Pakistan launches China’s multi-mission communications satellite

Islamabad/Beijing:

Pakistan on Thursday launched a multi-mission communications satellite for faster internet connectivity with the help of its all-weather ally China, making it Islamabad’s second satellite to be placed in orbit within a month.

The multi-mission communications satellite, also known as PAKSAT MM1, was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan province, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

The satellite entered its planned orbit, it said.

A statement released by state broadcaster Pakistan Television said the satellite would “provide the best internet facilities across Pakistan” and help improve television transmissions, mobile phones and broadband services. He added that the satellite will begin providing service in August, Dawn newspaper reported.

Congratulating the country on the launch, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he hoped the satellite would help provide the fastest Internet installation across the country, state-run Associated Press Pakistan reported.

“I am particularly excited about PAKSAT MM1’s potential impact on Internet connectivity across Pakistan. With its state-of-the-art communications technology, this satellite promises to revolutionize our digital landscape and provide the fastest Internet installation across the country “, the report quoted Mr. Sharif as saying.

Sharif said PAKSAT MM1 would not only improve the lives of Pakistani citizens but also contribute to the promotion of economic activities, e-commerce and e-governance.

He said the launch of China’s satellite launch center was a “proof of the strong collaboration and partnership between the two countries,” according to the report.

“It is through these cooperative efforts that we can move our nation forward and harness the power of technology for the benefit of our people,” he said.

The prime minister said the satellite’s positioning in a geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above Earth was an “impressive feat” that showcased the nation’s scientific and technological prowess.”

In a statement last week, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (Suparco) said the launch of the satellite was part of the 2047 National Space Program.

“PAKSAT MM1 was conceived as a joint venture between Suparco and the Chinese aerospace industry, keeping in mind the country’s growing needs in broad spectrum communication and connectivity,” The News International newspaper reported, citing Suparco’s statement.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who attended the launch, said that Pakistan will soon launch satellites from its own launch pads.

“The day is not far when we will launch our satellites on our own rockets from the Pakistan Space Launch Center. Congratulations Pakistan,” he said.

On May 3, Pakistan’s mini-satellite ‘iCube-Qamar’ was launched as part of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission from Hainan province.

Pakistan has sent at least six assets into space such as BADR-A, BADR-B, PAKSAT 1-R, PRSS-1, PakTes 1-A and iCube Qamar, the report added.

Following launch on May 3, iCube-Qamar sent back the first images of the moon captured in lunar orbit following its ascent into space on May 8.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)