SUPARCO, or Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, is the national space agency of Pakistan responsible for aerospace research, aeronautics and space programs. It came into being in 1961 as a research wing of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and later in 1981, it gained the status of a commission.
Pakistan has had its fair share of achievements in the space industry previously; however, it is not considered as successful as the space industries of various other countries. Despite its early establishment, Pakistan failed to evolve considerably, lagging far behind its regional hegemonic rival, India.
The primary reason behind the meager growth and development of Pakistan’s space industry was the lack of interest and effective strategies implemented by ancestor governments.
However, the current government has indicated some signs of development in this arena by announcing eminent projects, such as the Space Programme 2040, that are considered to bring about economic prosperity.
SUPARCO, Pakistan’s national space agency, was founded in 1961 by a Nobel Laureate and then-adviser to the President of Pakistan, Dr. Abdus Salam. The principal objective for establishing this national body was to carry out research and development in space sciences and technology that can contribute to the country’s economic growth through the applications of the studies. Some of the significant functions of SUPARCO are as follows:
China has been of great help for Pakistan in enabling it to bolster its space industry. Pakistan built and launched its first satellite Badr-I back in 1990. In 2002, the second experimental Badr-B was launched, and Pakistan had great support from China throughout the process.
China also facilitated Pakistan in launching another satellite in 2011, which was purely funded, designed, and built by China. Pakistan is lucky to have China as a trustworthy friend in a region where enemies abound.
In 1996, Pakistan launched its first geostationary satellite Paksat-1, which was later replaced by Paksat-1R in 2011. With a designated life span of 15 years, the geostationary satellite provides broadband internet, digital television, remote and rural telephony, emergency communications, tele-education, and telemedicine services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa, and the Far East.
SUPARCO also established a satellite communication-based telemedicine network as a pilot project in collaboration with JPMC.
In 1962, immediately after the establishment of SUPARCO, the top four scientists were sent to NASA for training. The few years following this saw considerable advancements in Pakistan’s space industry. However, it began to witness a downfall between the 1980s and 1990s, when then-President Zia-ul-Haq relinquished the funding of major projects like that of the communication satellite program.
SUPARCO was established eight years ahead of the Indian Space Research Organization. However, ISRO has managed to outgrow SUPARCO with its numerous successful space projects over the years.
India launched its first satellite Aryabhata in 1975, whereas Pakistan built its first satellite Badr-I and launched it in 1990.
India is now independently developing satellites and launching them on its own while Pakistan is still limited to Geographical Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and communication satellites.
India’s emergence as a dominant space power can be gauged from its famous Mars Orbiter Mission that was targeted to explore and observe the surface of Mars. Furthermore, the use of Indian rockets by some globally renowned companies such as Google for launching their satellites further adds to its strong points.
Due to a lack of resources, mismanagement, and incompetent bureaucracy, Pakistan is lagging far behind its Indian counterpart. Therefore, it needs to devise a space program that benefits it economically to put this modern technological warfare between the two rivals to rest.
In the past years, previous governments failed to pay heed to the space industry’s development without considering the tremendous economic boost it could have given to the country.
However, the current government has seemed to be keen about developing the country’s space sector by announcing a few substantial projects that will be executed in the coming years, such as the Space Programme 2040.
The Space Programme 2040 aims to uplift the country technologically by replacing the old Badr satellite program and geostationary program with relatively advanced and beneficial systems.
Not much has been revealed about the program yet, but it is said to bring about massive economic prospects. According to a recent federal government meeting, Pakistan will raise nearly $600 to 700 million for the National Space Programme till 2030.
The government recently announced another project that, in 2022, the first astronaut will be sent in space from Pakistan, which will also prove to be potent for economic gains. A selection committee will be formulated for choosing a potential candidate who will be sent to space in 2022.
Furthermore, Pakistan has some ongoing projects with China that include an agreement on space exploration.
On the other hand, China has also proposed building a “Space Silk Road” to virtually enhance and monitor the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Moreover, China’s involvement in the development of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite is considered another significant project between the two neighbors.
The Space Programme 2040 is a prominent project of SUPARCO under which new satellites will be built and launched into space, eventually replacing the Badr satellite program and the Paksat geostationary communication satellite.
According to SUPARCO, five (GEO) Stationary Earth Orbit and six (LEO) Low Earth Orbit satellites will be launched between 2011 and 2040.
The country is expected to make significant developments in satellites and space medicine through the implementation of this program. The project is designed to benefit Pakistan’s people by upgrading military and space technologies to a great extent.
The study and exploration of space is not limited to satellites only, but it does provide answers to several questions that may arise in a human mind. Moreover, the applications of the researches conducted in space help to shape lifestyles and bring about technological advancements for stabilizing the economy.
In a country like Pakistan where the economy is going through an extremely rough patch with debts increasing constantly, it is imperative to explore space sciences to gain socio-economic benefits out of it.
Pakistan is a large and populous country exhibiting a great variety of cultures and ethnicity. Like many other developing countries, it is also subjected to a plethora of socio-economic problems such as poverty, hunger, over-population, illiteracy, healthcare, energy and water shortage along with poor telecommunication in remote areas.
Space exploration can resolve all these problems, provided pertinent studies are conducted that could help attain sustainable socio-economic development and improve the quality of life of the people of Pakistan. Space-based communication systems are contrived for providing services like tele-education, telemedicine, mobile telephony, and television to remote areas. Likewise, communication satellites provide an important communication medium to armed forces.
Hence it is high time to realize the significance of the space industry in flourishing Pakistan’s economy and making it a country known for its achievements in the scientific and technological spheres as technology is highly prevalent in this era.
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