Abdul Majid (physicist)
Encyclopedia
For other people with the same or similar name, see Abdul Majid (disambiguation)
Dr. Abdul Majid (Urdu
):(عبد لماجد) is a Pakistani astrophysicist and scientist in the field of space technology
. He is a former chairman of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
from 1997 to 1999. He had made significant contributions to Pakistan's space program. During his tenure as SUPARCO Administrator, Pakistan launched its two Low Earth orbit
(LEO) satellites, which were masterminded and developed by him. He also initiated a Satellite Launch Vehicle
(SLV
) project at SUPARCO. He retired from SUPARCO in 2001 as a chief scientist. Since his retirement, he has been inactive from Pakistan's space program and currently resides in Karachi
where he lives a very quiet life there.
, Pakistan
from where he received his elementary and Intermediate education. He received B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physics
from University of Wales
and Ph.D in Astrophysics
also from University of Wales.
and aeronautical labs. Majid worked under the supervision of noted Pakistani-Polish military scientist and aeronautical engineer, Air Commodore
W. J. M. Turowicz, in the field of Rocket Technology and published numerous research papers. He is credited for the design and developed the Hypersonic Rocket Launch Vehicle or Hatf Missiles Series during his stay at SUPARCO.
In 1994, Majid was put in-charge of Satellite Development Program of Pakistan. He is widely credited for the development of Badr-B
Earth Observatory Satellite. He was keen to develop Pakistan's Space Launch capabilities and met with both former Prime Minister of Pakistan
, Nawaz Sharif
and Benazir Bhutto
to gain their approval for the project. The project however was not sanctioned due toeconomic constrains.
During his tenure as Chairman of Suparco, his organization saw a major budget cut in Pakitani Space Program. In 1998, Abdul Majid traveled to Russia
, where he was able to sign a deal with Russian Federal Space Agency
to launch the Pakistani Satellite with a given deadline. According to him, Russians are agree to launch Pakistan's domestically build satellite from there soil. He retired from SUPARCO in 2001.
After a initial success in satellites development, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
met with Dr. Abdul Majid where they discussed Dr. Khan's indegeniously designed Low Earth orbit
satellite project. In 1999, Dr. Abdul Majid, as then-Chairman of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
(SUPARCO) announed that Pakistan would develop its own satellite launching vehicle within a period of about three years, although no details of this previously undisclosed program were revealed. He also met then-Chief executive of Pakistan, Gen. (r). Pervez Musharaf in the army house. He, along with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
, briefed General
Musharaf about the project where Dr. Majid received his green signal. However, the SLV Project's status remains unclear.
Abdul Majid
Abdul Majid is a Muslim male given name and, in modern usage, surname. It is built from the Arabic words Abd, al- and Majid. The name means "servant of the All-glorious", Al-Majīd being one of the names of God in the Qur'an, which give rise to the Muslim theophoric names.The letter a of the al- is...
Dr. Abdul Majid (Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
):(عبد لماجد) is a Pakistani astrophysicist and scientist in the field of space technology
Space technology
Space technology is technology that is related to entering, and retrieving objects or life forms from space."Every day" technologies such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, GPS systems, satellite television, and some long distance communications systems critically rely on space infrastructure...
. He is a former chairman of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission , is an executive agency of the Government of Pakistan, responsible for nation's public and civil space program and aeronautics and aerospace research...
from 1997 to 1999. He had made significant contributions to Pakistan's space program. During his tenure as SUPARCO Administrator, Pakistan launched its two Low Earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
(LEO) satellites, which were masterminded and developed by him. He also initiated a Satellite Launch Vehicle
Satellite Launch Vehicle
The Indian Satellite Launch Vehicle or SLV was a project started in the early 1970s by Indian Space Research Organisation to develop the technology needed to launch satellites. The project was headed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. SLV was intended to reach a height of 400 km and carry a payload of...
(SLV
SLV
SLV may refer to:*El Salvador*IATA code for Shimla Airport, India*Slovenian language*Satellite Launch Vehicle, an Indian space launcher*State Library of Victoria*iShares Silver Trust, an Exchange-traded fund with the New York Stock Exchange symbol SLV...
) project at SUPARCO. He retired from SUPARCO in 2001 as a chief scientist. Since his retirement, he has been inactive from Pakistan's space program and currently resides in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
where he lives a very quiet life there.
Education
Abdul Majid was Born in KarachiKarachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
from where he received his elementary and Intermediate education. He received B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from University of Wales
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
and Ph.D in Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
also from University of Wales.
SUPARCO career
After his Ph.D, he came back to Pakistan and joined Pakistan's Space Program as a researcher in astrophysicsAstrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and aeronautical labs. Majid worked under the supervision of noted Pakistani-Polish military scientist and aeronautical engineer, Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
W. J. M. Turowicz, in the field of Rocket Technology and published numerous research papers. He is credited for the design and developed the Hypersonic Rocket Launch Vehicle or Hatf Missiles Series during his stay at SUPARCO.
In 1994, Majid was put in-charge of Satellite Development Program of Pakistan. He is widely credited for the development of Badr-B
Badr-B
Badr-B The Badr-B payload was equipped with several CCD cameras, compact dosimeter, a telemetry system, charge detector and a temperature control unit...
Earth Observatory Satellite. He was keen to develop Pakistan's Space Launch capabilities and met with both former Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
, Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
and Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
to gain their approval for the project. The project however was not sanctioned due toeconomic constrains.
During his tenure as Chairman of Suparco, his organization saw a major budget cut in Pakitani Space Program. In 1998, Abdul Majid traveled to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, where he was able to sign a deal with Russian Federal Space Agency
Russian Federal Space Agency
The Russian Federal Space Agency , commonly called Roscosmos and abbreviated as FKA and RKA , is the government agency responsible for the Russian space science program and general aerospace research. It was previously the Russian Aviation and Space Agency .Headquarters of Roscosmos are located...
to launch the Pakistani Satellite with a given deadline. According to him, Russians are agree to launch Pakistan's domestically build satellite from there soil. He retired from SUPARCO in 2001.
After a initial success in satellites development, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan , also known in Pakistan as Mohsin-e-Pakistan , D.Eng, Sc.D, HI, NI , FPAS; more widely known as Dr. A. Q...
met with Dr. Abdul Majid where they discussed Dr. Khan's indegeniously designed Low Earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
satellite project. In 1999, Dr. Abdul Majid, as then-Chairman of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission , is an executive agency of the Government of Pakistan, responsible for nation's public and civil space program and aeronautics and aerospace research...
(SUPARCO) announed that Pakistan would develop its own satellite launching vehicle within a period of about three years, although no details of this previously undisclosed program were revealed. He also met then-Chief executive of Pakistan, Gen. (r). Pervez Musharaf in the army house. He, along with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan , also known in Pakistan as Mohsin-e-Pakistan , D.Eng, Sc.D, HI, NI , FPAS; more widely known as Dr. A. Q...
, briefed General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Musharaf about the project where Dr. Majid received his green signal. However, the SLV Project's status remains unclear.