SpaceX Aims for Technical Launch in Bangladesh by May, VP Informs Prof Yunus

Lauren Dreyer, Vice-President for Global Engagement at SpaceX, met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit in Doha to discuss the final stages of bringing SpaceX satellite services to Bangladesh, according to Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir.

Dreyer, a longtime collaborator of Elon Musk, expressed confidence in the project's timeline, saying, “We’re very close to the finish line. I’ve asked my team to be fully ready for a technical launch by May.” 

Prof Yunus welcomed the news with enthusiasm, noting the widespread anticipation in Bangladesh. “It’s big news in Bangladesh. People are counting down the days,” he said. “And when the time comes, it has to be a big celebration.”

The partnership is expected to begin with a technical rollout, followed by full deployment, pending a few remaining adjustments. PayPal—another company originally co-founded by Musk—is also being considered to facilitate digital transactions linked to SpaceX operations in the country.

“This has been one of the most streamlined and well-organised initiatives we've been part of,” Dreyer told Prof Yunus.

The meeting was also attended by senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed.