Space programme 2040
Space program of SUPARCO, Pakistan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Space Programme 2040[1][2] is a satellite development and launch programme of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), Pakistan's space research authority.[3] The Space programme 2040 intends to replace the Badr satellite programme and geo-stationary communication satellite.[3] On 11 August 2011, Paksat-IR was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center by China, making it first satellite to be launched under this programme.[4] According to Suparco, five GEO satellites and six low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites will be launched between 2011 and 2040.[3]
The stated goals of the program are expected to gain significant experience in satellite development, practising of space medicine, and to promote socio-economic sector in the country.[1] While the programme intends to learn to develop the military and space technologies and to conduct experiments on fundamental sciences in space frontier, the government maintained that Space programme-2040's prime purpose is to bring the benefits of the full spectrum of space technology to the people of Pakistan.[1] On 15 July 2011, Prime minister Yousaf Gillani gave official approval of the programme with the 2011 Pakistan fiscal year budget.[1]