Space programme 2040
Encyclopedia
The Space Programme 2040 is a satellite development and launch programme of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
(Suparco) — Pakistan's supreme space research authority. The Space Programme 2040 intends to replace the Badr satellite programme
and geo-stationary communication satellite. On August 11th, Paksat-IR was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center
by Suparco, making it first satellite to be launched under this programme. According to Suparco, five GEO satellites and six LEO
satellites will be launched in between 2011 till 2040.
The stated goals of the program are to expected gain significant experience in satellite development, practicing of Space medicine
, and to promote socio-economic
sector in the country. While, the programme intend to learn to developed the military and space technologies and to conduct experiments on fundamental sciences in space frontier, the Government
maintained that Space Programme-2040's prime purpose to bring the benefits of the full spectrum of space technology to the people of Pakistan. On July 15th, 2011, Prime minister
Yousaf Gillani
gave official approval of the programme with the 2011 Pakistan fiscal year budget
.
August 11th as part of this programme from People's Republic of China. Its' satellite vehicle was the Long March 3E
carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China's Sichuan province. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
and the Suparco was the main contractor to built Paksat-IR, and DESTO was selected to build the primary heat shield and electronic materials for the spacecraft. The Paksat-IR objectives are to support all conventional and modern Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) applications, with a total of 30 Communication Transponders (12 in C band
and 18 in Ku band
).
project, and it was completed in 1996. Badr-II
was Suparco's first LEO satellite and was launched in 2001 by Baikonur Cosmodrome
by the Russian Space Agency. Since then, Suparco took initiatives to replace her first Suparco satellite, therefore, Remote Sensing Satellite programme
in January 2007.
. It is the first satellite that is locally manufactured by the Suparco and to meet the national and international user requirements in the field of satellite imagery.
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) — Pakistan's supreme space research authority. The Space Programme 2040 intends to replace the Badr satellite programme
Badr (satellite)
Badr satellite program is the series of the robotic of spacecraft missions of Pakistan. It is the name of Pakistani robotic telecommunication and low Earth observatory satellites family. The first of satellites, Badr-1, was launched on July 1990....
and geo-stationary communication satellite. On August 11th, Paksat-IR was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Xichang Satellite Launch Center
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center also known as Base 27 , is a People’s Republic of China space vehicle launch facility approximately 64 km northwest of Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province....
by Suparco, making it first satellite to be launched under this programme. According to Suparco, five GEO satellites and six LEO
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...
satellites will be launched in between 2011 till 2040.
The stated goals of the program are to expected gain significant experience in satellite development, practicing of Space medicine
Space medicine
Space medicine is the practice of medicine on astronauts in outer space whereas astronautical hygiene is the application of science and technology to the prevention or control of exposure to the hazards that may cause astronaut ill health. Both these sciences work together to ensure that...
, and to promote socio-economic
Economy of Pakistan
The economy of Pakistan is the 47th largest in the world in nominal terms and 27th largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity . Pakistan has a semi-industrialized economy, which mainly encompasses textiles, chemicals, food processing, agriculture and other industries...
sector in the country. While, the programme intend to learn to developed the military and space technologies and to conduct experiments on fundamental sciences in space frontier, the Government
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
maintained that Space Programme-2040's prime purpose to bring the benefits of the full spectrum of space technology to the people of Pakistan. On July 15th, 2011, Prime minister
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...
Yousaf Gillani
Yousaf Raza Gillani
Yousuf Raza Gilani is the current prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was nominated as Prime Minister by the PPP, with the support of its coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League , Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on 22 March 2008...
gave official approval of the programme with the 2011 Pakistan fiscal year budget
2011 Pakistan federal budget
The Pakistan federal budget of 2010-2011 has been prepared in accordance with thebudgeting and accounting classification system that has been approved bythe Government of Pakistan as an integral part of the New AccountingModel....
.
Spacecraft
The Space Programme 2040 included the development of five GEO satellites and six LEO satellites to replace Suparco's existing satellites in the orbit. There no plans for developing the of the Reusable Space Vehicle or space rocket booster, and the programme is entirely intend and focus to launch more communication and remote sensing satellites. In August 11th, the Suparco launched the Paksat-IR, as first satellite as part of this programme.Geo-satellites
According to Suparco, the Space Programme intends to launch five GEO satellites from 2011 till 2040. Here the details are given:Paksat-IE
The Paksat-IE was country's first GEO satellite that was operated by the Suparco. Previously owned by Boeing and operated under lease by Paksat. It was launched on 31 January 1996 and leased to Suparco in 2003. Since then, Suparco initiated to developed its own GEO satellite programme, financed by People's Republic of China. The satellite will be replaced by its advanced and upgrade satellite, the Paksat-IR.Paksat-IR
The Paksat-IR is a first GEO satellite that was launched at 21:17hrsHours
Hours may refer to:* The plural of the unit of time, hour* an expression of time using the 24-hour clock system * Horae , Greek deities* Hours, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, a commune in France...
August 11th as part of this programme from People's Republic of China. Its' satellite vehicle was the Long March 3E
Long March 3B
The Long March 3B , also known as the Chang Zheng 3B, CZ-3B and LM-3B, is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Introduced in 1996, it is launched from Launch Area 2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre...
carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China's Sichuan province. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground...
and the Suparco was the main contractor to built Paksat-IR, and DESTO was selected to build the primary heat shield and electronic materials for the spacecraft. The Paksat-IR objectives are to support all conventional and modern Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) applications, with a total of 30 Communication Transponders (12 in C band
C band
The C band is a name given to certain portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, including wavelengths of microwaves that are used for long-distance radio telecommunications. The IEEE C-band - and its slight variations - contains frequency ranges that are used for many satellite communications...
and 18 in Ku band
Ku band
The Kμ band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies. This symbol refers to —in other words, the band directly below the K-band...
).
- The GEO satellites that are under developed or purposed are listed below:
- Paksat-MM1
- Paksat-MM2
- Paksat-II
Low Earth orbit
In 1992, Suparco launched her first LEOLow 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...
project, and it was completed in 1996. Badr-II
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...
was Suparco's first LEO satellite and was launched in 2001 by Baikonur Cosmodrome
Baikonur Cosmodrome
The Baikonur Cosmodrome , also called Tyuratam, is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. It is located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan, about east of the Aral Sea, north of the Syr Darya river, near Tyuratam railway station, at 90 meters above sea level...
by the Russian Space Agency. Since then, Suparco took initiatives to replace her first Suparco satellite, therefore, Remote Sensing Satellite programme
Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite
The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite , commercially known as Remote Sensing Satellite System is an dual purpose Earth observational and optical satellite which is schedule to launch by the end year of 2011 for the replacement of Badr-II satellite. The satellite is being manufacture indigenously...
in January 2007.
Optical satellite
Suparco plans to launched her first Optical satellite in the end year of 2011 from People's Republic of China. The satellite is reported to have payload of 2.5 meter PAN in 700km in SSOSun-synchronous orbit
A Sun-synchronous orbit is a geocentric orbit which combines altitude and inclination in such a way that an object on that orbit ascends or descends over any given point of the Earth's surface at the same local mean solar time. The surface illumination angle will be nearly the same every time...
. It is the first satellite that is locally manufactured by the Suparco and to meet the national and international user requirements in the field of satellite imagery.
Remote Sensing Programme
There are six remote sensing satellites are expected to be developed and launched under this programme. Suparco is intending to launch her first remote sensing satellite in 2014 and it is named as PRSS-O1. According to Suparco, the planned and manufactured satellites are list below:-
- PRSS-O1
- PRSS-S1
- PRSS-O2
- PRSS-S2
- PRSS-O3
- PRSS-S3