KARACHI: Billed as Pakistan’s ‘first’ advanced communications satellite PAKSAT-1R, as a part of Pakistan’s Space Programme 2040, was launched on Thursday at 9:17 pm on board China’s Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan province.The geostationary satellite would orbit at 23,000 miles above the surface of the earth and is expected to enhance the broadcast and broadband capabilities of the country. However, some scientists say that what Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has achieved today could have been done 30 years ago. They question whether our so-called space programme is on the right track.
Expected clients
PAKSAT-1R has a design life of 15 years and will provide TV broadcasting, Internet and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Far East. The satellite will now enable the extending of communication services to all areas of Pakistan.
Apart from Pakistan Army, there are more than 45 clients of PAKSAT-1R, including leading telecom companies such as Mobilink, and broadcasters such as Geo and ARY.
Technical details
The PAKSAT-1R weighs 5,115kg and is based on the DongFangHong-4 platform with 18 Ku-band and 12 C-band transponders onboard. The China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) had been nominated as PAKSAT-1R’s chief contractor after President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese President Hu Jintao signed an agreement in October 2008. The company was made responsible for the design, manufacturing, final assembly, testing and launch of the satellite.
Cost
Suparco has kept mum about the cost of the multi-million dollar project. Sources within PAKSAT say that at the moment the entire cost has been borne by China which has to be paid back.
According to a press release, Defence Secretary Lt Gen Syed Athar Ali (R), Secretary Foreign Affairs Salman Bashir, Director General, Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R) and Ambassador of Pakistan to China Muhammad Masood Khan were present on the occasion. Suparco chairman Major General Ahmed Bilal was also reportedly present.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2011.