[🇧🇩] Space Program in Bangladesh

[Saif]

NASA’s chief astronaut Joseph M Acaba concludes Bangladesh visit

The chief astronaut of NASA, Joseph M Acaba, concluded a successful visit to Bangladesh after successful engagements with youth, academia, government officials, and media in Dhaka.

www.newagebd.net

NASA’s chief astronaut Joseph M Acaba concludes Bangladesh visit
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 17 December, 2024, 19:39

The chief astronaut of NASA, Joseph M Acaba, interacts with students in Dhaka. | BSS photo

The chief astronaut of NASA, Joseph M Acaba, concluded a successful visit to Bangladesh after successful engagements with youth, academia, government officials, and media in Dhaka.

His engagements included interactive sessions with students, where he inspired young minds to pursue careers in space science, robotics, STEM, research, and education, said a US embassy press release.

In a first, Acaba arrived in Dhaka on Saturday to engage with local youth, academia and media.

During the visit, Acaba discussed the role of space exploration in advancing technology and addressing global challenges, such as the climate crisis.

Acaba shared insights on NASA’s contributions to global science and technology and how Bangladesh can benefit from collaborative efforts in space exploration and technology innovation through the Artemis Accords.

The Artemis Accords promote principles for a safe, peaceful and prosperous future in space to foster further collaboration between NASA and Bangladesh’s growing space and technology sectors.

Acaba is an American educator, hydrogeologist, and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

In May 2004, he became the first person of Puerto Rican ancestry to be named a NASA astronaut candidate.

In 2023, Acaba was appointed as the chief of the Astronaut Office.

As an astronaut, Acaba logged over 306 days in space across three missions-including spacewalks and groundbreaking scientific research aboard the International Space Station.​

 

[Saif]

North South University, STEMX365 sign MoU for collaboration in space education and research

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between North South University (NSU) and STEMX365 on Tuesday, December 17. Through this MoU, STEMX365 and NSU will collaborate to support NSU students in all kinds of space education and research, says a press release. NSU’s Vice-Chancellor Prof

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

North South University, STEMX365 sign MoU for collaboration in space education and research
FE Online Desk
Published :
Dec 18, 2024 21:34
Updated :
Dec 18, 2024 21:34

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between North South University (NSU) and STEMX365 on Tuesday, December 17. Through this MoU, STEMX365 and NSU will collaborate to support NSU students in all kinds of space education and research, says a press release.

NSU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury signed the MoU on behalf of NSU. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) space scientist and founder of space research organization STEMX365 Mizanul Chowdhury signed the MoU on behalf of STEMX365.

Dean of NSU School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Dr Shazzad Hosain, Chair of Department of Computer Science and Engineering Dr Mohammad Abdul Matin, and faculty from NSU attended the MoU signing ceremony along with delegates from STEMX365.

STEMX365, founded by MIT space scientist Mizanul Chowdhury, is a non-profit space research organization that has opened the door to free space science and technology education for Bangladeshi youth in an agreement with Japan's JAXA. The organization works in collaboration with MIT's Zero Robotics Lab. Through this organization, talented young people studying science and technology in various schools, colleges, and universities in the country are learning programming, learning about space, building robots and participating in international competitions and achieving success.

In the meantime, Bangladesh won second place in 2021, fifth place in 2023, and third place in 2024 in the international Kibo Robotics Programming Competition under the supervision of STEMX365.​

 

[Saif]

Kessler Syndrome: Space debris may create a future with no internet, TV, or mobile phone

The scenario in which space debris collides and creates more debris is called Kessler Syndrome, named after the NASA scientist Donald Kessler.

www.thedailystar.net

Kessler Syndrome: Space debris may create a future with no internet, TV, or mobile phone

The scenario in which space debris collides and creates more debris is called Kessler Syndrome. FILE PHOTO: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY

In 1923, British physician Havelock Ellis famously wrote in The Dance of Life, "The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago had they happened to be within the reach of the predatory human hands." He missed the Red Planet―Mars.

We have already destroyed Earth, the only inhabitable planet in the solar system, beyond repair. Today, we breathe polluted air, drink contaminated water and grow food on chemically modified soil. We are using our lungs as a receptacle for hundreds of noxious pollutants. As a result, our planet has transitioned from the Holocene Epoch to a new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene Epoch.

In the last 65 years, we succeeded in bringing the Moon and Mars within our reach. We polluted both these heavenly orbs, which not a single human inhabits, though not to the extent we damaged Earth. Since the first human-made object reached the Moon on September 13, 1959, namely the Soviet Luna 2 lander, we have dumped upward of 200,000 kilogrammes of refuse, such as moon buggies that were abandoned during the manned Apollo missions, scores of unmanned probes that have crashed or landed on the Moon, backpacks and personal hygiene kits of astronauts, and many more on the lunar surface.

Mars may be 140 million miles away, but it is also not immune from man-made trash. There are already well-nigh 7,000 kilogrammes of trash―broken and crashed spacecraft, parachutes, foams, discarded hardware and rover tracks―on the Martian surface, from 50 years of robotic exploration. Scientists don't know how cosmic radiation, ice action and dust storms—the conditions of another world—will affect these objects over time.

We almost made it to the Sun, 93 million miles away from Earth, by whizzing through its fiery atmosphere just 3.8 million miles above its surface. Thank heavens, other stars are still beyond our reach because they are light years away, but outer space in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is not.

The LEO, typically 160–2,000 kilometres above the Earth's surface, has long been a vital area for human activity in space, hosting satellites for communications, Earth observation, navigation and scientific research. The International Space Station (ISS) is among the most renowned entities in LEO, circling the Earth at an average altitude of 400 kilometres from the surface.

The predatory human hands converted the LEO into a junkyard, a dumping ground for space debris left over from six decades of space exploration. There are millions of pieces of space junk flying around in LEO. The majority of space debris consists of man-made items, including fragments of spacecraft, small paint particles from these vehicles, components of rockets, defunct satellites and remnants from explosions of objects that are orbiting at high velocities, potentially reaching speeds of up to 28,000 kilometres per hour.

The scenario in which space debris collides and creates more debris is called Kessler Syndrome, named after the NASA scientist Donald Kessler, who alerted us to this problem in 1978. More specifically, Kessler describes a situation in which if the density of space debris reaches a critical threshold, it will lead to a chain reaction of collisions in LEO that could envelop the planet in a debris field. This cascading phenomenon of space debris poses a significant risk of making LEO too clogged for satellites to orbit safely, or for launching future space missions.

As the number of satellites in orbit increases―about 110 new launches each year and at least 10 satellites or other objects a year breaking up into smaller fragments―the risk of severe collisions with space debris will escalate. The resulting consequences for all satellites and assets in space operating within a congested orbit, as well as for any spacecraft traversing these regions, will be disastrous. For example, the ISS has executed multiple evasive manoeuvres to steer clear of debris. In one recent incident, a piece of debris came within four kilometres of the ISS. Furthermore, these errant objects also endanger the safety of astronauts.

If, indeed, satellites collide or go offline because of overcrowded LEO, critical services like internet, navigation (GPS), weather forecasts, cell phones, television and other space-based technologies could fail. Needless to say, this will cause widespread disruption to modern life. Imagine life without social media!

According to the European Space Agency, there are more than 13 million kilogrammes of material in LEO. Some 35,000 objects are being monitored by space surveillance networks. Approximately 9,000 of these objects are operational payloads, while the remaining 26,000 consist of debris that exceeds 10 centimetres in size. However, the actual number of objects in space debris larger than one cm in size―large enough to be capable of causing catastrophic damage―is over one million.

An increasing number of these objects―an average of one piece per day―are falling back to Earth, failing to disintegrate upon re-entry as anticipated. A notable incident occurred in 1969 when five sailors on a Japanese vessel sustained injuries attributable to space debris from what was believed to be a Soviet spacecraft that struck the deck of their boat. More recently, in December 2024, a luminous metallic ring, exceeding eight feet in diameter and weighing over 500 kilogrammes, fell from the sky and crash-landed in a secluded village in Kenya. Luckily, no one was injured.

Space-faring nations that rely heavily on satellites are by far the major contributors to space debris. Despite the growing likelihood of satellite loss, they have not taken decisive action to address the issue of junk in the LEO. Besides, they have no incentive to reduce debris generation except to protect their own spacecraft, which they do with shields.

It is important to note that space debris is not the responsibility of a single nation; rather, it is a shared obligation among all countries engaged in space exploration. Hence, it is imperative that for the common good of both humanity and the environment in the LEO, we should tackle Kessler Syndrome head-on.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of initiatives aimed at reducing the accumulation of space debris, the clutter persists in increasing. The situation has escalated to the point where we are staring at "an unsustainable environment in the long term." Historical precedents indicate that all is not lost; we have previously come together in the face of considerable challenges.

Dr Quamrul Haider is professor Emeritus at Fordham University in New York, USA.​

 

[Saif]

The scale of the universe and our place in it

This realisation is not meant to diminish our significance, but rather to inspire awe and perspective.

www.thedailystar.net

The scale of the universe and our place in it
scale of the universe

For perspective, the distance between Earth and the Sun is about 147 million kilometres, which translates to roughly 1.58/100,000 light-years. Against this infinite expanse, the Earth is but a speck of dust, and humans are smaller still. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

To truly understand our place in the universe, we must first comprehend the concept of scale. It is only through understanding the relative sizes of the entities around us that we can appreciate the grandeur of existence and the humility it demands. Consider this: compared to the universe, we are minuscule, far smaller than even the tiniest microscopic objects—such as atoms, bacteria, or viruses—are to us. The ratio of a human's size to the universe's size is approximately 1/10^24, while the ratio of an atom's size to a human's size is 1/10^10. This stark comparison provides a glimpse into how infinitesimal we truly are in the cosmic context.

The vastness of the universe is almost incomprehensible. Scientists estimate its diameter to be 93 billion light-years. For perspective, the distance between Earth and the Sun is about 147 million kilometres, which translates to roughly 1.58/100,000 light-years. Against this infinite expanse, the Earth is but a speck of dust, and humans are smaller still. Now imagine the scale of the being or force that created this immense cosmos. How minute must our individual existence appear from that vantage point?

This realisation is not meant to diminish our significance, but rather to inspire awe and perspective. Many religious traditions highlight the creator's infinite forgiveness, perhaps because, on a cosmic scale, our petty grievances, conflicts and selfish actions seem trivial. Instead of focusing on such trivialities, we should strive for collective well-being and meaningful contributions to the greater good. Our actions, viewed collectively, shape the world we live in, and this collective behaviour matters far more than individual missteps.

To understand the power of scale, consider this analogy: for someone with only 100 units of currency, even one unit is immensely valuable. For someone with 100 billion units, however, even 100 units are negligible. This principle applies universally: the larger the scale we consider, the smaller individual contributions or actions seem. Similarly, to understand the universe's vastness, we must expand our perspective, learning to see beyond our immediate surroundings.

An everyday example of scale can be found in a seemingly empty container. Although it appears vacant, it contains countless air molecules. These molecules, invisible to the naked eye, collide with the container's walls at random speeds. The average force per unit area of these collisions creates what we call pressure. Similarly, room temperature represents the average kinetic energy of these molecules. No one molecule's specific behaviour matters; it is the collective behaviour that defines the observable phenomenon. This mirrors humanity's progress—it is the cumulative contributions of countless individuals that propel society forward.

The analogy of collective behaviour extends to nation-building. A country's well-being depends on the average behaviour of its citizens. In a society as small as ours when viewed against the universe, the prevalence of corruption, theft, and violence seems tragically unnecessary. What purpose does such behaviour serve in the grand scheme of things?

Take Bangladesh as an example. If we want to build a prosperous nation, collective good behaviour is essential. Our well-being as a society depends on our ability to act with integrity, kindness, and unity. The contributions of the majority determine whether we thrive or falter.

As humans, our sense of belonging is inherently tied to scale. If you were to travel to another planet and were asked where you are from, your answer would be "Earth." On Earth, you might identify yourself by your country, such as "Bangladesh." Within Bangladesh, you'd narrow it down to your district, town, or even neighbourhood. Our sense of kinship expands or contracts depending on the scale of the context. Beyond Earth, all humans feel like family. Within a country, fellow citizens are our kin. And so, our sense of connection grows narrower as the scope shrinks.

Understanding scale clarifies our responsibilities as humans. It teaches us to be generous, humble, and open-minded. This is why writers and thinkers urge us to visit the sea, climb mountains, or gaze at the horizon—such experiences remind us of our smallness and inspire a broader perspective. They help us grow in empathy and understanding, encouraging us to think collectively rather than selfishly.

To truly grasp our place in the universe is to embrace humility and the drive for collective good. In the grand design of the cosmos, our greatest contribution lies in fostering unity, acting with integrity, and striving for the betterment of all. Let the vastness of the universe inspire us to rise above trivial conflicts and embrace a more generous, meaningful existence.

Dr Kamrul Hassan is professor in the Department of Physics at Dhaka University.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi researcher and team discovers young galaxy with JWST

Astronomers have identified a galaxy formed approximately 600 million years after the Big Bang, with characteristics resembling those of the Milky Way during its early stages.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladeshi researcher and team discovers young galaxy with JWST
early universe galaxy

The galaxy, nicknamed the “Firefly Sparkle” by the research team, is notable for its modest mass, which aligns with estimates of the Milky Way’s mass at a comparable stage of development. Imaes: NASA

Astronomers have identified a galaxy formed approximately 600 million years after the Big Bang, with characteristics resembling those of the Milky Way during its early stages. The discovery, made using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), represents a significant advancement in understanding the formation of galaxies in the early universe. Among the co-lead researchers of the study is Bangladeshi-born astrophysicist Lamiya Mowla, now an assistant professor at Wellesley College in the United States.

Unveiling the "Firefly Sparkle" galaxy

The galaxy, nicknamed the "Firefly Sparkle" by the research team, is notable for its modest mass, which aligns with estimates of the Milky Way's mass at a comparable stage of development. The study utilized gravitational lensing, a phenomenon that amplifies and distorts light from distant objects, to closely examine the galaxy's structure. JWST's advanced infrared imaging capabilities allowed researchers to resolve the galaxy into 10 distinct star clusters, each in varying stages of formation.

"This galaxy offers a rare glimpse into the assembly of a galaxy in the early universe," said Mowla in a NASA news release. "The ability to resolve it into separate components provides unique insights into the processes of star formation."

Collaboration and advanced technology

The research was conducted as part of the Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS), which leverages the capabilities of JWST's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec). Gravitational lensing, caused by a massive foreground galaxy cluster, magnified the Firefly Sparkle, enabling detailed analysis of its structure and composition.

Insights into early galactic formation

The Firefly Sparkle is relatively small and less massive than most galaxies observed from this epoch. Researchers identified two companion galaxies, separated by 6,500 and 42,000 light-years, which may influence its future development through gravitational interactions. The study suggests that such interactions, predicted by galaxy formation models, are crucial in the evolution of early galaxies.

The research findings were published in the journal Nature on December 11, 2024. By studying galaxies like the Firefly Sparkle, astronomers aim to better understand the processes that led to the formation of present-day galaxies, including the Milky Way.​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangabandhu satellite set for name change
bdnews24.com
Published :
Mar 03, 2025 18:43
Updated :
Mar 03, 2025 18:53

The interim government has decided to change the name of Bangabandhu-1, the country's first geostationary satellite, to Bangladesh Satellite-1.

The name change has been greenlit by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, according to Rafiqul Islam, deputy secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division.

“Following discussions in the Advisory Council meeting, Bangladesh Satellite Company proposed the name change. We forwarded the proposal to the council, and the chief advisor approved it. Based on this, we have formally notified the satellite company, which will now take the necessary steps.”

Since the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5 last year, the Yunus-led interim administration has been carrying out wide-ranging reforms across various sectors.

As part of these changes, key administrative positions have been reshuffled, and the names of roads, bridges, and other structures are being altered, with the geostationary satellite being the latest in the series of renaming efforts.​

 

[Bilal9]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangabandhu satellite set for name change
bdnews24.com
Published :
Mar 03, 2025 18:43
Updated :
Mar 03, 2025 18:53

View attachment 15092
The interim government has decided to change the name of Bangabandhu-1, the country's first geostationary satellite, to Bangladesh Satellite-1.

The name change has been greenlit by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, according to Rafiqul Islam, deputy secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division.

“Following discussions in the Advisory Council meeting, Bangladesh Satellite Company proposed the name change. We forwarded the proposal to the council, and the chief advisor approved it. Based on this, we have formally notified the satellite company, which will now take the necessary steps.”

Since the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5 last year, the Yunus-led interim administration has been carrying out wide-ranging reforms across various sectors.

As part of these changes, key administrative positions have been reshuffled, and the names of roads, bridges, and other structures are being altered, with the geostationary satellite being the latest in the series of renaming efforts.​

Name should be shortened to BDSat or something similar.

 

[Bilal9]

Well I don't know if we as a country are going to land a rover at some point on a space object (or collaborate with another country), but the rover research is in full swing at all universities. All universities in Bangladesh with this sort of research program are using advanced additive 3D printing (wheels) and Laser cutters (carcass assembly).

This rover is from UIU Dhaka Campus, there are other older videos in the channel.

 

[Sharma Ji]

Name should be shortened to BDSat or something similar.

how's BBSat for something similar ?

BB BangaBandhu

 

[Sharma Ji]

Well I don't know if we as a country are going to land a rover at some point on a space object (or collaborate with another country), but the rover research is in full swing at all universities. All universities in Bangladesh with this sort of research program are using advanced additive 3D printing (wheels) and Laser cutters (carcass assembly).

This rover is from UIU Dhaka Campus, there are other older videos in the channel.

withstanding the elements, how long you can keep it going with proper transmission to earth or sat based comms.

eventually they run out of battery or other problems, like the Mars rover from NASA

I dont get this whole space exploration obsession thing but, we still have much to learn about our oceans here, about the south pole.. log Mars ki baat kar re..

 

[Bilal9]

how's BBSat for something similar ?

BB BangaBandhu

Bangabandhu's (or Hasina's) name will not be used to name anything further in Bangladesh.

 

[Bilal9]

withstanding the elements, how long you can keep it going with proper transmission to earth or sat based comms.

eventually they run out of battery or other problems, like the Mars rover from NASA

I dont get this whole space exploration obsession thing but, we still have much to learn about our oceans here, about the south pole.. log Mars ki baat kar re..

They will have to 3D print with much tougher, newer engineering plastics like PVDF, and use Kynar coatings etc. There have been some phenomenal developments in this area.

Battery tech is also changing rapidly. LiPoly or Li-Ion is no longer cutting edge.