Pakistan to launch multi-mission communication satellite

Pakistan is set to launch the multi-mission communication satellite PakSAT-MM1R on May 30, in collaboration with China. The announcement was made by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). PakSAT-MM1R will be launched from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, a joint effort by Suparco and the Chinese Aerospace Industry.

The satellite is designed to meet Pakistan’s growing communication and connectivity needs, aiming to drive the country’s digital transformation and improve socioeconomic conditions. The launching ceremony will be telecasted live from Suparco’s offices in Islamabad and Karachi.

In other exciting news, Pakistan’s lunar satellite, iCube Qamar, has sent its first picture from orbit after completing three rounds of the moon. Launched on China’s Chang’e-6 mission from Hainan, China, on May 3, iCube Qamar entered lunar orbit on May 8. The satellite, equipped with two cameras, has been taking pictures of the moon from a distance of 200 kilometers.

This project was designed and developed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Suparco. iCube Qamar is part of China’s sixth lunar exploration mission series, Chang’e-6.

These developments mark significant milestones in Pakistan’s space exploration and satellite technology capabilities, showcasing the country’s growing collaboration with China in advancing its space program.