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Pakistan Space and Satellite Developments

China, Pakistan cooperate in space
By Syed Fazl-e-Haider

QUETTA, Pakistan - In a joint statement issued last week at the conclusion of Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's official visit to China, both sides said they are determined to elevate their friendship and strategic partnership.

As strategic partners, China and Pakistan have agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of space science and technology. While China can transfer space technology to Pakistan, the South Asian country can in return assist China in space by establishing a station on its soil to track Chinese satellites.

The two sides have reportedly agreed that the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) will form a working group that will negotiate the purchase of satellites from China. SUPARCO, Pakistan's national space agency, was established in 1962 as an autonomous research and development organization under the federal government.

Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation in the space industry could span a broad spectrum, including climate science, clean energy technologies, clean water technologies, cyber-security, basic space, atmospheric and earth sciences, and marine sciences.

It is worth mentioning that it was China that launched Pakistan's first satellite into orbit in 1990 because Pakistan had no spaceport. Badr-A, Pakistan's first indigenously developed satellite, was launched on July 16 that year from Xichang Launch Center in southwestern China's Sichuan province. It was launched with the Long March 2E rocket, which is designed to lift 6,800 kilograms to a low elliptical orbit ranging from 400 to 800 kilometers above Earth. The rocket, called Cluster Carrier, blasted off from a new pad built to launch bigger boosters. The Long March 2E, with four boosters strapped on, carried a large Australian dummy satellite. The satellite successfully completed its design life.

The visiting Pakistani prime minister sought Chinese cooperation in rocket science and space technology. China can help Pakistan in developing and launching satellites. Pakistan's space program is aimed at furthering research in space science and allied fields, enhancing indigenous capabilities in space technology, and promoting the peaceful applications of space science and technology for the socio-economic development of the country.

SUPARCO started building a small amateur radio satellite in late 1986 with support from the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society. It was supposed to be launched by a US space shuttle, but the 1986 Challenger explosion and the resulting delays required a change in plans. In December 2001, Pakistan launched its second satellite, Badr-B, an Earth-observation satellite, on a Zenit 2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It was designed by the United Kingdom's Space Innovations Ltd. Last month, Pakistan successfully test-fired a Hataf VII cruise missile with a range of 700km. It is capable of carrying various types of warheads, including nuclear.

Pakistan is implementing a strategic program for launching the country's own satellite to replace Paksat-1, which has already completed its design life. Launched in February 1996, Paksat-1 was Pakistan's first geostationary satellite and was designed to serve Indonesia. It was originally manufactured by Boeing and used the HS 601 spacecraft design. According to the plan, the Paksat-1R satellite will replace Paksat-1 in 2010. The new Pakistani satellite would orbit the Earth at a height of 200-300km and complete a round of its orbit in 70 minutes. The rocket carrying the new satellite would travel at a speed of 29,000 km/h. Islamabad wants to get space technology from China to achieve the ambitious goals of economic progress and making the country impregnable.

SUPARCO signed a consulting deal with Telesat last month for advice on the purchase, manufacture and launch of the Paksat-1R satellite. Under the agreement, Telesat will help the Pakistani agency find a manufacturer and provide technical and commercial advice during the negotiation process. Telesat will also help oversee the construction of the new satellite and monitor the launch and in-orbit testing services.

Beijing launched its first satellite, Mao 1, to Earth orbit on its own Long March space rocket in April 1970. This made China the fifth nation with a space rocket. Since 1970, China has made scores of successful satellite launches. In 2000, Beijing orbited its first high-resolution electro-optical imaging satellite, which relays its digital pictures by radio to ground stations. China launched its first military communications satellite in January 2000 as part of a People's Liberation Army command-and-control network linking forces for combat. By the end of 2001, China had launched nearly 50 satellites with a 90% success rate. The spacecraft have included remote sensing, communications and weather satellites for both civilian and military use.

China started offering commercial space-launch services to foreign satellite owners in 1986 during a time when US shuttles and European rockets were grounded. Numerous satellites have been launched for foreign clients. Great Wall Industrial Corp is China's commercial space-launch firm. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp is a large state-owned enterprise that builds five different series of satellites. Today, Beijing is looking forward to expanding its share of the international market for satellite launches and other space services. It has already signed 16 pacts with 13 governments and organizations and established space-industry cooperation with more than 40 countries and international organizations.

Experts in Pakistan view China as the only country that is in a position to transfer space technology to Pakistan. In the initial stages, Pakistan would place its satellite in orbit with Chinese assistance and later develop rockets indigenously.

Launching a remote-sensing satellite is Pakistan's first priority because such a satellite can be used in a variety of cartographic studies. Chinese rocket technology, according to the experts, is the best in the world - the United States drops satellites into the sea and then a special ship recovers them, while China has succeeded in landing its spacecraft on ground.

China recently startled the world by destroying one of its old satellites in space. Numerous US satellites in space are now within range of Chinese anti-satellite weapons. China has not only achieved the capability of launching its satellites into space but is also developing rockets.

Pakistan and China have been strengthening cooperation in the space industry. Last August, China committed to work with Pakistan to launch three Earth-resource satellites over the next five years. The relevant institutions of the two countries had already started the groundwork to launch the satellites within the stipulated period.

Pakistan, China and seven other countries signed a treaty for the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) in 2005. China's legislature ratified the treaty last June. The APSCO will be formally established after China receives approvals from at least five participating countries' parliaments. China is actively engaged in the setting up of APSCO, which will be based in Beijing. The formation of APSCO is expected to facilitate further exchanges and cooperation in space technology in the region.

Syed Fazl-e-Haider, sfazlehaider05@yahoo.com, is a development analyst based in Quetta, Pakistan. He is the author of six books, including The Economic Development of Balochistan, published in May 2004.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/ID26Df01.html
 
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Interesting developments.
Pakistan has to come to space to cover its gain in defense developments.
Good that they are now working more pro-actively.
Kashif
 
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the location of the new Pakistani consulate in China is a very smart selection.
beside JF-17's manufactory in Chengdu, Xichang Satellite Launch Centre is within 500km to the southwest. both in Sichuan Province.
 
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I hadn't thought about that Kev, thankS for pointing it out!
 
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PakSat-IR satellite project expected to be completed by year 2011 PDF Print E-mail

KARACHI, Mar 27 (APP): National Communication Satellite Project (PakSat-IR) is expected to be completed by the year 2011.

This was stated at a conference organised by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) here on Tuesday.

An official of SUPARCO pointed out that the moot was aimed to seek participation of the local public and private sector research and development organisations in the implementation of the national communication satellite Project (PAKSAT-IR).

A senior official of SUPARCO Iqbal Rao gave a presentation elaborating the technical and commercial aspects of the project, defining the role Pakistan’s local industry could play in its execution.

SUPARCO has signed a contract with M/s Telesat, a consultant from Canada, for the implementation of a major portion of the project.

Raymiles, the consultant from Telesat, highlighted the role his firm would be playing in the development of PakSat-IR and what role the local partners would have in it.

Various local organisations from the IT and Telecom, Communication Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Software Development sectors as well as representatives from prominent educational institutions in the southern region attended the conference.

The National Communication Satellite Project is expected to be completed by 2011. The communication satellite PAKSAT-1R will prove to be a source of self reliance for most of Pakistan’s communication needs and give a boost to the local industry with a wide range of cheap and value-added communication solutions.

http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6788&Itemid=2
 
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PakSat-IR satellite project expected to be completed by year 2011 PDF Print E-mail

KARACHI, Mar 27 (APP): National Communication Satellite Project (PakSat-IR) is expected to be completed by the year 2011.

This was stated at a conference organised by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) here on Tuesday.

An official of SUPARCO pointed out that the moot was aimed to seek participation of the local public and private sector research and development organisations in the implementation of the national communication satellite Project (PAKSAT-IR).

A senior official of SUPARCO Iqbal Rao gave a presentation elaborating the technical and commercial aspects of the project, defining the role Pakistan’s local industry could play in its execution.

SUPARCO has signed a contract with M/s Telesat, a consultant from Canada, for the implementation of a major portion of the project.

Raymiles, the consultant from Telesat, highlighted the role his firm would be playing in the development of PakSat-IR and what role the local partners would have in it.

Various local organisations from the IT and Telecom, Communication Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Software Development sectors as well as representatives from prominent educational institutions in the southern region attended the conference.

The National Communication Satellite Project is expected to be completed by 2011. The communication satellite PAKSAT-1R will prove to be a source of self reliance for most of Pakistan’s communication needs and give a boost to the local industry with a wide range of cheap and value-added communication solutions.

http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6788&Itemid=2


Did u have any technicall details of PakSat-IR i think this will be the 4th Pakistani satellite
1. Badar 1
2. Badar B
3. Pak Sat

:enjoy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan's_Satellite_Launch_Vehicle
 
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Did u have any technicall details of PakSat-IR i think this will be the 4th Pakistani satellite
1. Badar 1
2. Badar B
3. Pak Sat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan's_Satellite_Launch_Vehicle

Badr A/B are ameture radio satellites, and Paksat is on lease untill something like 2010/2011 when Pakistan will launch Paksat 1R. Paksat as I understand dameged but works its there to hold the posistion in space for a Pakistani satellite.

I don't have any technical details on it because it is under development phase however, if you go on, http://www.suparco.gov.pk/ you can look at some detials of the systems that Pakistan is considering.
 
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Pakistan to have its own satellite in orbit in three years says President Musharraf
Islamabad, Pakistan | 25 Jan, 2003

http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov....spx?nPRPressReleaseId=558&nYear=2007&nMonth=4

Pakistan Saturday launched its distance education programme through satellite as President Pervez Musharraf promised the country will place its indigenously built satellite in orbit in three years.

"We will put our own satellite in orbit in three years," the President announced at the launching ceremony of Distance Education Program through Paksat I, Pakistan's first communication satellite, amidst a thunderous applause.

Pakistan's satellite, the President said will not only meet its communication needs but will also be an earth observation satellite for our national interests.

The launching ceremony and the address of the President\ was beamed live in forty countries through Pakstan 1 and were also webcast. He said Suparco (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) will rise to the occasion and make the lift off of our satellite possible in few years time.

The President said, "although we have space of five years to launch our own satellite, but I have given three years for the task."

The President termed the launching of Paksat I as a "tremendous achievement" and said "we will unveil the power of technology to bring high quality education to all.” He asked the Higher Education Commission and the Education Ministry to dovetail their efforts with the Ministry of Science and Technology to project Pakistan beyond its borders.

The satellite, he said, provides us an opportunity to learn new technology and to work on our indigenous satellite project.

Earlier, he said, till the time we had no satellite in orbit there was a psychological barrier that prevented us from achieving our targets, however, now it has been removed with the launch of Paksat I.

The President said, earlier prohibitive cost of bandwidth prevented us from using the satellite technology for education. However, now with the costs plummeting we can use it for commercial purposes.

The Paksat I, he said, will now be used to meet the tele communication needs of the people, particularly those living in the remote areas and Pakistan can move ahead on its e governance plan.
The four educational channels, he said, will help the government provide free education in all the nooks and corners of the country. He said, we will not only meet the higher educational needs through the Virtual University but also the primary and secondary educational requirements through the Paksat I.

"We will harness the power of internet to provide high quality education to the people of Pakistan," the President said. The President said being the Chairman of the Comstech, he sees many exciting uses of this new technology.

"Pakistan can be developed as a hub of learning for the Muslim Ummah. We can use Paksat I to beam educational programs in the Muslim world.” He said, "We can spread a positive image of Pakistan and serve as a global information service."

President Musharraf said, if we look back at the state of technology three years back, the changes brought in are nothing but revolutionary. He said, "we went ahead to rectify the years of neglect in key areas, gave directions and stayed on course."

Today, he said, 56 of our universities have free internet access and are networked for collaborative research. These are further hooked up with the universities of repute in research and development in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

"Show me a country which has made such a progress in two years. The private sector has been fully involved with the government to evolve a dynamic IT policy that has brought about a revolution," he added.

He said the budget for Science and Technology has been increased by 4000 percent, local internet connections have been increased from 29 to 1025 towns and cities, the bandwidth rates have been slashed from 86,000 US$ per 2 Mbit to 3800 US $ per annum, there is a 50 years tax holiday for IT industry and I will show you Pakistan.
He said, the day is nothing but a milestone in our country's history. "We as a nation are grateful to the entire team who brought to us this success."

The President appreciating the hard work and dedication put in to make the satellite operational said that he was only a decision maker and a facilitator to the project, "but they are the ones who made this achievement possible."

The President referred to the time when Dr Atta first approached him for the project and apprised that the country had already lost four of the five slots reserved in the space for its satellite. He regretted that the inaction of the previous governments caused the country this great loss.

President Musharraf said the matter was immediately approved by the Cabinet, however the only risk was that since the satellite will be moved from one orbit to another, it may fail and we loose the 450 million dollars.

He said, "I was kept informed of the progress of the satellite and I relaxed when it was successfully put in its place in the slot reserved for Pakistan and it started beaming.” He said, "the risk was always there, but when 'niyaat' (intentions) are clean and noble for the nation, than Allah Almighty also helps."
 
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Good Going Pakistan. UGC of India already does this, and is tremendous tool in rural education.
 
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country had already lost four of the five slots reserved in the space for its satellite. He regretted that the inaction of the previous governments caused the country this great loss.

Though, Pakistan was the earliest starters of space programms in south asia but all politcal governments ruined it all, similar to the rest of state affairs and the state.
Imagine if Musharraf wasn't ruling in 2003.
Musharraf has worked real hard and smart to undoo all blunders of past.
 
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Though, Pakistan was the earliest starters of space programms in south asia but all politcal governments ruined it all, similar to the rest of state affairs and the state.
Imagine if Musharraf wasn't ruling in 2003.
Musharraf has worked real hard and smart to undoo all blunders of past.

Hasn't Musharraf been selling all the national assets SUPARCO is probably sold where is the national space program. He hasn't created anything new all the previous establisments added something unless u can add something to the space program like institutions, universeties and anounce a spaceport development.
 
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Hasn't Musharraf been selling all the national assets SUPARCO is probably sold where is the national space program. He hasn't created anything new all the previous Establishments added something unless u can add something to the space program like institutions, universities and announce a spaceport development.

AT least he is not Known as MR 10%.

what do u want him to add.please share with us all.u think years of bad decisions can be fixed over night.
we all no only BIBI could.but she was to busy filing up her purse she forgot to fix even the leaky toilet.:enjoy:
 
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AT least he is not Known as MR 10%.

what do u want him to add.please share with us all.u think years of bad decisions can be fixed over night.
we all no only BIBI could.but she was to busy filing up her purse she forgot to fix even the leaky toilet.:enjoy:

Right I will explain what is required by the way its her father who launched the SUPARCO and its Benazir who lauched the rocket factory that produces Missiles for Pakistan, and it was her government who took the space program seriouse she pushed the space program led to the launch of the satellites. The requirements for a space program.

Pakistan require increased budget on the program so that more R&D can develop, it requires more Universeties it requires more an advance setup of Steal mills and advance network of metallurgist, a independent institute for aerodynamics and this leads to quality testing.

The topic is about setallites therefore there is a clear need of advanced semiconductors institute of development and this also requires R&D there is a need of management of quility as the silicon must be of the most purest quality and there must not be any bad quality silicon
as this will cause bad performanc for the semiconductor. There will be a requirement of training and testing institute and the study can be done by advanced engineers from industry or Universeties.

There is a lot more I will explain later.
 
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country had already lost four of the five slots reserved in the space for its satellite. He regretted that the inaction of the previous governments caused the country this great loss.

What is this "loss of slots"?
If a country lacks in technology, then why it looses the slot and who capture these slots?
and suppose if Pakistan or any other third world country becomes successful in manufacturing sats, then where they will send them. Are they provided with other slots or what are the options?
This looks totally unjust. On one hand western countries try to block any technological advancement in third world specially muslim nations and on the other hand slot loosing, what is the solution of this?
 
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Interceptor,

If you could find more information on the individual satellites, badr-1 etc.. Do share. It is something which is being worked on in Space section of the site. :tup:
 
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