Bangladeshi aerospace company DhumketuX has officially unveiled Bidrohi, a domestically built commercial sub-orbital rocket made in Bangladesh, on 29 April.
Named after the celebrated poem Bidrohi by national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the rocket has been positioned by its developers as a symbol of Bangladesh’s growing ambition in science and technology. According to DhumketuX, the rocket is intended to reach sub-orbital space and is designed to carry payloads ranging from 35 to 50 kilograms. It stands 6.1 metres tall and uses a two-stage propulsion system which features a solid-fuel first stage and a liquid-fuel second stage.
Nahiyan Al Rahman ‘Oli’, founder and CEO of DhumketuX said, “We are coordinating with the government for a launch pad of our rocket. The purpose of this rocket launch is commercial. We are going to launch 5 nano satellites (student-designed CubeSat satellites) with it. We are also exploring advertising partnerships involving brand placement aboard the rocket.”
About the launch plans with this particular rocket, Nahiyan said, “Bidrohi is a suborbital rocket. It will fly 200 kilometres with 50 kg payload and 281 kilometres with 35 kg payload. Once deployed, the rocket is expected to remain in space for a number of days before returning to Earth via parachute, landing in the Indian Ocean.”
Nahiyan also added that DhumketuX is planning to showcase the rocket in 8 different locations across the country starting from Mymensingh.
In addition to its commercial objectives, the Bidrohi mission includes scientific research components. The rocket is expected to carry advanced sensors for atmospheric and climate studies. DhumketuX has also indicated that the mission will feature a symbolic tribute to national heritage, including engravings of 200 million Bangladeshi names on the rocket’s upper stage, five national symbols, and a ‘secret payload’ whose details remain undisclosed.
