Why space technology matters for Bangladesh

When most people hear the term "space technology", they imagine rockets, astronauts, stars and distant planets. Popular films, novels and history books often portray space as a realm of mystery and wonder. While these images capture the imagination, they are not the reasons why space technology matters to Bangladesh. For us, space technology is not primarily about exploring outer space; it is about solving problems here on Earth.

Every day, millions of Bangladeshis benefit from services that depend on satellites. Weather forecasts, television broadcasts, mobile communications, navigation systems, disaster warnings and internet connectivity all rely, to varying degrees, on space-based infrastructure. Yet many people still view space technology as a luxury for wealthy nations rather than a necessity for developing countries such as Bangladesh.

That perception is increasingly outdated.

In today's interconnected world, space technology has become critical national infrastructure, much like roads, power plants, ports and telecommunications networks. For a country such as Bangladesh—one of the world's most densely populated and climate-vulnerable nations—the strategic importance of space technology will only grow in the coming decades.

The launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 in 2018 marked a historic milestone for Bangladesh. It transformed the country from a user of satellite services into a satellite-owning nation. The achievement demonstrated that Bangladesh was capable of undertaking sophisticated technological projects and signalled an ambition to participate in the emerging global space economy.

However, the true significance of space technology extends far beyond owning a communications satellite.

Consider disaster management. Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing deaths from cyclones and other natural disasters. One of the key contributors to this success has been improved weather forecasting and early warning systems. Satellite observations allow meteorologists to monitor storm systems over the Bay of Bengal and provide advance warnings to vulnerable communities. Every additional hour of warning can save lives.

As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, satellite-based monitoring will become even more essential. In the future, advanced Earth observation satellites could help Bangladesh monitor floods, river erosion, coastal changes, salinity intrusion and environmental degradation in near real time. Satellite imagery can also facilitate rapid post-disaster damage assessments, enabling more efficient recovery efforts.

Agriculture is another area where space technology offers tremendous potential.

Bangladesh must feed a growing population despite limited agricultural land and mounting climate-related challenges. Satellite imagery can provide valuable information about crop health, soil moisture, irrigation requirements and pest outbreaks. Combined with artificial intelligence and digital advisory services, these technologies can help farmers make better decisions and improve productivity.

The farmer of the future may not own a satellite, but he or she will increasingly depend on information generated by one.

Space technology is also becoming essential for national security and maritime governance. Bangladesh possesses a vast maritime domain in the Bay of Bengal, including a 580-kilometre coastline, a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, a 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an extensive continental shelf, covering more than 207,000 square kilometres. This area includes strategically important regions such as the Chattogram coast, the Sundarbans, St Martin's Island and Cox's Bazar. Rich in marine resources that remain largely underexplored, this maritime space requires effective monitoring and management. Protecting marine resources, tracking fishing activities, combating illegal activities and responding to emergencies all require reliable surveillance capabilities. Satellites provide an efficient and cost-effective means of observing vast geographical areas that would otherwise be difficult to monitor.

Yet perhaps the greatest opportunity lies in the emerging space economy itself.

Globally, the space sector is undergoing a profound transformation. What was once dominated by governments is increasingly being driven by private companies, start-ups and innovation ecosystems. The modern space economy is not limited to launching rockets. It encompasses satellite communications, geospatial services, data analytics, navigation applications, climate services, software development and countless downstream applications.

This presents a significant opportunity for Bangladesh.

The country has already established a strong reputation in information technology and software development. Bangladeshi engineers, programmers, data scientists and entrepreneurs can create solutions that utilise satellite data for agriculture, logistics, urban planning, disaster management, environmental monitoring and smart-city applications.

In other words, Bangladesh does not need to build rockets to participate meaningfully in the space economy.

What it needs is a strategy.

At present, the country's space-related activities remain fragmented across different institutions. There is no comprehensive national space policy that clearly defines long-term objectives, institutional responsibilities and investment priorities. While organisations such as SPARRSO and Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited perform important roles, greater coordination is necessary to maximise national benefits.

Bangladesh should consider developing a unified national space strategy that integrates public service delivery, commercial opportunities, scientific research and national security objectives. Such a strategy should be supported by investments in education, research and human capital development.

Universities have a particularly important role to play. Future opportunities in the space sector will not be limited to aerospace engineers. They will also involve data scientists, software developers, communications engineers, environmental specialists, policy experts, lawyers, economists and entrepreneurs. Building a skilled workforce will be just as important as building satellites. University curricula should incorporate space technology-related subjects and combine theoretical learning with hands-on project work.

The country should also encourage greater collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. Innovation often emerges when these sectors work together. Start-up incubators, research grants and public-private partnerships can help create a vibrant ecosystem around space-enabled services.

Most importantly, policymakers should view space technology not as a prestige project but as a development tool.

The question is not whether Bangladesh should invest in space technology. The question is whether Bangladesh can afford not to.

The challenges facing the country—climate change, food security, urbanisation, disaster management, maritime governance and digital inclusion—are precisely the kinds of problems that modern space technologies are designed to address.

The future of Bangladesh's space sector should therefore be measured not by the number of satellites it launches, but by the number of problems it solves. The strategic prize lies in converting satellite ownership into space intelligence—the capacity to collect, analyse and apply space-derived data at scale for national development.

Space technology is not ultimately about space.

It is about protecting our coasts, feeding our people, connecting our communities, strengthening our economy and building a more resilient nation.

For Bangladesh, the journey into space is, in reality, a journey towards a smarter and more sustainable future. It is a significant step towards realising the government's vision of 'Shoabar Age Bangladesh'.

Dr Muhammad Imadur Rahman is the Managing Director and CEO, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.