RANGAMATI, June 14, 2023 (BSS) - The country's first satellite earth station at Betbunia under Kawkhali upazila of the district, which was inaugurated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has completed its journey of 48 years.

Bangabandhu inaugurated the ground station on June 14, 1975 while its foundation stone was laid on January 30 in 1970.

The station is situated in a valley at Kawkhali upazila in the district beside Chattogram-Rangamati highway which is 33 kilometer distant from Rangamati.

Bangabandhu Satellite-1, the first terrestrial communication and broadcasting satellite of Bangladesh, was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on May 11, 2018.

The satellite uses ground control stations built by Thales Alenia Space with its partner Spectra primary ground station in Gazipur.

Secondary ground station is at Betbunia, Rangamati. The first test signal after launch was received by the operators on May 12, 2018.