ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan’s first Communications Satellite PAKSAT-1R, as a part of Pakistan’s Space Programme-2040, was launched on Thursday at 2117 hours on board China’s Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.

Besides others, launch was witnessed by Secretary Defence Lt Gen Syed Athar Ali ®, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Salman Bashir, Director General, Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai ® and Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Muhammad Masood Khan, said a press release issued here.

PAKSAT-1R has a total of 30 transponders, 12 in C-band and 18 in Ku-band.  The satellite will be deployed at 380E in the Geo-stationary orbit and it will replace the existing satellite PAKSAT-1.

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. This satellite now enables extending of communication services to all areas of Pakistan. 

It may be recalled that the National Command Authority (NCA) recently approved Pakistan’s Space Programme-2040 during its meeting at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) on 14 July 2011.  

Earlier, the contract for the development of PAKSAT-1R was signed between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) in October 2008 during the visit of the President of Pakistan to China. 

Pakistani engineers have worked closely with their Chinese counterparts during all stages of development of the satellite in China. Some experimental units developed at SUPARCO have also been integrated on the satellite for technology evaluation. China and Pakistan have enjoyed more than 20 years of cooperation in Space Science, Technology and Applications.

The launch of Paksat-1R Satellite is a major milestone for both countries towards strengthening of this cooperation.  SUPARCO will continue its efforts for launching of other satellites including Remote Sensing Satellites, to ensure that the space technology applications fully contribute to socio-economic development and national security in Pakistan. 
 
President, PM felicitate Nation

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani have felicitated the nation on the successful launch of the PAK-SAT, which was launched Thursday night from China.

In a message the President and the Prime Minister said that the launch of PAK-SAT today is a historic occasion as it places Pakistan in the league of select nations that own and operate national communication satellites.“Indeed it is a milestone in our journey on the road to progress,” the President said.

Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the information about the successful launch of the PAK-SAT was received by the two leaders during their meeting in the Presidency Thursday night.

In their message the two leaders said that they were pleased to learn that Pakistani scientists and engineers have fully participated in the design, manufacturing, testing and launch of this satellite.

The successful deployment of PAT-SAT demonstrated the scientific and technological potential of the country as well as the commitment of our scientists and engineers, the President said.

The President also congratulated SUPARCO and all those whose combined efforts have made its successful launch possible. “They have done the nation proud”, he said.

President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani said that the successful launch of PAK-SAT from Chinese territory demonstrated once again the deep rooted and strategic ties between the two countries. These ties have grown from strength to strength and are a factor of stability in the region, they said.