After the country’s first satellite BHUTAN-1, Bhutan plans to launch another satellite into space by the end of 2021. Engineers from the Department of Information Technology and Telecom (DITT), under the Ministry of Information and Communications, in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will be building a bigger satellite, weighing around 10 kilograms.
Under the Joint Satellite Project, four Bhutanese engineers will be trained in building a satellite at ISRO in Bangaluru in India. Although the satellite will be bigger than BHUTAN-1, two countries are yet to decide on the functions and features of the satellite.
“Regarding the launch of the satellite, it is very difficult to say because we are yet to finalise lots of technical details of the project but as of now we are hoping that we will be able to launch the satellite sometime in 2021,” said Kiran Kumar Pradhan, the Dy. Executive Engineer with the DITT who will be among the four engineers to leave for ISRO.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during the launch of RuPay Card last month announced that the ISRO is preparing to launch the satellite next year.
“Yesterday we signed a framework for increasing corporation on the peaceful use of outer space. Work is progressing at a fast pace to send Bhutanese satellite into space next year,” The Indian Prime Minister said.
The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 19th November on cooperation in the space sector. This according to the Ministry will also allow Indian Government to share data on Bhutan from their already existing satellites.
“Through the collaboration that we are setting up with India, we are hoping of getting earth observation data or satellite images which can be used by various agencies of our country. Using those data our agencies will be able to plan and make appropriate decisions,” added Kiran Kumar Pradhan.
The team of engineers will be leaving for ISRO this month.
Sangay Chezom
