Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Pakistan
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission ( SUPARCO) is an executive 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 in space technology and promote the technology for socio-economic uplift of the country.
Established in its modern form on 16 September 1961 by an executive order of President of Pakistan, it is headquarter in Karachi, Sindh Province of Pakistan. Part of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) of Pakistan Armed Forces, which is currently headquarters at the Chakalala Military District under the control of the PAF;the space programme recorded number of pioneering accomplishments in space flight during the initial years of its establishment.
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. The country's first satellite, Badr-I, was built by the Suparco and launched by the China in 1990. However during the mean time, the space programme suffered many setbacks, difficulties, and problems that partly slowed the progress of the space programme. The bureaucratic influence and politicization further lagged the space programme and many projects were cancelled by the superior authorities.
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.SUPARCO's science and research is mainly focused and concentrated on better understanding of the Solar system,Space weather, astrophysics (Big Bang Theory and Physical cosmology),astronomical observation, climatic studies,space and telemedicine, remote sensingand the Earth observation.
Aim and Mission statement
The prime goal and mainstream functional objective of Suparco is to undertake research and develop space technology and associated technologies to be serve on the various task relating to national interest of the country. 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.
History
Creation
The independent research in space sciences and aeronautical development was insued 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 However, due to the political instability, the serious initiatives to established the programme was 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 oversaw the development on the space programme; this led the establishment of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (denoted as SUPARCO) on 16 September 16, 1961, with Abdus Salam being its first administrated 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). In few week, 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 program of rocket test firings was entrusted to the Chairman of PAEC.
1960s: Space flight programmes
One of the most earliest and notable achievement of Suparco activities was its unmanned space flight programme that was recorded on 7 June 1961. Suparco took research in the development of first solid-fuel expandable rockets, an assistance provided by the United States. On 7 June 1962, Suparco landed a record achievement when it had launched first unmanned solid-fuel sounding rocket and took its first initial space flight from the Sonmiani Terminal Launch.The rocket was developed in a joint venture with air force in a team led by PAF's Air Commodore (Brigadier-General) WJM Turowicz.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.The unmanned spaceflight mission continued under Turowicz, and according to Suparco, from the period 1962 till the partial termination of mission in 1972, ~200 sounding rockets took high success space flights from Sonmiani terminal launch. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) publicly hailed the space flight programme as thebeginning of "a programme of continuing cooperation in space research of mutual interest.
This cooperative agreement called for the training of Pakistan's scientists, engineers, and technicians at the specialized facilities in the United States. Before the June 1962 space flight programme, NASA had began to train Pakistan's scientists at Wallops Island and the Goddard Space Flight Centres. NASA also set up fellowships and research associate programmes at various American universities for "advanced training and experience."
On 25 July 1964, Salam arranged an another meeting with President Ayub Khan where Suparco was placed under the direct control of the President of Pakistan; it was followed by constituting the Suparco as an executive but separate authority under the administrative control of Salam on 8 March 1966. By the presidential decree, Salam was brought as its first and founding chairman and given the powers previously held by the PAEC Chairman.
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. In 1967, Abdus Salam was succeeded by Air Commdore Władysław Turowicz, as he was made administrator of SUPARCO.Air Commdore Turowicz led the foundation of research activities and rocketry development in Suparco to the field of aeronautics sciences. The Doppler Radar Station (Islamabad Mission Control Center) was also established in a in the country as part of a global network.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. It was also during the early 1970s that the Islamabad Ionospheric Station within Quaid-e-Azam University was set up and the NASA Landsat ground station was established near Rawat.
1970s-1980s: Bureaucratization and reorganization
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. The space flight programme was abruptly ended due to lack of funds and lessening government response.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. Many scientists involved in the programmme were forcefully given transferred to PAEC and KRL to aid the success of the atomic bomb project.
In 1979-80s, Suparco launched the project to development and launch 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.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.
After participating in various projects with University of Surrey, the team of engineers returned to Pakistan in 1986. Munir Ahmad Khan then returned to General Zia-ul-Haq and obtained his approval to began practical work on Badr-I. 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. In short span of time, the Project Badr was completed, and the first satellite was named Badr-1. 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).
1990s: Orbital slot crises and setbacks
In 1990s era, the space programme experienced a number of orbital slot crises and failures, just like the one experience in the Soviet space program. In 1991, Suparco launched another satellite project, Badr-B, with the technical assistance provided by the United Kingdom. The spacecraft's sub-systems were developed and manufactured by Pakistan-based DESTO, SIL, and British Rutherford Laboratory, while the spacecraft integration was performed by SUPARCO.The programme was completed in 1994, and it was expected to launch the same year. However, the space programme began to suffer much more serious trouble and lacked the technical assistance to launch the satellite on its own. The target to complete the satellite could not be achieved on time, and in 1994, plans to launch the spacecraft did not materialise, and the launch was halted and delayed long to 2001.
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. In 1980s, Suparco largely took participation in building the first space booster, Hatf-I, but lost its credibility to KRL who had derived the space vehicle into an operational missile. As early as in 1995, Suparco lost its major contract to NDC bureau to developed the country's first space booster, Shaheen-I. Although, Suparco helped build the solid-fuel engine of the rocket and its space launch pad was also used for the spaceflights. Suparco failed to impress the government of its capabilities, and the control of the Shaheen expandable programme was handed over to NDC bureau as its executive authority.
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. 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.the satellite was operated successfully.
In 1993, the Paksat programme was again restarted but terminated in 1994 after Suparco lost the two orbital slots 38°E longitude and 41°E longitude, which was acquired for it in the Geo-synchronous orbit expired. In 2002, Suparco again applied for a new application for the allocation of five GSo slots (38°E, 41°E, 30°E, 88°E and 101°E) was filed. Although granted, Suparco faced the risk of losing its priority 38°E slot, if it didn’t launch its own satellite by April 2003.Under 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 originally designed for Indonesia, but after a battery problem occurred making it useless during certain hours of the day, the firm was forced to sold the satellite to Pakistan as Paksat-1.
2000s: Recent developments and Revitalisation
In 2000, Suparco was brought under the National Command Authority in order focus on "real development" to begin, as its chairman maintained. Under the privileges and opportunities awarded by the economic liberalisation policies of Prime minister Shaukat Aziz, Suparco pushed itself to gain the support from the local government and the private-sector.
In 2003, Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz began to forcefully push Suparco to pursue and deliver an active space programme. Funding and government support was increased personally by Pervez Musharraf as he goaded the space programme as "next logical frontier". In 2004, Suparco launched an ambition project to developed country's first Geo-stationary satellite; the new project was known as Paksat-1Replacement. In 2007, Shaukat Aziz paid a state visit to Beijing where he successfully persuaded the China to joined the project, and to provided its financial assistance to succeed the project on time.
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 lost time and neglect in the past and future".
In 2011, Suparco launched country's first satellite on schedule from China and was deployed successfully at 38°E in the Geo-stationary orbit.The new satellite took over the existing satellites of the country in orbit.
Test facilities and Space centers
The headquarters of the Suparco are located in Karachi, Sindh Province near at the Karachi University; while its administrative infrastructure is well developed and expanded all over the country. As early as in 1980s, Suparco joined the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme of Soviet Union and finally inaugurated the facility at the Suparco Headquarters. Known as "Pakistan Mission Control Center", the first commissioning test was carried out from 10 November 2009 at 0500Hrs.
The SUPARCO Plant located at Hub (a township of coastal Balochistan near Karachi), the Paksat-1R ground Control Station (near PCSIR Laboratories) and FTR (Flight Testing Range) located in Sonmiani, also in Balochistan, near Karachi.
Notable projects and achievements
Rehbar spaceflight programme
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. 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
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 took 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, the 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.
Satellite-control programmes
Since 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. In 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.
Communication and Geosynchronous satellites
Badr-1A
In 1986, Suparco took initiatives to locally built country's first digital communication satellite, with the financial support of ministries of telecommunication and science. Initially, the government wanted Suparco to held 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
The PakSat program was originally conceived in 1980s but it 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".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 38°East. After a series of orbital maneuvers, the satellite was stabilized at the final location on 20 December 2002 with 0°inclination. The satellite is in position at the Pakistan-licensed orbital location, 38°east longitude. In 2012. The PakSat-IE was decommissioned later after the second satellite was launched in 2011.
PakSat-1Replacement
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 raplced PakSat-1E. 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 were established in Karachi and Lahore, one to act as the Main control facility and the other as Backup respectively.
Weather and earth observation
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 and delayed the launch the satellite until it was agreed to launch on 10 December 2001 at 17:19 hours UT, Pakistan, from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan aboard a Russian Zenit-2 rocket, Russia.
Remote Sensing Satellites
In 2006-07, SUPARCO launch 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.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. Initially, SUPARCO plans to launch an optical satellite with payload of 2.5-meter PAN in 700 km sun-synchronous orbit, which will be followed by a series of optical and SAR satellites in the future. The satellite is underdevelopment process and it is being developed by SUPARCO and it is expected to be launched in 2014.
Planetary Sciences and Scientific missions
Each and every year, Suparco holds and sponsors the World Space Week (WSW) to promote the understanding of the Earth science in all over the country.Suparco works with number of universities and research institutions to engage in research in observational astronomy and astrophysics. 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.
Functions
In 2005,Musharraf has expressed his desired 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 satellites and 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 propellent engineering, information technology, communications, agriculture sector, mineral excavation and atmospheric sciences.
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
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
Global particiaption
People's Republic of China
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. In May 2007, China (as a strategic partner) publicly signed an 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 desginated Pakistan astronaut to space aboard a Chinese spacecraft.
Turkey
In December 2006, Turkey showed interest to form a joint-venture with Pakistan in its space programme, particularly in the development of satellites. 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.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.
International collaboration and MoU
Invited by Soviet Union, Suparco joined the COSPAS-SARSAT program in 1990, after receiving the approval of the Government of Pakistan.Since 1990, Suparco has been controlling and hosting many Soviet-Russian COSPAS-SARSAT satellites. 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. Pakistan is also a member of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO).SUPARCO and the Department of Space have signed formal Memorandum of Understanding agreements with a number of foreign political entities:
China
Russia
Thailand
Ukraine
Iran
Brazil
Argentina
Turkey
France
South Korea
United Kingdom
Italy
Bangladesh
Peru
Mongolia
Philippines
Space programme 2040
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.
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 21:17hrs 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 build 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).
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 LEO 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.
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 SSO.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
SUPARCO Satellite Ground Station
The SUPARCO Satellite Ground Station is an earth observation and remote sensing satellite control center. The SUPARCO's SGS center is a major space research centre of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), focusing on the earth observational and remote sensing technology.
The space center is currently controlled by the SUPARCO. It is located at Rawat near Islamabad, has an acquisition zone of approximately 2500 km radius and covers Pakistan and 25 other countries, wholly or partially, in the South Asian, Central Asian and Western Asia and Middle East regions. The SUPARCO's SGS center acquires and archives satellite data from different earth resources satellites. The data products and related services are offered to different user agencies within and outside Pakistan.
An artistic diagram of Paksat-1E satellite
The Badr-I is displayed before its prior launch in 1990
The preparations are being made to launched the Pakistan-based Rehbar-I in launch position in the 1961
Along with Meteor-3M, Badr-B is ready for launch
Paksat-1R launching,11 August,2011
