries.​

 

[Saif]

Mongol Barota: MIST’s Mars rover team participating in the University Rover Challenge finals

Mongol Barota Mars Rover Team from MIST heads to finals with PHOENIX 4.0, aiming for victory.

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Mongol Barota: MIST's Mars rover team participating in the University Rover Challenge finals

Mongol Barota – the Mars rover team from Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) – is set to participate in the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2024 finals with their PHOENIX 4.0 rover. They are one of three teams from Bangladesh who will be representing the country at one of the world's most popular robotics competitions tailored for university students across the world.

Led by Md Jawadur Rahman, with Al-Amin Rashid Tarek as the co-leader, the Mongol Barota team comprises key members across various departments, each playing a crucial role in the rover's development and success. Ahmed Ahnaf Saqafi leads the mechanical sub-team, while Istiaque Ahmed Arik oversees the software and communication sub-team. Then there is Mansib Hasan Rohan, who directs the electrical sub-team, followed by Raisul Islam Rahad and Anika Tahsin Raisa leading the rover's autonomy, navigation, and science team.

As for guidance, the team turned to their supervisors, including MIST's Commandant Maj Gen Mohammed Saidul Islam, rcds, ndc, psc, Head of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) Brig Gen Mohammad Sajjad Hossain, and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) Brig Gen Md Awal Khan.

Mongol Barota's journey started back in 2014 when the team made its debut at the URC, securing the 12th position globally. In 2015, the team returned to the URC arena, this time earning the 9th position worldwide and securing the title of "Best Team from Asia". Fast forward to 2021, Mongol Barota reached the virtual final of the URC and ranked first globally. Besides the URC, the team also boasts notable achievements from competitions such as the European Rover Challenge (ERC) and Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC).

Working with the rover gave the team hands-on experience of using various advanced equipment, taught them how to think critically, sharpened their problem-solving skills, and helped build team work and patience. It also allowed team members to form life-long friendships.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

UIU ranks 3rd in Asia in CanSat Competition 2024

Team UIU Astro from United International University (UIU) has ranked 3rd in Asia and 11th globally in the CanSat Competition 2024 organised by the American Astronautical Society.

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UIU ranks 3rd in Asia in CanSat Competition 2024

Photo: Collected / Facebook / IEEE UIU Student Branch
Team UIU Astro from United International University (UIU) has ranked 3rd in Asia and 11th globally in the CanSat Competition 2024 organised by the American Astronautical Society.

The team, consisting of Md Zidan Talukder, Abdullah Al Saad, Provat Kundu, Md Efty Alamgir, M Abdullah Khan, Md Shamsuzzaman, Anika Tabassum Orchi, Al Reasat, Md Farhan Zaman, and Md Darain Khan, attended the competition finals from June 6 to 9 in Monterey, Virginia, United States.

A CanSat is a type of rocket payload used to teach space technology, similar to the one used in miniaturised satellites. The name "CanSat" combines the terms 'can' and 'satellite' given that it simulates a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a regular soft drink can.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh is negotiating with France to build 4-6 satellites in future. Bangladesh is emphasizing knowledge/technology transfer and capacity building.

 

[Deleted due to Error (Muji Iqbal)]

Although I wish well for Bangladesh, I think Bangladesh relies on other countries to send satellites to space. Am I correct?

 

[Saif]

Although I wish well for Bangladesh, I think Bangladesh relies on other countries to send satellites to space. Am I correct?

You are absolutely correct, brother. Bangladesh hasn't been able to build the necessary infrastructure to launch satellites into the space. So, we have to depend on America/France to send satellites into the space.

 

[Saif]

Two Bangladeshi teams reach finals of European Rover Challenge 2024

Project Altair from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) and Team Interplanetar from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has advanced to the final round of the international rover competition European Rover Challenge (ERC) 2024, to be held in Krakow, Poland, from...

www.thedailystar.net

Two Bangladeshi teams reach finals of European Rover Challenge 2024

Left: Team Interplanetar from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Right: Project Altair from Islamic University of Technology (IUT). Photos: Courtesy

Project Altair from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) and Team Interplanetar from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has advanced to the final round of the international rover competition European Rover Challenge (ERC) 2024, to be held in Krakow, Poland, from September 6 to 8, 2024.

Widely recognised as a platform for aspiring space engineers, the ERC hosts teams from universities all over the world to design and build rovers capable of tackling simulated Martian and lunar environments. These tasks replicate the real-world obstacles encountered by rovers on space missions, allowing students to showcase their ingenuity and technical prowess in front of industry experts and representatives from major space agencies.

Following a rigorous selection process, 69 teams from across the globe vied for a spot in the finals. The top 27, including Project Altair and Team Interplanetar - both from Bangladesh, qualified for the final round.

"Right now, we are focused on practising for ERC finals tasks, fixing any bugs, and getting the rover competition-ready. We are also working on university approval, visa processing, and sponsorship to support our efforts," shared Md. Nahid Shahriare, Outreach Lead of Team Interplanetar from BUET.

According to the team, BUET's rover Prochesta V3.0 has a four-wheel rocker suspension with a link bar differential for extreme traversal. It is equipped with a five-degree-of-freedom robotic arm that allows it to perform maintenance tasks. "Besides, it has a modular science payload that enables drilling and storage of soil samples for scientific analysis, along with industrial grade cameras and communication equipment that allows it to travel autonomously at great distances," explained Sahib Ur Rauf, the team's Technical Lead.

As for Project Altair from IUT, the team is using a bar differential as the suspension system for driving through rough terrain. Their manipulator subsystem is built with laser-cut SS steel, actuators, and worm gears and their deep sampling system uses an auger and ball screw mechanism to dig deep soil samples. "Considering the current state of our rover and the team's motivation, we aspire to achieve big in this year's ERC finals," shared Mohammad Emon, Team Lead.

"Although our rover is competition-ready, we are working on significant improvements for this year's finals. We are currently implementing an autonomous navigation system using SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) for the navigation task and automating our deep sampling machine. We are also enhancing our communication system, as we faced challenges in this area during our recent competition at IRC 2024," Emon further explained. The team is also manufacturing a new gripper for a task newly added to ERC this year.

The ERC finals will see these talented teams from Bangladesh put their rovers through a series of demanding tasks designed to mimic real-world missions conducted by NASA and ESA.​

 

[Saif]

MIST’s Mongol Barota secures runners-up trophy at Anatolian Rover Challenge 2024

The team also secured the champion title in the ARC Junior 2024 Exploration Challenge.

www.thedailystar.net

MIST’s Mongol Barota secures runners-up trophy at Anatolian Rover Challenge 2024
The team also secured the champion title in the ARC Junior 2024 Exploration Challenge.

Maverick – MIST Mongol Barota's latest Mars rover that helped them secure the runners-up trophy at Anatolian Rover Challenge 2024. Photos: Courtesy

Mongol Barota, the Mars rover team from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), has secured the runners-up trophy at the Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC) 2024, and the champion title in the ARC Junior 2024 Exploration Challenge.

ARC'24 took place from July 17 to 21 at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkiye, under the patronage of the Space Exploration Society (UKET).

MIST's Mongol Barota, consisting of 38 students across several engineering departments of MIST, took on this year's ARC challenge with their latest rover, Maverick. Six of them represented the team in Turkiye. The team was led by Md Jawadur Rahman from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), with Alamin Rashid Tarek from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) as the co-leader. Other members of the team included Lt Md Sarower Morshed (CSE), Istiaque Ahmed Arik (CSE), Raisul Islam Rahad (CSE), and Ahmed Ahnaf Saqafi (ME). The team was guided by their faculty advisors Lt Col Muhammad Nazrul Islam (CSE), Maj Md Shawkat Ali (CSE), and Lecturer Shah Md Ahasan Siddique (ME).

The ARC Junior 2024 team, on the other hand, was led by Lecturer Ahasan with Alamin and Saqafi. Brig Gen Mohammad Sajjad Hossain, Head of the CSE department at MIST supported the team throughout the journey as the main advisor. The team members also expressed their gratitude to Brig Gen Md Anisur Rahman, Head of the ME Department for providing valuable mechanical facilities. MIST's Commandant also appreciated the team's achievements at the ARC'24.

Mongol Barota faced fierce competition from 21 other teams from countries like Poland, India, and Turkiye amongst others. The competition required teams to complete four demanding missions set in environments simulating the environmental conditions in Mars, the moon, and the Earth.

The competition had four missions: Science Sampler, Autonomous Exploration, Lunar Robotic Prospector, and Night Launch. Mongol Barota excelled in all missions, securing 2nd, 4th, and 2nd positions in missions 1, 2, and 3 respectively. In the fourth mission, they scored a perfect 100 out of 100 and completed the task six minutes before the designated time, showcasing their rover's exceptional nighttime navigation and task execution skills.

Photo: ARC Website

Despite few technical challenges, the team's resilience paid off, earning them the second overall position with a total score of 235.18 points. The team's stellar performance did not go unnoticed, as they also received the ARC Special Prize for the "Best Team Structure". This award was judged by Umut Yildiz, a deep space communications engineer at NASA to whom Mongol Barota's inclusive team culture, which involves welcoming all members regardless of age or contribution, and nurturing a healthy learning and growth environment, stood out.

On July 18, during the Night Launch mission, the team received a devastating news from Bangladesh that Shykh Ashabul Yamin, a fourth-year CSE student from MIST, had tragically lost his life during the quota reform protests. The news shook the team to its core. Rahad, the rover's communications lead, said, "We felt extremely restless for not being able to communicate back home due to the nationwide internet shut down in Bangladesh back then. Despite wanting to give up, we stayed and fought back with our feelings, because we knew we had to win this for Yamin bhaiya, as well as for all the others who have embraced martyrdom [during the protests]."

Regarding their achievement, Rashid said, "Even during such a critical moment in our country, we achieved this success through courage and unity, reflecting our unwavering determination."

MIST's Mongol Barota is determined to use their experience from the ARC'24 to drive technological progress and help shape the future of a new Bangladesh.

Fatima Ashraf is a campus ambassador for The Daily Star at the Military Institute of Science & Technology (MIST).​