SUPARCO facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

خلائی و بالائے فضائی تحقیقاتی مأموریہ
SUPARCO complex in Karachi, Sindh
Agency overview
Abbreviation	SUPARCO
Formed	Committee: 1961 - Karachi Commission: 1981 - Karachi
Type	Space agency
Jurisdiction	Government of Pakistan
Status	Active
Headquarters	Islamabad-45900, Pakistan
Chairman	Muhammad Yusuf Khan
Key people	Dr. Abdus Salam Dr. Abdul Majid Dr. Salim Mehmud
Primary spaceport	Sonmiani FTR
Owner	National Command Authority
Employees	Classified
Annual budget	₨7.3951 billion (US$46.16 million) (2022–23)

The Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, or SUPARCO, is Pakistan's national space agency. It's like Pakistan's version of NASA!

SUPARCO started in 1961 as a small group in Karachi. By 1981, it became an independent agency. Its first goal was to learn about rockets and the upper parts of Earth's atmosphere from the United States. This helped Pakistan create its own satellite program. In 1990, Pakistan successfully launched its first satellite from China. SUPARCO also helped with Pakistan's early rocket development.

Today, SUPARCO leads Pakistan's National Space Program (NSP). It manages how Pakistan's satellites work in orbit. It also helps run the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB). This board makes sure all space activities in Pakistan follow the rules.

History of SUPARCO

How SUPARCO Started

In the 1950s, Pakistan's government didn't focus much on space or engineering. But things changed after the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957.

In 1961, during the time of the Apollo program in the US, a scientist named Abdus Salam saw a chance for Pakistan. The US space agency, NASA, needed scientific data from the upper atmosphere. They invited countries like India and Pakistan to join their studies. Pakistani engineers went to the US to learn about rockets.

Abdus Salam worked to get approval for a space commission in Pakistan. In 1961, the "Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission" was officially formed. It was the first space program in the Muslim world. Its goal was to learn about rocket engineering. France and the United States helped Pakistan start this mission. This made Pakistan the first country in South Asia to have a space program.

A special place called the Sonmiani Flight Test Range was built near Karachi. From there, SUPARCO launched its first rocket, Rehbar-I, on July 7, 1962. It went 80 miles (129 km) into space! The US supported this program. Until 1972, the US helped train Pakistani engineers at the Goddard Space Flight Center.

SUPARCO also set up ground stations in Karachi and Lahore in 1973. These stations helped with satellite navigation. Astronauts from the Apollo 17 mission even visited them.

Growing the Space Program

After 1972, the US stopped funding upper atmosphere research in Pakistan. Also, Pakistan focused more on its nuclear program. This meant less money for SUPARCO. Many engineers moved to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

In 1975, India launched its first satellite. This made SUPARCO push for Pakistan to have its own satellite program. In 1981, SUPARCO became an independent government agency. They started a project called PakSAT for communication satellites.

SUPARCO worked with the University of Surrey in England. This helped them build parts for satellites like UoSAT-1 and UO-11, which launched in 1984.

Pakistan's first satellite, Badr-1, was built by SUPARCO starting in 1983. It was launched by China in 1990. SUPARCO also worked with the British Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to develop the Badr-B satellite. It was launched by Russia in 2001.

Later, a decision to delay the PakSAT project in 1984 caused problems. Pakistan lost two important orbital slots for satellites. To get a good slot, SUPARCO bought an existing satellite, PakSAT-1, from Hughes Satellite Systems.

What SUPARCO Does

SUPARCO has many important jobs as Pakistan's national space agency. These include:

• Making Space Rules: They create national space policies and laws. This helps Pakistan follow international space agreements.
• Managing Programs: They plan and run the National Space Program. This includes space science, technology, and how space is used.
• Building Space Tools: They design, build, launch, and operate satellites. They also manage ground control stations and launch facilities.
• Keeping Records: They keep a list of all space objects launched by Pakistan. This information is shared with the United Nations.
• Helping Businesses: They encourage companies to use space technology for business.
• Working with Others: They work with other space organizations around the world. They also represent Pakistan in space discussions.

Space Programs

SUPARCO runs several exciting space programs.

Satellite Programs

SUPARCO has launched different types of satellites.

Badr Satellites

The Badr program includes Pakistan's first satellites.

PakSAT Satellites

The PakSAT program is for Pakistan's communication satellites. These satellites help with TV, internet, and phone services.

Remote Sensing Satellites

These satellites help us see and understand Earth from space. They are used for things like checking crops, watching weather, and managing disasters.

CubeSats

CubeSats are very small satellites, often the size of a shoebox. They are used for various research and educational purposes.

Rocket Programs

SUPARCO has also worked on rocket technology.

Sounding Rockets

Since 1961, SUPARCO developed rockets that go high into the atmosphere to collect data. The Rehbar-I rocket was one of these.

Military Rockets

SUPARCO helped design rocket engines for military projects like Hatf-I and Abdali. They also studied engines for the Shaheen program.

Space Science and Astronomy

SUPARCO promotes space science and astronomy in Pakistan.

Every year, SUPARCO organizes World Space Week. This event helps people learn more about Earth science. SUPARCO works with universities to research astronomy and astrophysics. The Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics (ISPA) at Karachi University does important research with SUPARCO.

SUPARCO also launches balloons to study the atmosphere. They measure things like the ozone layer up to 35 km high. This helps scientists understand weather and how the ozone layer changes.

SUPARCO has a special program to study the Moon. They observe its phases and share this information with the public.

The SUPARCO Astrophysics program focuses on understanding the universe. It researches topics like quantum mechanics, dark matter, and galaxies. This program also aims to teach more people about physics and mathematics. It works with international space agencies and celebrates astronomy events.

Space Weather Monitoring

SUPARCO watches space weather. Space weather is caused by the Sun and can affect satellites and communication on Earth.

Pakistan relies more and more on satellites. So, SUPARCO created the Pakistan Space Weather Center. This center uses special tools to watch space weather in real time. It shares important information with users in Pakistan.

SUPARCO also studies Earth's magnetic field. They have observatories in Sonmiani and Karachi. This helps them understand how the magnetic field changes and how to protect against space weather hazards. They publish reports on how solar flares and magnetic storms affect Earth.

Satellite Navigation Program

SUPARCO is key to Pakistan's satellite navigation. This is like the GPS you use on your phone, but for many different uses.

They have systems that send correction signals to users. This helps make navigation more accurate for planes, ships, and land vehicles.

SUPARCO also monitors satellite navigation signals from stations across Pakistan. They work with other organizations to improve navigation systems.

International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme

Pakistan Mission Control Center (PMCC) acts as the ground segment for the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme in the region.

Pakistan is part of a global program called International Cospas-Sarsat Programme. This program uses satellites to help with search and rescue missions. If someone is in distress, their signal can be picked up by satellites.

In 1990, Pakistan joined this program. SUPARCO's mission control center in Karachi helps send distress alerts to rescue teams in the country.

Remote Sensing Program

SUPARCO was one of the first to use Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in Pakistan. These technologies use satellite images and data to help with many things.

They provide solutions for agriculture, managing forests, disaster relief, water resources, and city planning. They also study climate change and pollution. SUPARCO has special labs and centers for this work.

Other Scientific Programs

• Scientific space research
• Geographic Information Systems
• Natural Resource Surveying
• Environmental monitoring
• Collecting data for weather studies
• Developing ground systems for navigation
• Building research and production facilities for space

Facilities

SUPARCO has its main office in Islamabad. It also has many important facilities across Pakistan.

Ground Stations

These stations help SUPARCO communicate with and control satellites.

Space Applications Centres

These centers use space technology to solve problems on Earth.

Research and Development Centres

These centers are where new satellites and space technologies are designed and built.

Space Ports

These are places where rockets and satellites can be launched.

Education and Training

SUPARCO also helps train future space scientists and engineers.

Working with Other Countries

SUPARCO believes in working with other countries in space. It is a member of many international space groups and the United Nations. This helps them share information, work on projects, and transfer technology. Pakistan has signed many agreements with other countries for space activities.

Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology

This network was started in 1987 by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). SUPARCO hosted the first meeting in Karachi. The head office of this network is at SUPARCO. It has 17 member countries and organizes conferences and training related to space science.

China

China and Pakistan have a strong partnership in space. In 2006, they agreed to do joint research and launch Earth-weather satellites. In 2007, they signed an agreement to work more closely in space science and technology. Their cooperation includes climate science, clean energy, and Earth sciences.

In May 2024, Pakistan sent its first lunar orbiter, ICUBE-Q, to the Moon with China's Chang'e 6 mission. SUPARCO will also launch a lunar rover with China's Chang'e 8 mission.

United Arab Emirates

In 2019, SUPARCO participated in the Global Space Congress in Abu Dhabi. They showed their satellite projects there.

Turkey

In 2006, Turkey showed interest in working with Pakistan on space projects. They signed agreements to develop satellite technology together.

Leaders of SUPARCO

Here are some of the people who have led SUPARCO:

See also

• List of government space agencies
• SUPARCO's spaceflight missions and tests
• SUPARCO Space Programme 2040
• Jinnah Antarctic Station