2014 Launch: SUPARCO aims to follow up with another satellite

ISLAMABAD:

After successful launch of communication satellite Paksat-IR, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) now plans to launch a high resolution Remote Sensing Satellite System (RSSS), in 2014, to meet the national and international user requirements in the field of satellite imagery.

RSSS will be a progressive and sustainable programme. Initially, Suparco plans to launch an optical satellite with payload of 2.5 metre PAN in 700 km sun-synchronous orbit by the end of year 2011, which will be followed by a series of optical and SAR satellites in future.

Giving further details, Secretary Suparco Arshad H Siraj said that it will be helpful in exploiting the potentials of space technologies for natural resource surveying and environmental monitoring.

RSSS will also be significant in executing application projects of national significance. He was of the view that RSSS will also be helpful in improving agriculture of the country, water resources and environment.





Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2011.