Pakistan's First Satellite PAKSAT-1R Launched

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PAKSAT-1R, commercially known as PAKSAT-1Replacement, manufactured exclusively for communication needs of Pakistan.

PakSat 1R is an advanced communications Geostationary satellite which was launched on 11 August 2011 for the replacement of PAKSAT-1.

This newly launched satellite will support all conventional and modern Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) applications and it will have a total of up to 30 transponders: 18 in Ku-band and 12 in C-band.

To ensure high degree of reliability / availability of the system, two (02) fully redundant Satellite Ground Control Stations (SGCS) would be established in Karachi and Lahore, one to act as the Main and the other as Backup respectively.

Long March-3B satellite carrier successfully launched PAKSAT 1R communications spacecraft for Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Lift-off occured at 16:15 GMT from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China.

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, reports state news agency.

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.

China and Pakistan have more than 20 years of cooperation in Space Science, Technology and Applications.

PAKSAT 1R weighed 5115kg at launch and is based on DFH-4 [DongFangHong-4].

PAKSAT 1R will be brought into geosynchronous orbit in next days. After completion of in-orbit tests at 33.5 East it will be stationed on its final orbital position at 38 East.

PAKSAT 1R is planned to be in service for 15 years according to info given by China Great Wall Industry Corporation.

PAKSAT 1R Pictures: