Walton partners with a2i to facilitate Bangladesh’s first lunar satellite mission

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Walton Television's advanced facilities, including its ISO class 7 dust-free cleanroom and lab research capabilities, will play a crucial role in supporting Bangladesh's inaugural lunar satellite project undertaken by Aspire to Innovate (a2i).

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Monday, November 20, 2023.

Representatives from both organizations, Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan (Project Director, a2i) and Nazrul Islam Sarker (Deputy Managing Director, Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC), inked the MoU on behalf of their respective entities.

The event was attended by Md Shamsul Arefin, Secretary of the ICT Division, as the chief guest, while Anir Chowdhury, a2i’s project adviser, participated virtually as a special guest.

Addressing the ceremony, ICT Secretary Shamsul Arefin highlighted the moon's significance as a potential business destination, mentioning the valuable helium-3 isotope and its clean energy potential for Earth.

He expressed gratitude to Walton TV for contributing its advanced cleanroom and lab research technology to advance the country’s lunar satellite mission.

Nazrul Islam Sarker, Deputy Managing Director of Walton Hi-Tech, affirmed Walton's commitment to supporting the lunar satellite development mission by providing advanced equipment and lab research facilities from its television production plant.

Chief Business Officer of Walton TV, Engineer Mostafa Nahid Hossain, emphasized the high standard of Walton TV's manufacturing plant, boasting an ISO class 7 dust-free cleanroom, research lab, and testing facilities. He reiterated Walton's capability to offer these facilities to any institution in need.

Arman Ibne Shahjahann, Coordinator of the Walton TV Research team for the Lunar Satellite Assembling Project, expressed pride in being an associated partner in Bangladesh’s first NASA-endorsed lunar satellite development mission.

The joint efforts of a2i, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University, and the Research and Innovation (R&I) Center of Walton Television will lead to the development of a femto-shaped satellite for NASA's Glee mission.

This initiative places Bangladesh on the global stage as a participant in NASA's 'The Great Lunar Expedition for Everyone.' Represented by the a2i Innovation Lab, Bangladesh is set to join the exclusive 'Lunar Elite Club' of 30 countries.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Naeem Ashrafi (Head of a2i Innovation Fund), Zahid Hasan Shovon (Lunar Satellite Project Team Leader and Chief Engineer), Abir Ahmed (Deputy CBO, Walton TV), Mithun Chakraborty (Head of Walton TV’s Research and Innovation), Zahidul Islam (Walton’s Senior Executive Director), and other officials from Walton and a2i.