Nepal’s plan to have its Satellite orbit in its sky has taken a new leap. The plan has long drawn a buzz, but the possibility has finally been substantiated. NTA, the telecommunications authority of Nepal has shortlisted four companies to study Nepal’s satellite launch.
NTA’s quest to launch Nepal’s satellite into orbit has been through many hurdles. But, over the last few months, the plan has shifted in higher gears.
NTA had previously asked for regulation and safety, trade and operation modality, policy, bid document, etc. from the interested companies. Altogether 8 companies had submitted their letters of intent to launch Nepal’s satellite, Khabarhub reported.
NTA has shortlisted four consultant companies after evaluating their technical and financial proposals.
Four Shortlisted Companies For Nepal’s Satellite Launch
NTA has shortlisted four consultant companies that will vie to launch Nepal’s satellite soon.
The companies include Euro Consult, TRKSAT-TTG, S3 Tel Inc, and Thaicom. The companies are based in France, Turkey, UAE, and Thailand respectively.
NTA has established its criteria to award the contract to either of those companies.
NTA has set up 80 and 20 marks respectively to evaluate each company’s technical and financial proposals. After a company is selected, NTA would subsequently coordinate for the installation of the satellite.
Also read: NTA to allow the purchase of SIM card without carrying documents
The government has set the target of operating the country’s own satellite within 2022 and also released a policy on this in July last year
If everything goes as planned, Nepal expects to have its satellite make its trips by 2022 in its sky. Nepal has also released its policy for satellite operations back in July this year.
Nepsat-1, Nepal’s First-Ever Satellite
Nepsat-1 was Nepal’s first-ever satellite launched on April 18 2019 from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.
The 1.3 kg cube satellite revolved around the earth 4 times a day. Away from 400 km above the earth, the satellite took pictures of Nepal for six to 10 minutes during each revolution.
Although Nepsat-1’s objectives and capacities were underwhelming, they did usher in a path for Nepal’s space desires. With Nepal yearning for commercial satellite operations, better days are coming for Nepal’s satellite ambitions.
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How excited are you with the prospects of Nepal’s satellite roaming in the sky? Do leave your comments below
