Pakistan signs new satellite contract with China (CGWIC)

On 22 March, Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) signed a contract with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for the joint-development and launch of the PakSat Multi-Mission (PakSat-MM1) satellite.

“One important element of this contract (PakSat-MM1) is that both … sides are contributing 50%. It is a joint-effort of both countries that makes it (PakSat-MM1) even more valuable,” said Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal to journalists (Radio Pakistan).

According to a report from the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan, PakSat-MM1 will operate as a commercial communications satellite, including the provision of Direct-to-Home (DTH) services.

However, according to CGWIC (Twitter), the PakSat-MM1 deal also involves an interim satellite to serve as a stopgap. The contract for the “gap filler satellite” was also finalized. The APP states that the stopgap satellite had already “arrived at Pakistan’s geostationary orbital location of 38.2° East.”

In addition to PakSat-MM1, Iqbal also confirmed the status of two other SUPARCO satellite programs.

First, Iqbal stated that Pakistan’s first low-earth orbit (LEO) earth observation satellite – Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) – will be launched into in mid-2018. According to SUPARCO, the PRSS-1 will have a service-life of five years.

Second, an indigenously produced satellite from SUPARCO – i.e. Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite-1A (PakTES-1A) – is also in the pipeline.

According to Iqbal, “[PakTES-1A] is an indigenous project from concept till launch by SUPARCO engineers and scientists.” It is unclear if PakTES-1A will be launched separately or as co-payload (with the PRSS-1 or some other satellite).  However, it appears that the PakTES-1A will accompany PRSS-1.

SUPARCO’s original vision for the PRSS-1 – initially known as the Earth Observation Satellite System (EOSS) in 2006-2007 – was to comprise of two satellites: one equipped with an electro-optical (EO) system and another with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR).