http://riuma.uma.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10630/6701/Pakistan National Student Satellite Program.pdf?sequence=6
Summary:
Micro-satellite development at University environment provides hands-on experience of building a satellite from design through launch and orbit operations for students in a cost effective way. Since multi-disciplinary efforts are required for satellite program are normally available in Universities therefore this kind of projects coupled with team building would provide valuable contribution to aerospace field. It would not only involve training scientists and engineers for the future but it can also used as a tool for development of new technologies using research culture of university environment for future system.
Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the national space agency has taken an initiative in the form of "Pakistan National Student Satellite Program (PNSSP)", envisioning a long-term program to involve, train and prepare university students for the high-tech space industry. The proposed program is a way forward for sustainable and progressive student satellite developments under the umbrella of SUPARCO. Sir Syed University of engineering and Technology, Pakistan has taken initiative to join hand with SUPARCO for first student satellite program. The development of attitude determination and control, and power sub systems will be carried out at Electronic Engineering Department with review and funding support from SUPARCO. The project will be implemented through involvement of students, research scholars and faculty members. The proposed design of satellite is a 50 kg class Micro Satellite, measuring 50cm by 50cm by 50cm, with an average power of ~50 W and design life of 1-2 years, to be launched in a low earth orbit (LEO) at ~500 km altitude, carrying Store forward, earth μCAM, and scientific experiments payload.
This talk will describe the system design concept, science mission, common subsystem description, and major challenges for development of student satellite.
New developments:
Suparco Projects:
-PRSS-1: China building and launching in 2016
IST and University level projects:
Moot on aerospace science and engineering starts - thenews.com.pk
-ICUBE2: IST has embarked on planning larger 2U Cubesat ‘ICUBE-2’ with larger payload capacity and advanced attitude control system for more sophisticated applications. It will indeed open up a large vista of experiments and research that could be conducted in space, by all the students, scientists and engineers of our universities and R & D organisations. ~2Kg Cubesat
-Susat-1 (Student Satellite -1) Pakistan multi-university Project: Remote sensing and communication. Program officially launched Oct 2013. ~The proposed design of satellite is a 50 kg class Micro Satellite, measuring 50cm by 50cm by 50cm, with an average power of ~50 W and design life of 1-2 years, to be launched in a low earth orbit (LEO) at ~500 km altitude, carrying Store forward, earth μCAM, and scientific experiments payload.
Student satellite programme launched - thenews.com.pk
Joint-country projects:
-APSCO Sat-6: IST is also actively participating in the progress of Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO). We have been selected as a lead university for APSCO Sat-6, which is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Remote Sensing Satellite with Inter Satellite Links capability. The initial feasibility study of the project has been completed and project approval is awaited. IST will invite other Pakistani universities and sister organizations to participate in this prestigious satellite project.
-IST will also be working with China on Beihang University’s three satellite constellation in the Low Earth Orbit aimed at accurate Space Environment Measurement and Research.
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/ralspace/resources/pdf/chuzhongyi-smallsatelliteformationflyingsyste.pdf
It makes sense that Pakistan, with it's very low funding for a space program, is now concentrating on small low cost missions and International collaboration which shares and lowers the cost with partner countries.
At the Highest level Pakistan is collaborating with China on Communication and Remote Sensing Satellites (both Electro-Optical and SAR). PAKSAT-IR has been launched and PRSS is due 2017. I would expect the SAR satellite to follow a few years later, followed by another Comm satellite.
At the National level it is difficult to see what Suparco is doing as these programs are classified.
At the sub-national & International level Pakistan is working with APSCO on APSCO-Sat 6, which might be similar to the Susat-1 program (maybe they will be merged or one will be cut to avoid duplication?) and IST is working with a Chinese University.
At the University and Research level, ICUBE-1 has been launched by IST and ICUBE-2 is being planned. Other universities will work with Suparco on the Susat-1 program (50kg Micro Satellite).
Summary:
Micro-satellite development at University environment provides hands-on experience of building a satellite from design through launch and orbit operations for students in a cost effective way. Since multi-disciplinary efforts are required for satellite program are normally available in Universities therefore this kind of projects coupled with team building would provide valuable contribution to aerospace field. It would not only involve training scientists and engineers for the future but it can also used as a tool for development of new technologies using research culture of university environment for future system.
Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the national space agency has taken an initiative in the form of "Pakistan National Student Satellite Program (PNSSP)", envisioning a long-term program to involve, train and prepare university students for the high-tech space industry. The proposed program is a way forward for sustainable and progressive student satellite developments under the umbrella of SUPARCO. Sir Syed University of engineering and Technology, Pakistan has taken initiative to join hand with SUPARCO for first student satellite program. The development of attitude determination and control, and power sub systems will be carried out at Electronic Engineering Department with review and funding support from SUPARCO. The project will be implemented through involvement of students, research scholars and faculty members. The proposed design of satellite is a 50 kg class Micro Satellite, measuring 50cm by 50cm by 50cm, with an average power of ~50 W and design life of 1-2 years, to be launched in a low earth orbit (LEO) at ~500 km altitude, carrying Store forward, earth μCAM, and scientific experiments payload.
This talk will describe the system design concept, science mission, common subsystem description, and major challenges for development of student satellite.
New developments:
Suparco Projects:
-PRSS-1: China building and launching in 2016
IST and University level projects:
Moot on aerospace science and engineering starts - thenews.com.pk
-ICUBE2: IST has embarked on planning larger 2U Cubesat ‘ICUBE-2’ with larger payload capacity and advanced attitude control system for more sophisticated applications. It will indeed open up a large vista of experiments and research that could be conducted in space, by all the students, scientists and engineers of our universities and R & D organisations. ~2Kg Cubesat
-Susat-1 (Student Satellite -1) Pakistan multi-university Project: Remote sensing and communication. Program officially launched Oct 2013. ~The proposed design of satellite is a 50 kg class Micro Satellite, measuring 50cm by 50cm by 50cm, with an average power of ~50 W and design life of 1-2 years, to be launched in a low earth orbit (LEO) at ~500 km altitude, carrying Store forward, earth μCAM, and scientific experiments payload.
Student satellite programme launched - thenews.com.pk
Joint-country projects:
-APSCO Sat-6: IST is also actively participating in the progress of Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO). We have been selected as a lead university for APSCO Sat-6, which is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Remote Sensing Satellite with Inter Satellite Links capability. The initial feasibility study of the project has been completed and project approval is awaited. IST will invite other Pakistani universities and sister organizations to participate in this prestigious satellite project.
-IST will also be working with China on Beihang University’s three satellite constellation in the Low Earth Orbit aimed at accurate Space Environment Measurement and Research.
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/ralspace/resources/pdf/chuzhongyi-smallsatelliteformationflyingsyste.pdf
It makes sense that Pakistan, with it's very low funding for a space program, is now concentrating on small low cost missions and International collaboration which shares and lowers the cost with partner countries.
At the Highest level Pakistan is collaborating with China on Communication and Remote Sensing Satellites (both Electro-Optical and SAR). PAKSAT-IR has been launched and PRSS is due 2017. I would expect the SAR satellite to follow a few years later, followed by another Comm satellite.
At the National level it is difficult to see what Suparco is doing as these programs are classified.
At the sub-national & International level Pakistan is working with APSCO on APSCO-Sat 6, which might be similar to the Susat-1 program (maybe they will be merged or one will be cut to avoid duplication?) and IST is working with a Chinese University.
At the University and Research level, ICUBE-1 has been launched by IST and ICUBE-2 is being planned. Other universities will work with Suparco on the Susat-1 program (50kg Micro Satellite).