Space and Upper Atmosphere Research

Commission
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It has been suggested that Astronomy and Astrophysics program of SUPARCO be merged into
this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2014.

Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

SUPARCO logo

Acronym

SUPARCO

Established

September 16, 1961; 54 years ago

Headquarters

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Primary

Sonmiani Terminal Launch

spaceport

Motto

"Strive to achieve self-reliance in space technology

and applications for national security, economy and
society."[1]

Administrator

MGen Ahmad Bilal, CoSigs

Budget

. 6.88 Billion (2010-11)[2]($75.1 million)

Website

www.suparco.gov.pk

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO; Urdu:

) , is anexecutive and bureaucratic space agency of the Government of
Pakistan, responsible for the nation's public and civil space programme and
for aeronautics and aerospace research. Its mission statement and objective is to conduct peaceful
research inspace technology and promote the technology for socio-economic uplift of the country.[3]
Established in its modern form on 16 September 1961 by an executive order of President of
Pakistan, it is headquartered in Karachi,Sindh Province of Pakistan.[4] Part of the Strategic Plans
Division (SPD) of Pakistan Armed Forces, which is currently headquartered at the Chakalala Military
District under the control of the PAF;[5] the space programme recorded number of pioneering
accomplishments in space flight during the initial years of its establishment.[5][6]
Since its creation in 1961, the SUPARCO has achieved numerous milestones, including the first
successful spaceflight of country's first weather expendable launch rocket, Rehbar-I.[7] The country's
first satellite, Badr-I, was built by the SUPARCO and launched by the People's Republic of China in
1990.[7] However during the meantime, the space programme suffered many setbacks, difficulties,
and problems that partly slowed the progress of the space programme.[8] The bureaucratic influence
and politicization further lagged the space programme and many projects were cancelled by the
superior authorities.[8]
Over the years, SUPARCO expanded and has several well expanded installations all over the
country as assets, and cooperates in peaceful use of space technology with the international
community as a part of several bilateral and multilateral agreements.[9]SUPARCO's science and
research is mainly focused and concentrated on better understanding of the Solar system,[10] Space
weather,[11] astrophysics[12] (Big Bang Theory and Physical cosmology),[13] astronomical observation,
[14]
climatic studies,[15] spaceand telemedicine,[16] remote sensing[17] and the Earth observation.[13]
Contents
[hide]

1Aim and mission statement

2History
o

2.1Creation

2.21960s: Space flight programmes

2.31970s1980s: Bureaucratization and reorganization

2.41990s: Orbital slot crises and setbacks

2.52000s & 2010s: Recent developments and revitalisation

3Test facilities and Space centers

4Notable projects and achievements

o

4.1Rehbar spaceflight programme

4.2Hatf Programme

4.3Shaheen-III

5Satellite-control programmes
5.1Communication and geosynchronous satellites

5.1.1Badr-1A

5.1.2PakSat-1Extended

5.1.3PakSat-1Replacement
5.2Weather and earth observation

5.2.1Badr-B

5.2.2Remote sensing satellites

6Planetary sciences and scientific missions

6.1Research facilities
7Functions

7.1Revitalisation and research program of SUPARCO

7.2Specific programs and missions

8Administrators of SUPARCO

9Global participation
o

9.1People's Republic of China

9.2Turkey

9.3International collaboration and MoU

10See also

11References

12External links

Aim and mission statement[edit]

The prime goal and mainstream functional objective of SUPARCO is to undertake research and
develop space technology and associated technologies to be served on the various task related to
national interest of the country.[18] Its official mission states its space policy:

"Strive to achieve self-reliance in space technology and applications for national security, economy
and society."
Mission statement of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, source [1]

History[edit]
Creation[edit]
Main article: Executive Committee of the Space Research Council
The independent research in space sciences and aeronautical development was ensued and
goaded by the senior physicists at the Department of Physics of the Punjab University, in 1957,
following the successful launch of Soviet Union's first artificial satellite, the Sputnik 1[19] However, due
to the political instability, the serious initiatives to establish the programme were not undertaken by
the Government of Pakistan. Since 1958, Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam had played a major and
influential role in the development of Pakistan's science policy. It was Salam's advice to
the President, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, to establish a national space authority to oversee the
development on the space programme; this led to the establishment of the Space and Upper
Atmosphere Research Commission (denoted as SUPARCO) on 16 September 16, 1961, with Abdus
Salam being its first administrator and director. It was decided to set up a committee dealing with
space sciences, consequently, a Space Sciences Research Wing at the Pakistan Atomic Energy
Commission (PAEC). Within few weeks, the committee was established through the Presidential
Executive Order (PEO) of President Ayub Khan which was addressed to co-chairman Ishrat Usmani,
the Chairman of PAEC. The programme of rocket test firings was entrusted to the Chairman of
PAEC.[7]

1960s: Space flight programmes[edit]

One of the most earliest and notable achievements of SUPARCO activities was its unmanned space
flight programme that was recorded on 7 June 1962.[7][20] SUPARCO made research in the
development of first solid-fuel expandable rockets, an assistance provided by the United States.[7] On
7 June 1962, SUPARCO landed a record achievement when it launched first unmanned solidfuel sounding rocket and took its first initial space flight from the Sonmiani Terminal Launch.[20] The
rocket was developed in a joint venture withAir force in a team led by PAF's Air
Commodore (Brigadier-General) WJM Turowicz.[7] Known as the Rehbar-I (lit. Teller of the way),
Pakistan had secured its distinction as the third country in Asia and the tenth in the world to conduct
successful spaceflight.[7] The unmanned spaceflight mission continued under Turowicz, and
according to SUPARCO, since 1962 til the partial termination of mission in 1972, ~200 sounding
rockets took high success space flights from Sonmiani Terminal Launch. [21] The National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA) publicly hailed the space flight programme as the beginning of "a
programme of continuous cooperation in space research of mutual interest. [22]"

An artistic diagram of Paksat-1E satellite.

This cooperative agreement called for the training of Pakistan's scientists, engineers, and
technicians at the specialized facilities in the United States.[22] Before the June 1962 space flight
programme, NASA had begun to train Pakistan's scientists at Wallops Island and the Goddard

Space Flight Centres.[22] NASA also set up fellowships and research associate programmes at
various American universities for "advanced training and experience." [22]
On 25 July 1964, Salam arranged another meeting with President Ayub Khan where SUPARCO was
placed under the direct control of the President of Pakistan; it was followed by constitution of
SUPARCO as an executive but separate authority under the administrative control of Salam on 8
March 1966.[7] By the presidential decree, Salam was brought as its first and founding chairman and
given the powers previously held by the PAEC Chairman. [7]
Abdus Salam laid foundation of space infrastructure in Karachi and Lahore, particularly establishing
infrastructure for physics research. With the establishment of SUPARCO, Pakistan was the
first South Asian country to start a space programme.[23] In 1967, Abdus Salam was succeeded by Air
Commdore Wadysaw Turowicz, as he was made administrator of SUPARCO.[7] Air Commdore
Turowicz led the foundation of research activities and rocketry development in SUPARCO to the field
of aeronautic sciences.[7] The Doppler Radar Station (Islamabad Mission Control Center) was also
establishedin the country as a part of a global network.[8] In 1973, American Apollo
17 astronauts Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans and Harrison Schmitt paid a state visit to Karachi amid
great fanfare, to see the SUPARCO's headquarters.[8] During the early 1970s, the Islamabad
Ionospheric Station within Quaid-e-Azam University was set up and the NASA Landsat ground
station was established near Rawat.[8]

1970s1980s: Bureaucratization and reorganization [edit]

Entering in the late 1970s era, the space programme suffered many setback and experience number
of difficulties, including lack of government response, shortage of technical personnel and expert
engineers needed for the country to have an effective space programme. [8] The space flight
programme was abruptly ended due to lack of funds and lessening government response. [8] It was
during this time the militarization of the space programme took place by Prime minister Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto when many senior combatant officers were appointed at the administrative position in the
space programme.[8] Many scientists involved in the programme were forcefully transferred
to PAEC and KRL to aid the success of the atomic bomb project.[8]

The Badr-I is displayed before its prior launch in 1990.

In 1981, reforms and re-organization of the space programme was carried out when Munir Ahmad
Khan began to rebuild the space infrastructure, particularly in rocketry programme which would later
form the basis of missile programme.[citation needed] On 13 December 1979, Munir Ahmad Khan arranged a
meeting at bureaucratic level with President General Zia-ul-Haq where Khan persuaded the
country's bureaucracy to put efforts to reestablished the space programme with an autonomous
status without any political influence.[citation needed] Under taking the advice of Munir Khan, the space
programme was again reorganized and appointed nuclear engineer dr. Salim Mehmud from PAEC
as the chairman of the SUPARCO.[citation needed] The bureaucratization of the SUPARCO took place in
1981 when the secretariat level committee, the Executive Committee of the Space Research
Council was established with its members containing the officials from the finance, science,
and economics ministries, chaired by the Finance minister of the country.[24] The committee
maintained its bureaucratic control over the space programme and had influence on wide range of

policy measure programme relating the space facilities and financial and scientific development of
the rocketry programmes.[7] In 1979-80s, SUPARCO launched the project to develop country's first
artificial satellite and began sending hundreds of engineers to University of Surrey to participate in
the development of UO-11 which was launched in 1984.[25] In 1983, a communication satellite project
called Paksat was initiated, with the establishment of the 10-meter diameter satellite ground station
for interception of satellite transmissions was set up that was mainly designed against India.
[8]
According to the scientists involved in this programme, the real aim was to launch a satellite that
could stage a "cultural counter attack" on India with the influx of new Pakistani media channels. [8] But
when Zia visited SUPARCO, all projects were cancelled and abruptly ended the satellite programme,
citing the lack of funds.[8] However, Munir Khan and others pressurized Zia to continue the
development of the satellite despite Zia's unwillingness. [8]
After participating in various projects with University of Surrey, the team of engineers returned to
Pakistan in 1986.[25] Munir Ahmad Khan then returned to General Zia-ul-Haq and obtained his
approval to begin practical work on Badr-I.[26] The project was started by SUPARCO's Dr. Salim
Mehmud as director of the project and was supported by the members of Pakistan Amateur Radio
Society.[25] In short span of time, the Project Badr was completed, and the first satellite was
named Badr-1.[25] In 1990, Badr-I Pakistan's first locally built satellite was launched by
the China National Space Administration (CNSA) of People's Republic of China (PRC).[27]

1990s: Orbital slot crises and setbacks[edit]

Pakistan Mission Control Center (PMCC) controls one of many LEOSAR satellite (as one illustrated above)
with close coordination withRussia, France, and member of theInternational Cospas-Sarsat Programme.

In the 1990s, the space programme experienced a number of orbital slot crises and failures, just like
the one experienced in the Soviet space program. In 1991, SUPARCO launched another satellite
project, Badr-B, with the technical assistance provided by the United Kingdom.[citation needed] The
spacecraft's sub-systems were developed and manufactured by Pakistan-based DESTO, SIL, and
BritishRutherford Laboratory, while the spacecraft integration was performed by SUPARCO.[25] The
programme was completed in 1994, and it was expected to be launched the same year.[25] However,
the space programme began to suffer much more serious hindrances and lacked the technical
assistance to launch the satellite on its own.[8] The target to complete the satellite could not be
achieved on time,[25] and in 1994, plans to launch the spacecraft did not materialise, and the launch
was halted and delayed long to 2001.[25] Unlike its competitor Indian space programme which
had ISRO to control over the space programme, Pakistan's space programme was now split
between the competition withPAEC, NDC, DESTO, PAF Missile Command, and the KRL.[28] Despite
its success in its space flight programme in the 1960s, SUPARCO began to face intense competition
from its rival organizations to build the space boosters.[28] In the 1980s, SUPARCO largely took
participation in building the first space booster, Hatf-I, but lost its credibility to KRL who derived the
space vehicle into an operational missile.[29] As early as in 1995, SUPARCI lost its major contract
to NDC bureau to developed the country's first space booster, Shaheen-I.[28]Although, SUPARCO
contributed by building the solid-fuel engine of the rocket and its space launch pad was also used for
the spaceflights,[30] SUPARCO failed to gain the government's interest in its capabilities, and the

control of the Shaheen expandable programme was handed over to NDC bureau as its executive
authority.[30]
In 1999, Abdul Qadeer Khan attempted to persuade President Pervez Musharraf but was unable to
convince him to launch the satellite from Flight Test Center as Ghauri-I as its space booster.[31] In
2001, after long negotiation with the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA), the Badr-B took its first
successful flight with Meteor-3M, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, as Ukrainian Zenit-2 rocket as its
boost launcher.[25] Although the satellite was operated successfully, SUPARCO could not sustain the
control of the satellite.[8] The SUPARCO suffered a major setback and failure in its satellite
programme when the satellite, two years after its launch, was lost in deep space and failed to
reassure its orbital slots and reentry.[8] According to sources within SUPARCO, the satellite was
launched in two years despite its designated life was near five years, yet "no one in SUPARCO really
knows what exactly happened to the satellite when contact was lost with it." [8] Because of the
surrounded secrecy and classified status, and for propaganda value, the details of the missions were
covered up and buried deeply; the government never fully investigated the incident. [8]
In 1993, the Paksat programme was restarted but, unfortunately, terminated in 1994 after SUPARCO
lost the two orbital slots 38E longitude and 41E longitude, which was acquired for it in the Geosynchronous orbit.[8] In 2002, SUPARCO again applied for the allocation of five GSo slots (38E,
41E, 30E, 88E and 101E)and was filed.[8] Although granted, SUPARCO faced the risk of losing its
priority 38E slot, if it didnt launch its own satellite by April 2003.[8] Being nder pressure and
understanding the substantial negative impact on the space programme, SUPARCO made a move
to acquire an American satellite-building firm, Hughes Satellite Systems (HGS), at a cost of
around $5 million. This second-hand satellite had been originally designed for Indonesia, but after a
battery problem occurred making it useless during certain hours of the day, the firm solved the
problem and sold the satellite to Pakistan as Paksat-1.[8]

2000s & 2010s: Recent developments and revitalisation[edit]

In 2000, SUPARCO was brought under the National Command Authority in order to focus on "real
development", as its chairman maintained.[32] Under the privileges and opportunities awarded by
the economic liberalisation policies of Prime minister Shaukat Aziz, SUPARCO pushed herself to
gain the support from the local government and theprivate-sector.[32]
In 2003, Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz began to forcefully push SUPARCO to pursue and
deliver an active space programme.[33] Funds and government support were increased personally by
Pervez Musharraf as he goaded the space programme as "next logical frontier". [33] In 2004,
SUPARCO launched an ambition project to developed country's first Geo-stationary satellite; the
new project was known as Paksat-1Replacement.[34] In 2007, Shaukat Aziz paid a state
visit to Beijing where he successfully persuadedChina to join the project, and to provide financial
assistance to make the project timely successful.[35]
In 2005, then-President Pervez Musharraf outlined his vision for SUPARCO by laying down a clearly
defined agenda for the national space agency to pursue and deliver in minimum time. Musharraf had
made it clear that:

"Pakistan would need to catch up to the world space leaders and make up for lo

In 2011, Paksat 1R satellite was launched from China and was deployed successfully at 38E in
the Geo-stationary orbit.[37][38][39] The new satellite took over the existing satellites of the country in
orbit.[40] Despite its initiatives to make the space programme more extended to private-sector, it was

reportedly revealed by the chairman of SUPARCO in 2012 that "despite its initiatives and
undertaking numerous development projects and joint ventures", but the efforts are seemingly
wasted and work suffers from co-ordination failures at the local government level. [32]

Test facilities and Space centers[edit]

The headquarters of the SUPARCO are located in Karachi, Sindh Province near the Karachi
University; while its administrative infrastructure is well developed and expanded all over the country.
As early as the 1980s, SUPARCO joined the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme of Soviet
Union and finally inaugurated the facility at the SUPARCO Headquarters.[41] Known as "Pakistan
Mission Control Center", the first commissioning test was carried out from 10 November 2009 at
0500Hrs.[41]
The SUPARCO Plant located near Hub (a township of coastal Balochistan in Lasbela), the Paksat1R ground Control Station (near PCSIR Laboratories) and FTR (Flight Testing Range) located in
Sonmiani, also in Balochistan, near Karachi.
Facility

Locations

Primary Functions

Karachi, Sindh
Province

The SUPARCO plant in Karachi was built in the mid1980s to manufacture sounding rockets for upper
atmosphere research. Pakistan's Hatf-I and Hatf-II
ballistic missiles are believed to be derivatives of French
sounding rockets built by or with assistance from the
ESA.\

SUPARCO Institute of
Karachi, Sindh
Technical Training
Province
(SITT)

SITT induces Matriculates all over the Pakistan and train

them with Diploma of Associate Engineering (D.A.E).

Instrumentation
Laboratories (IL)

Karachi, Sindh
Province

The laboratories are responsible for the design and

fabrication of data sensors for rockets, satellites, and
ground equipment.

Aerospace
Institute (AI)

Institute of Space
Technology (IST),
Islamabad

The Aerospace Institute is Pakistan's sole institution for

training personnel in the fields of space technology. It
also serves as a recruiting and training ground for
engineers, scientists, and personnel involved in Pakistan's
space programme.

Satellite Research and

Development
Center(SRDC)

Lahore, Punjab
province

The research and satellite engineering development centre

responsible for the design and development of satellites.

SUPARCO Plant

Satellite Ground
Station(SGS)

Rawat, Islamabad
Capital Territory

The SUPARCO-controlled earth observation and remote

sensing satellite control space centre.

Flight Test
Range(FTR)

Sonmiani Beach,
Balochistan Province

The oldest and main launch facility of SUPARCO.

Mashhood Test Firing

Range (MTFR)

Jhelum City, Punjab

Province

The second orbital launch facility.

PAKSAT Ground
Control
Station (PGCS-L)

Lahore, Punjab
Province

The SUPARCO's ground control facility to control

PAKSAT-1R satellite.

PAKSAT Ground
Control
Station (PGCS-K)

Karachi, Sind Province

The SUPARCO's Ground Control facility to control

PAKSAT-1R satellite.

Notable projects and achievements[edit]

Main article: Abdali-I

Rehbar spaceflight programme[edit]

Main articles: Rehbar-I and Nike-Cajun
On 7 June 1962 at 19:53 hours (PST), the Rehbar-I took its first successful spaceflight in deep
space from the Sonmiani Termial Launch. The rocket soared to about 130 km into the atmosphere,
making Pakistan the third country in Asia and the 10th in the world to conduct such a launch. This
was followed by the second booster, the Rehbar-II, which was also successfully launched from
Sonmiani terminal launch on 9 June 1962. The data received from Rehbar-I and Rehbar-II gave
scientists information on wind shear and structure of layers of the upper atmosphere extending
beyond the stratosphere.[42] The successful launch carried a payload of 80 pounds of sodium and it
streaked up about 130 km into the atmosphere. SUPARCO tested its Rehbar rocket series for more
than a decade. The space flight program was terminated on 8 April 1972.

Hatf Programme[edit]
Main articles: Hatf-I and Integrated Missile Research and Development Programme
The Hatf programme was developed with the contribution of the SUPARCO's scientists with
collaboration with scientists from the KRL. The program was developed in extreme secrecy and was
finally revealed in 1989 by the Pakistan Army. In January 1989, the rocket made its first maiden
spaceflight which was dubbed by the army as "indigenous multistage rocket into deep space"; it was
said to have reached an altitude of more than 480 km. Earlier in 1981, SUPARCO had announced
plans to test a launcher by 1986, and the Pakistan's press reported in early 1989 that a multi-stage
rocket had successfully launched a 150-kilogram payload over 600 kilometers into "deep space. [22]"

Shaheen-III[edit]
Main article: Shaheen-III

The preparations are being made to launched the Pakistan-basedRehbar Nike-Cajun in launch position in the
1962.

SUPARCO, which had participated earlier in the development of the Shaheen-I, began to take
research on developing the first space-expandable vehicle in 1998. On March 2001, Science
Advisor to the President Abdul Qadeer Khan publicly announced that SUPARCO's scientists were in
the general process of building the country's first expendable launch vehicle, and that the contract
has been awarded to SUPARCO rather than NDC.[43]
Abdul Qadeer Khan also cited the motivation that "India had made rapid advances in launch
technology" and satellite manufacturing as another motivation for developing an indigenous launch
capabilities. SUPARCO's previous chairman dr. Abdul Majid confirmed Khan's statement and said
"Pakistan envision a low-cost satellite rocket-booster in order to launch light-weight satellites into
low-earth orbits. Abdul Qadeer Khan closed his statement by adding that "Pakistan has very robust
IRBMs which can launch geostationary orbiting satellites. All Pakistan has to do is to erase Delhi or
Kolkota from the target and point it towards the sky. Instead of Hydrogen bombs and Atomic bombs,
the missiles can easily carry a payload of a satellite". [43] During the IDEAS 2002, the journalists took
pictures of the two possible and similar models of the satellite launch booster of SUPARCO.
It was widely speculated in 2002 by the international media that the country was deriving its missiles
into an effective space boosters as most likely "the second model might also be based on one of
ballistic missiles operational with Pakistan Armed Forces.[44]
On 18 August 2009, Samar Mubarak Mand reported that "Pakistan would launch its own satellite in
April 2011 it made some things seem all to obvious to analyst familiar with the subject". [45] According
to Global Security.org, it was expected that the satellite would be launched from Shaheen-III booster
from unknown Pakistan's space facility.[45] However, the satellite was launched by using the Long
March 3B as its vehicle. However Shaheen-III which was successfully tested on March 9, 2015 by
Pakistan government turned out to be a medium range ballistic missile.It may be possible in the
future for SUPARCO to build lightweight satellites and deliver them using a Shaheen-III variant.

Satellite-control programmes[edit]
Since the early 1960s, when the second spaceflight of Rehbar-II weather rocket successfully took
place to measure up the upper atmosphere; the program on other hand gradually improved. [46] In the
1980s, the Badr satellite program took place to counter the Rohini satellite, and was eventually
launched by SUPARCO in 1990 in China. Since then, SUPARCO has an active satellite control
program and controls various satellites, under the mutual agreement with the international
community, from the Pakistan Mission Control Center (PMCC) located in SUPARCO headquarters.[47]

Communication and geosynchronous satellites[edit]

Main articles: Geosynchronous satellite and Communications satellite
Badr-1A[edit]
Main article: Badr-1
In 1986, SUPARCO took initiatives to locally built country's first digital communication satellite, with
the financial support of ministries of telecommunication and science.[48] Initially,
the government wanted SUPARCO to hold talks with NASA but after the Challenger disaster,
the U.S Government halted all major spaceflights. Instead China voluntarily offered Pakistan to
launch its satellite, using its Long March 2 rockets. In 1990, the satellite was immediately airlifted
to China with SUPARCO personnel. In July 1990, nation's first satellite was launched from China
as, Badr-1, aboard a Long March 2E from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite
successfully completed its designed life and it was termed by the government as "key success "to
SUPARCO.
PakSat-1Extended[edit]
Main article: Paksat-1
The PakSat program was originally conceived in the 1980s but due to its first technical failure, the
program was terminated in 1994. In 2003, SUPARCO held talks with Hughes Space and
Communications Company to lease the one of the Palapa satellite that it placed in ego-synchronous
orbit for Indonesia. After Indonesia publicly declaring that the satellite unusable after an electric
power anomaly; the Hughes Space paid the insurance claims and sold the satellite to SUPARCO as
renaming it as "PakSat-IE".[49] The HGS-3 was then acquired by Pakistan from M/s Hughes Global
Services on "Full Time Leasing " and relocated to Pakistan's reserved slot at 38East. After a series
of orbital maneuvers, the satellite was stabilized at the final location on 20 December 2002 with
0inclination. The satellite is in position at the Pakistan-licensed orbital location, 38east longitude. In
2012. The PakSat-IE was decommissioned later after the second satellite was launched in 2011.
PakSat-1Replacement[edit]
Main article: Paksat-1R
On 14 August 2011, PakSat-1R was launched by China using Long March 3B rocket. The 11,000 lb
Satellite was built by China Academy of Space Technology on DFH-4 space platform; this satellite
replaced PakSat-1E.[50][51][52] The PakSat-1R is program to support all conventional and modern Fixed
Satellite Service (FSS) applications including broadband, E-learning, telemedicine, digital TV and
emergency communications. The PakSat-1R satellite is program to control the total of up to 30
transponders: 18 in Ku-band and 12 in C-band. To ensure high degree of reliability and availability of
the system, SUPARCO has two fully redundant and operational Mission control centers which were
established in Karachi and Lahore, one to act as the Main control facility and the other as Backup
respectively.[53][54]

Weather and earth observation[edit]

Main articles: Weather satellite and Remote sensing satellites
Badr-B[edit]
Main article: Badr-B

In 1992, SUPARCO was given orders to develop its first LEO-based Earth observation satellite.
According to the director of this program Dr. Abdul Majid, the satellite was to launch on June 1996
but the orbital crises delayed the launch of satellite and then it was launched on 10 December 2001
at 17:19 hours UT, Pakistan, from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan aboard a Russian Zenit2 rocket, Russia.
Although, it was successfully put in orbit by SUPARCO in 2003, but according to internal sources in
SUPARCO, the satellite ended up in a major disaster in mere two years after its launch despite its
five-year designated life. The satellite was lost in deep space after it failed to reassure its orbital slot
and failed to make its reentry in Earth's orbit.
Remote sensing satellites[edit]
Main article: Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite
In 2006-07, SUPARCO launched the physical development on high-resolution and the series of the
remote-sensing weather satellties to meet the national and international user requirements in the
field of satellite imagery.[55] This dual purpose remote-sensing and the weather satellite program is
known as the PRS program, and in January 2007, a feasibility and system definition study was
concluded by SUPARCO, which recommended the launch of an optical and Synthetic Aperture
Radar (SAR) satellite to ensure that the domestic and international user requirements are
competitively met. In July 2007, the first prototype of the first optical satellite in this PRS program,
and the launch of the manufacturing of the satellite was planned in the third quarter of year 2008.
[55]
Initially, SUPARCO plans to launch an optical satellite with payload of 2.5-meter PAN in
700 kmsun-synchronous orbit, which will be followed by a series of optical and SAR satellites in the
future. The satellite is under development process and it is being developed by SUPARCO and it is
expected to be launched in 2014.[55]

Planetary sciences and scientific missions[edit]

Every year, SUPARCO sponsors and organizes the World Space Week (WSW) to promote the
understanding of the Earth science in all over the country.[56] SUPARCO works with number of
universities and research institutions to engage in research in observational astronomy and
astrophysics.[57] The Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics (ISPA) of the Karachi
University conducts key and co-sponsors the international level research in astrophysics, with the
joint venture of SUPARCO.[58]
With the continuous development of the indigenous, self-reliant and introduction of the state-of-theart technologies of the space program, SUPARCO offers its services to private sector consortium to
satisfy the industrial and environmental needs and to support economic competitiveness. [59]
SUPARCO operates a national balloon launching facility in Karachi to conduct studies in
atmospheric sciences to determine the vertical profile of ozone up to 3035 km.[60] This balloon
sounding facility has been extensively used for carrying out research in better understanding of
the meteorology and how the ozone in the stratosphere and troposphere vary seasonally.[60] The
Ionospheric Station at Karachi operates an Ionosonde Observation facility, and recently the balloon
flight mission was carried out by the station on 16 January 2004, up to an altitude of about 36 km to
measure the vertical profile of the O3 trends.[60] The maximum O3 observed 12.65 mPa at 27 km.
[60]
One of the most notable mission of SUPARCO is its Lunar program that conducts observational
studies on the activity of Lunar phases and distributes its publications as public domains. [61]

Research facilities[edit]
Facility

Location

Description

Institute of Space
Technology

Islamabad

a research and development facility. The IST was established and founded
by the government of United Kingdom. Institute of Space Technology offers
degree programs in Aerospace Engineering, Communication systems
engineering, Material Engineering, Space Sciences and Mechanical
Engineering.

SUPARCO Institute of
Technical
Training (SITT)

Karachi

a teaching and technical training facility. SUPARCO Institute of Technical

Training (SITT) offers diploma programs in Mechanical and Electronics
Technology.

Karachi
University

ISPA is the nations leading and one of the oldest astronomical facility that
was built and constructed by the United States. The ISPA is responsible for
space and planetary science research.[57] A number of foreign scientists have
used and research the ISPA facility where they published numerous articles
in the field of space sciences.[62] The ISPA has also a powerful telescope and
astronomical observatory which was last provided by the United States
Government in the late 1950s.[57]

University
of Punjab

The facility carries out a wide variety of research programs in the field
of solar physics, plasma physics, astrophysics, remote sensing and planetary
sciences.[57] The Department of Space Science has a small space observatory.
It is the oldest space observatory in the country and has remained a center of
learning for more than 75 years.

Institute of Space and

Planetary
Astrophysics(ISPA)

Department of Space
Science

Functions[edit]
Revitalisation and research program of SUPARCO [edit]
In 2005, then-President Pervez Musharraf outlined his vision for SUPARCO by laying down a clearly
defined agenda for the national space agency to pursue and deliver in minimum time. Musharraf had
made it clear that:

"Pakistan would need to catch up to the world space leaders and make up for lo

In his book, In the Line of Fire: A Memoir, Musharraf has expressed his desire that "SUPARCO has
suffered severe economic and global sanctions but in future Pakistan will send its satellites from its
soil". Revitalization, restructuring, reorientation and modernization of SUPARCO are the main
objectives outlined by President Musharraf. SUPARCO is to be brought at par with other strategic
organizations around the world. Specific objectives include research and development
of communication satellites, remote sensing satellitesand satellite launch vehicles, with the objective
of bringing rapid growth and socio-economic development in the fields
of education, astronomy, Cosmology, Exobiology, Stellar science, Planetary

science, Planets, Extrasolar Planet, dwarf

planets, Comets, Asteroids, astrophysics, astrobiology, astrochemistry, aerospace
engineering, rocket propellentengineering, information
technology, communications, agriculture sector, mineral excavation and atmospheric sciences.[63][64]

Development of state policy concepts in the sphere of research and peaceful uses of space,
as well as in the interests of national security

Organization and development of space activities in Pakistan and under its jurisdiction
abroad

Contributing to state national security and defence capability

Organization and development of Pakistan's cooperation with other states and international
space organizations

Specific programs and missions[edit]

Scientific space research

Remote sensing of Earth

Satellite telecommunication systems

Geographic Information System

Natural Resource Surveying

Environmental monitoring

Acquisition of data for atmospheric/meteorological studies

Development of the ground-based infrastructure for navigation and special information

system

Space activities in the interests of national security and defence

Development of research, test and production base of the space sector

Administrators of SUPARCO[edit]
Num
ber

Name

Dr Abdus Salam

Ter
m
Start
ed

Ter
m
End
ed

1961

1967 Imperial

Alma
Mater

Field(s)

Theoretical Physics

Educational
Background

Doctor of

Philosophy (
Ph.D)

College

Air
Commodore DrW
adysaw Turowicz

1967

Warsaw
University
1979
of
Technology

Air
Commodore K. M. 1979
Ahmad

Dr Salim Mehmud

Aeronautical Engineering

Ph.D

Pakistan Air
1980 Force
Academy

Flight Instructor

Certificated
Flight
Instructor (C
FI)

1980

Oak Ridge
Institute for
Science and
1989 Educationan
d Oak Ridge
National
Laboratory

Nuclear Engineering, Electrical

engineering,Physics, Mathemati
cs, Electronics engineering

Ph.D

Dr M. Shafi
Ahmad

1989

1990

University
of London

Astronomy

Ph.D

Engr.Sikandar
Zaman

1990

1997

University
of Leeds

Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of
Science (B.S
.)

Dr Abdul Majid

1997

2001

University
of Wales

Astrophysics

Ph.D

2001

Pakistan
Army Corps
of Electrical
2010
and
Mechanical
Engineers

Electrical Engineering

B.S.

2010

Pres

Computer Engineering

Master of
Science(M.S

Major
General Raza
Hussain

Major
General Ahmed

Pakistan
Army Corps

Bilal

ent

of Signals
Engineering

Global participation[edit]
People's Republic of China[edit]
In August 2006, Peoples Republic of China signed an agreement with Pakistan to conduct joint
research in space technology and committed to work with Pakistan to launch three Earth-weather
satellites over the next five years.[65] In May 2007, China (as a strategic partner) publicly signed an
agreement with Pakistan to enhance cooperation in the areas of space science and technology. The
Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation in the space industry span a broad spectrum, including climate
science, clean energy technologies,atmospheric and earth sciences, and marine sciences. On the
occasion of Chinese launch of PakSat-1R, Pakistan's ambassador to China expressed the natural
desire of Pakistan for China to send a first officially designated Pakistan astronaut to space aboard a
Chinese spacecraft.[66]

Turkey[edit]
In December 2006, Turkey showed interest to form a joint-venture with Pakistan in its space
programme, particularly in the development of satellites.[67] In 2006, Turkish minister of science,
accompanied by the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, signed the Memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with Pakistan to form a joint-venture with Pakistan in the development of
satellite technology.[67] The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and Turkish
Aerospace Industries's senior ranking officials and representative signed a separate accord with the
SUPARCO to enhance the cooperation in the satellite development program. [67]

International collaboration and MoU[edit]

Invited by Soviet Union, Suparco joined the COSPAS-SARSAT program in 1990, after receiving the
approval of the Government of Pakistan.[68] Since 1990, Suparco has been controlling and hosting
many Soviet-Russian COSPAS-SARSAT satellites.[68] The Pakistan Mission Control Center in Karachi
serves as headquarter of the region to control the Cospas satellites, and over the years Suparco has
emerged as lead agency to provide the ground and satellite transmissions to Cospas-Sarsat
program.[68] Pakistan is also a member of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation
Organization (APSCO).[69] SUPARCO and the Department of Space have signed formal
Memorandum of Understanding agreements with a number of foreign political entities:

China

France

Russia

South Korea

Thailand

United Kingdom

Ukraine

Italy

Iran

Bangladesh

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Mongolia

Turkey

Philippines