Paknet launches New Internet Service | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Paknet launches New Internet Service

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will develop its own Satellite Launching Vehicle within a period of about three years, to carry out environmental tests.

This was stated by Dr. Abdul Majid, Chairman Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), while talking to newsmen here Wednesday after opening of International Workshop on Low Cost Space Missions.

Pakistan, he said is also planning to develop its own indigenous ‘Earth Observation Satellite’ within a period of two to three years.

To a question, he said the Badr-B satellite will be launched in March next year.

Earlier addressing the inaugural session of the workshop, Dr. Abdul Majid said Pakistan’s long-term development programme is aimed at developing manpower and relevant infrastructure for design an fabrication of light weight satellites.

He said Pakistan’s first experimental satellite BADR-1, successfully launched into a low earth orbit in July 1990, was indigenously designed and fabricated facilities were used for its tracking, acquisition and tele-command.

He said the primary mission objectives of BADR-1 were evaluation of indigenously designed hardware and software in space environment, and to obtain hands-on experience in tele-commands and two-way communications between the ground control station and the spacecraft, which were largely achieved.

The experience and the confidence gained has been used to complete the Second Satellite which presently is undergoing integration tests with the Russian satellite in Moscow, he added.

BADR-B is scheduled to be launched from Baikonour Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on Zenit-2 ocket. The main mission objectives of BADR-B programme include indigenous development of low cost satellites and creation of necessary infrastructure for true development in this field.

The Chairman SUPARCO said Pakistan has always been very keen to share its known-how, information and development efforts with the Islamic Ummah.

He said proposals for participation in Pakistan’s BADR satellite programme and development of a Pan-Islamic Earth Observation Satellite could be cited as efforts made by Inter- Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET) towards that end.

The main objectives of ISNET are to exchange information, share experience and collaborate in the areas of common interest to the member states with a view to helping each other in building up their national capabilities in space science, space applications and space technology. This was to be achieved through implementation of joint R & D projects, render advisory services and help member states in the’ training of quality manpower, Dr. Majid added.

He said workshop would provide a unique opportunity to the participants from the Islamic World to share the know-how and experience of space technology in their respective countries.

Source: The News

Date:11/2/1999