The satellite is designed to take low-resolution images of the Earth. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
On-board Dnepr launch vehicle, the satellite was launched from Yasny launch base, Russia. The launch also created a record for the maximum payload launched into space.
iCUBE-1 by the Institute of Space Technology (IST), will open up future possibilities for carrying out experiments in the domain of space dynamics, nano technology and microgravity and is expected to serve as testing ground for developing satellite constellations.
A Spokesperson IST Raza Butt said, "iCUBE-1 has been launched in a polar orbit, 600 km above the surface of the Earth and is designed to take low-resolution images of the planet."
The satellite has a volume of 10cm cube and houses several sensors to collect data for research purposes. Fully autonomous, it has the capability of maintaining itself via its on-board computer.
"The launch of iCUBE-1 is a significant milestone in the space programme of Pakistan and will motivate the youth in taking a more active part in satellite development programs," Butt said.
COMMENTS (67)
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Reading the satellite is just 10cc in size, it seems smaller than my baby's toy which is 50 times larger than this satellite :)
Another low- it will take 'low resolution' fotos of earth- so what is the use?
@Sri Varahadev: agree with you. pak is nowhere in competition with india now. having said that, it 'd be better if we encourage their effor in positiove things. At least they ll realize that there is more to be proud of in science and technology than to be proud of in fundamentalism and terrorism.
I am student of aerospace engg at IST. This satellite is made by my senior mates. It was just sent through Russia bcz we donot have space station here in PAK.
@TK: No it was assembled by Pakistan - as in boards were wired together in Pakistan.
This is significant milestone for Pakistan?! Then we are very far behind.
@Asad:
Paksat -1 was not developed by SPARCO. It was bought as third hand satellite. Dont delude yourself.
BTW it just turns out that icube was bought as a assembly kit off the shelf. Its just reprogrammed and renamed by IST. checkout the link i posted before.
False alarm, They bought it off the shelf, renamed it and customized it only. You can buy one cubesat for 7500 euros as well.
http://www.cubesatshop.com/index.php?page=shop.productdetails&flypage=flypage.tpl&productid=88&categoryid=9&option=comvirtuemart&Itemid=71&vmcchk=1&Itemid=71
@Stealth: yes. Jealous of this achievement by an Islamic state or something like that.
@Muhammad Aneeq: absolutely! Best of luck to Pakistan.
This very clearly shows that Pakistan is the super power among Islamic states as far as science and technology goes. I am dead serious.
High school students from Thomas Jefferson also had a satellite launched this week..
high school students...
I am not big FAN of Pakistan but as part of my job I always keep one eye what they are upto... Pakistanis creates illusions, they shows something to all over the globe world but in reality they are working on something different... People do not have to forget Pakistan is the fifth nuclear country and they have world class missile technology these missile can hit the target across the continent.., There should not be any doubts about the talents Pakistan have... iCUBE-1 is ringing the bell to other countries... cross your fingers and wait !!!
Another North Korean toy technology !
@Spock: I agree with u bt dont tell me that SUPARCO learn some lesson. they had worked in past and also launched PAKSAT-1R with collaboration with CHINA. but soon... In 1-2 years u hear some other news about BIGGER satellite (that u cant lift with ur hands ) independently developed by SUPARCO. be calm and just digest watever u see on news. no need of getting hyper.
We should have named cubesat after our forefathers like Babur, Ghazi
Pakistan needs IQ not ICube
Reading the comments one can easily say
"Indian trolls ki to saar gai hay"
First signal received in UK, Not Pakistan. You can listen beep like short wave radio. good effort by student. Most comments are very hilarious. singh
@Dhaka: Which country of yours lol u didnt even put USA, Russia, France, UK on the list ur retarded
@Asad: bro that is not the purpose of this cubesat. Pakistan has launched Badr I, II , III etc decades ago which do better and more than that.
Its like after running a marathon you are learning how to walk. Why step backwards?
BTW this satellite will only transmit a signal to earth saying "Cubesat, first cube satellite built by Pakistan". It will not receive anything, process anything nor will be taking any pics.The article is full of flaws. Also kudos to the university students, SUPARCO should learn from them.
I can understand that it is an university project launched by Russia and has nothing to do with SUPARCO.
But the most important point this article missed is the cost of launch and who is bearing it.
@Proud Every body can understand the joy and pride that Pakistani people might feel. Good. However, read up on launching vehicles. The launch pad is important as it is, but the real problem is the launch vehicle with it ejection systems backed up by tracking and communication systems that are hard to develop. You say 'just a launch pad'. Many areas of science and mathematics have to come together.This is where even China will not help Pakistan. Nevertheless, it is a start of a very long, hard and expensive journey that has many disappointments in store along with moments of joy. Now Pakistani public might begin to appreciate the effort and money that other nations have invested.
@Malatesh: Thanks lol for your best wishes.Pakistan want India to be a successful country.It really encourage us when your satellite send pics of Whales and aquatic animals from Mars.It really motivate us to launch our own.
It has the weight and volume of 1 liter water bottle. Good thing to buy off the shelf and have someone throw it into space for you. Have fun with your floating little camera.
I think it is a 'GUP' to coincide with India's remembrance of 1963 shot on 21 November 2013. A satellite with a volume of 10 cubic centimetres (about the size of a cricket ball) is a useless piece od debris in space.
@ Pankaj.
For perspective it is moot to point out the Aryabhatta satellite massed 360 Kgs while the SROSS-C2 satellite which boosted into orbit by India’s indigenous ASLV massed 113 Kg and the more recent of the two events took place almost 20 years ago.
Sounds like a tire that's specifically designed to burst and deflate
Surely university students in Pakistan could have been more ambitious and aimed for a larger more complex satellite rather than settling for a tiny 1.1 Kg satellite. In this they could have followed the lead of students at Anna University at Chennai in India who put together a 40 Kg Micro-Satellite named Anusat which was boosted into orbit by India’s PSLV-C12 in 2009 or the lead of the less ambitious 3 Kg Jugnu satellite programme of students at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur in India which was boosted into orbit by India’s PSLV-C18 in 2011.
Well, not to be discouraged. First indian sattelite Aryuabhatta was also launched by Russia, was small in size (though it was in cubic meters) and was declared as toy by most westners.If we condemn you for your bad things like export of terror, there is no reason why we don't encourage for your good efforts like this !
Cubesats seem popular with educational establishments. Four Cubesats for various non-Indian educational establishments were launched from Sriharikota by India’s PSLV C-18 mission back in 2009. These were UWE-2, BeeSat, ITU-pSAT1 and SwissCube.
@Mahendra: bro take a life and let them do what they want. This proj was done by STUDENTS OF A PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY not by NASA.
@Spock: bro. take a life. its just for hand shaking with ground station with bits of info. thatsit. it has 3 months lifespan.
@Malatesh: Forget...! which part of Kashmir ???? the one that you have or the one that we have...lol
World's first useless flying object !
Its an international joke that pakistan designed a satellite and take credit.After India,china and japan ,we are the next country mastered in satellite design and pakistan is now no way near to us in space technology.
People PLEASE.... Stop being so adversarial, pessimistic and, cynical. Have some joy and pride in your life
Why do your comments have to be resentful??
@indian trolls How much free time do you guys have.
@Stealth: Stop patronizing incompetence. University students are full grown men not children. Its exactly this PTV type attitude that created this glorious faujj. Your little steps after 66 years can only grow into another retarded agency -- we know
@Mohd tarekh: This is a quite misleading article.. better go and read DAWN news and clarify that icube-1 is a satellite solely designed and build by the students of IST. As far as the launching is concerned don't confuse it, as 21 other cubesats of different countries have been launched from the same launching pad.. just bcoz it is launched from Russia doesn't mean that it is owned by Russia. So, before commenting such nonsense better first do some research.
Best of luck to IST students for this remarkable achievement, hope more work is coming in near future.
@saad: This is not Pakistani cynicism...this is coming from our xenophobic eastern neighbors...you should be able to understand it by now.
It's a small research product by the IST(Institute of space technology) developed by the students. A small step can turn into a giant leap. Good to see such research projects related to space is being carried out in these difficult times. Best of luck.
@Spock: What an idea. So now you should work on it and launch an iPad. This will be first of its kind in the world :p. An iPad orbiting the earth :p. Sounds good.
This is a satellite generated by IST Islamabad, it is a university project. So it is not a big deal in space program but a very good initiative by the university's perspective. So it is not a SUPARCO project so chill out!
What a misleading headline.
What a misleading article .
@lol: This is known as intelligence without spending a single penny :P
the above four comments are a classic example of Pakistani cynicism
The previous record for maximum satellites launched at once was by ISRO.
@Mohd tarekh: @lol: Misconception! Faculty and students of the institute developed it here in Pakistan. It is funded by IST. As Pakistan doesn't have launchpad so IST had to use Russia's launchpad.
I can understand the use of words "space dynamics" and "microgravity" but what on earth does this cubesat got to with nanotechnology? Is this another hyperbole to pump up Pakistani turkey pride just as Musharraf did with his now butt-of-jokes-in-the-space-technology-circles statement - "We are 30 years ahead of India with this satellite" (which was actually built and launched by China). Just scratching my head!!!!
With the iCUBE-1 pico satellite having “a mass of 1.1 Kg” and “a volume of 10cm cube”, it is near impossible to work up a paroxysm of righteous indignation and rave that Pakistan would have been better served if toilets should have built rather than the pico-satellite.
Guys, please read carefully. I think the satellite was developed at the IST in Islamabad, and the Russian vehicle was just used to send it to space. Also, for updates, check www.ist.edu.pk
@Spock: @piddler: For a beginner such as IST, even low res sat is not a piece of cake. Please don't underestimate the institute's sincere efforts.
Lol, came to know its a 10cm cube, its official.The Russian built a 10cm cube, which was put on a Gigantic rocket and sent to space by the Russians for the Pakistanis.A 10 cm cube, cost Rs 700, Launch Cost: Rs 3000.Inspire on...
@Mohd tarekh: The satellite was built by Pakistan.
It is 10 cm cube in dimension. Smaller than an iPad. They could have floated an ipad in the space, it can also take low res pics and email to you.
So,Sattelite built by russia,send by russia.......sold to pakistan becomes pakistani sattelite...........lol.........man camels are there...dont try hard......
how is a satellite developed by some other nation....funded by some other nation....launched by some other nation belong to pakistan??
Motivate our youth ?? What jibbrish? What a waste of money low res. Images? We should rename it istupid-1