Orbital Occupation: Legal Notice Seeks Restoration of Bangladesh’s Satellite Slot
A legal notice has been served to relevant government authorities demanding immediate action to reclaim Bangladesh’s rightful position in its designated orbital slot in space. The notice criticizes the government for allegedly failing to secure the country’s own orbital position in a timely manner, resulting in Bangladesh’s first satellite, ‘Bangabandhu Satellite-1,’ being launched into a rented slot from a Russian company. It also underscores that the orbital slot is a “limited international resource managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),” and emphasizes the urgency of asserting national sovereignty in space.
On Wednesday, June 4, the notice was sent via registered post and email by Supreme Court lawyer Md. Mahmudul Hasan to the Secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited.
The notice states, “Due to the government’s failure to secure the orbital slot in due time, our first satellite ‘Bangladesh Satellite-1’ (Previously named 'Bangabandhu Satellite-1’) was compelled to be launched into an orbit leased from a Russian company, which has undermined our national pride and technological sovereignty.”
It further reads, “By occupying an orbital slot, a nation ensures exclusive control and security over its telecommunication, defense communication, and scientific advancement. The failure to secure our slot has increased our technological dependence and has become a risk to national security.”
The legal notice calls for swift international action to reclaim Bangladesh’s orbital rights to safeguard the country’s sovereignty. It also urges the government to make a formal appeal to the ITU, appoint international legal experts, and establish a permanent ‘National Orbital Monitoring Cell’ to ensure long-term oversight and protection of Bangladesh’s position in space.
The notice concludes with a warning that if effective measures are not taken within 30 days to restore the country’s claim and control over its own orbital slot, a writ petition will be filed with the High Court seeking directives on the matter.
