On April 20, 2024, the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (AESS) and the
IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) of IEEE Brac University SBC collaborated to
organise the highly anticipated event, “CosMatrix: Connecting the World and Space.” The
event consisted of two segments, the second and final phase of the Satellite Expedition
Contest (SEC), and a seminar on the youth research group, Amateur Experimental Rocketry
Dhaka (AERD).

For the final phase of the satellite expedition contest, eight teams were selected based on the
papers submitted in the first phase of the competition. The eight participating teams
represented various universities nationwide, such as Bangladesh University of Engineering
and Technology (BUET), Islamic University of Technology (IUT), International Islamic
University Chittagong (IIUC), BRAC University, and Shahjalal University of Science and
Technology (SUST).

The distinguished panel of judges for this contest comprised of MD Mojammel Haque
Shourobh (Electronics Engineer, Maple IT Solutions), Sanando Jagati Chayan (Assistant
Manager, Network Operation Control Center, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited), Bijoy
Talukder (Assistant Manager System Administrator, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited
(BSCL)), and Touhidul Islam (Assistant Manager (Technology, Planning & Implementation),
Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL)).
The speaker’s panel featured Abdullah Hil Kafi (advisor of IEEE Aerospace and Electronic
Systems Society Bracu SB), Raihana Shams Islam Antara (advisor of IEEE Communication
Society Bracu SB), and Dr. David Dowland (registrar of Brac University).
The contest commenced at 11 AM following a brief introduction from the host, Subaita
Hassan Neha. The participants showcased their ideas one by one and received valuable
comments on their mission ideas, including suggestions for improvement, elements that
attracted the judges, and how their mission could be utilised at the national level. A lunch
break was issued from 1:30 PM to 2 PM, by which time all but two of the eight teams had
presented.
After lunch, the second segment of the event, which was a seminar titled “Rocketry in
Bangladesh: Making Dreams Come True,” was conducted by AERD (Amateur Experimental
Rocketry Dhaka – AERD). The seminar took the audience on an exciting journey through the
origin story of AERD spanning continents, to an incredible showdown of the fascinating
works on hybrid propulsion currently being done by the team now. The speakers of the
seminar were Baldwin Chen (Project Leader of AERD), Fatin Al Habib Nafis (Member of
Aviation & Guidance, Navigation Control), and Syeda Mahmuda (Sub Team Lead of
Parachute Development and Design of AERD). The seminar went on from 2:00 PM to 3:15
PM.

After the seminar, the final two teams presented their projects. The presentation ended at 5.30
PM. Following the seminar and contest, hosted by Tabassum Tunan, the registrar of Brac
University, Dr. David Dowland, delivered a speech stating how this contest will play a crucial
role in fostering innovation, skill development, and pavie the way for Bangladesh’s
advancement in the field of satellite technology. After his speech, the advisors of IEEE
Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society BRACU SB and IEEE Communications Society
BRACU SB handed over the tokens of gratitude and flower bouquets to Dr. David Dowland
and the project leader of AERD, Mr. Baldwin Chen.
Following this, the judges of the contest shared their reflections on their journey in this
exciting and advancing field. In the concluding remarks, they expressed their admiration for
the remarkable ingenuity and dedication displayed by the participants and emphasised the
potential impact of such competitions in driving forward the progress of satellite technology.
Dr. David Dowland then handed over the crest and prize money to the winner of the
competition, “TEAM ASTRO THRUST” from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT),
the first runner-up “ETHEREAL LUMINARY” from SUST, and the second runner-up,
“LUXORBIS” from BRAC University.

In the end, following a group photo that included the guests, judges, registrar, and the chapter
advisors of IEEE AESS BRACU SB and IEEE COMSOC BRACU SB, the EB panel of
AESS and ComSoc, AERD members, and the participants of the Satellite Expedition Contest,
the chapters concluded the grand event with the hope that it indeed has bridged the gap
between the world and space.