BRAC ONNESHA: Beyond The Horizon

BRAC University (BRACU) brought together Maisun Ibn Monowar, Abdulla Hil Kafi and Raihana Shams Islam Antara to share their experience of building BRAC ONNESHA, the first nano-satellite by a Bangladeshi university, says a press release. Greeted with flowers, cheers and rapturous applause from fellow students at the BRAC University auditorium on March 16, the three narrated how they finished their undergraduate course in the electrical and electronic department before the idea came to them to do higher studies in space technology.
A video was played on the development of the satellite and its deployment. The three explained its components and the way they overcame hurdles, starting with the 14-month timeframe to complete all tasks before the launching.
Pointing out that on an average the three students spent around 16 hours every day in the lab at Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan, BRACU Vice Chancellor Syed Saad Andaleeb appreciated the dedication put up by the team. Antara has already patented a part of her research, he added.
AA Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairperson, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, said Bangladesh had already tapped three vital areas of nuclear, space and oceanography and would soon start reaping benefits. He emphasised on increasing collaboration with government agencies as “youths can achieve miracles”.
Six other students were introduced who graduated from BRAC University and are now working on building a ground station for the satellite, which is expected to be inaugurated next month.
During a question and answer session, it was pointed out that the money being spent to keep the satellite afloat for six months would repay in experience for years to come, and save a tremendous amount of effort in future endeavours and insight into everyday electronics.The talk on ‘BRAC ONNESHA: Beyond the horizon’ ended with the organisers, Robotics Club of BRAC University (ROBU) and BRAC University Electrical & Electronic Club (BUEEC), presenting crests of appreciation to the three satellite builders.