ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Pakistan on Thursday launched its all-weather capable China-backed multi-mission communications satellite for faster internet connectivity, making it Islamabad's second satellite to be sent into orbit within a month.
The multi-mission communications satellite, also known as PAKSAT MM1, was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China's southwestern province of Sichuan, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
It said the satellite entered its planned orbit.
A statement issued by state broadcaster Pakistan Television said the satellite would "provide the best internet facilities across Pakistan" and help improve television broadcasting, cellular phone and broadband services. It said the satellite will start providing service in August, Dawn newspaper reported.Congratulating the country on the launch, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehba Sharif said she hoped the satellite would help provide the fastest internet access across the country, the state-run Associated Press Pakistan reported.
“I am particularly excited about the potential impact of PAKSAT MM1 on internet connectivity across Pakistan. With its cutting-edge communications technology, this satellite promises to revolutionize our digital landscape and provide the fastest internet access across the country,” the report quoted Sharif as saying.
Sharif said that PAKSAT MM1 will not only improve the lives of Pakistani citizens but will also contribute in promoting economic activities e-commerce and e-governance.
According to the report, he said the launch from China's satellite launch center was "proof of the strong cooperation and partnership between the two countries".“It is through such cooperative efforts that we can move our country forward and harness the power of technology for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that positioning the satellite in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above Earth was an "impressive achievement" that demonstrated the country's scientific and technological prowess.
In a statement last week, Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said the launch of the satellite was a part of the National Space Program 2047.
The News International newspaper quoted Suparco's statement as saying, "PAKSAT MM1 was conceived as a joint venture between Suparco and China's Aerospace Industry to address the country's growing needs in a wide spectrum of communications and connectivity." "
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who attended the launch, said that soon Pakistan will launch the satellite from its launching pad.“The day is not far when we will launch our satellites on our own rockets from the Space Launch Center of Pakistan. Congratulations Pakistan,” he said.
On May 3, Pakistan's mini satellite 'Icube-Qamar' was launched from Hainan province as part of China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission.
The report said that Pakistan has sent at least six assets into space namely BADR-A, BADR-B, PAKSA 1-R, PRSS-1, PakTes 1-A and iCube Qamar.
Following the May 3 launch, iCube-Qamar transmitted the first images of Moo captured in lunar orbit following its ascent into space on May 8.
The multi-mission communications satellite, also known as PAKSAT MM1, was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China's southwestern province of Sichuan, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
It said the satellite entered its planned orbit.
A statement issued by state broadcaster Pakistan Television said the satellite would "provide the best internet facilities across Pakistan" and help improve television broadcasting, cellular phone and broadband services. It said the satellite will start providing service in August, Dawn newspaper reported.Congratulating the country on the launch, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehba Sharif said she hoped the satellite would help provide the fastest internet access across the country, the state-run Associated Press Pakistan reported.
“I am particularly excited about the potential impact of PAKSAT MM1 on internet connectivity across Pakistan. With its cutting-edge communications technology, this satellite promises to revolutionize our digital landscape and provide the fastest internet access across the country,” the report quoted Sharif as saying.
Sharif said that PAKSAT MM1 will not only improve the lives of Pakistani citizens but will also contribute in promoting economic activities e-commerce and e-governance.
According to the report, he said the launch from China's satellite launch center was "proof of the strong cooperation and partnership between the two countries".“It is through such cooperative efforts that we can move our country forward and harness the power of technology for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that positioning the satellite in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above Earth was an "impressive achievement" that demonstrated the country's scientific and technological prowess.
In a statement last week, Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said the launch of the satellite was a part of the National Space Program 2047.
The News International newspaper quoted Suparco's statement as saying, "PAKSAT MM1 was conceived as a joint venture between Suparco and China's Aerospace Industry to address the country's growing needs in a wide spectrum of communications and connectivity." "
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who attended the launch, said that soon Pakistan will launch the satellite from its launching pad.“The day is not far when we will launch our satellites on our own rockets from the Space Launch Center of Pakistan. Congratulations Pakistan,” he said.
On May 3, Pakistan's mini satellite 'Icube-Qamar' was launched from Hainan province as part of China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission.
The report said that Pakistan has sent at least six assets into space namely BADR-A, BADR-B, PAKSA 1-R, PRSS-1, PakTes 1-A and iCube Qamar.
Following the May 3 launch, iCube-Qamar transmitted the first images of Moo captured in lunar orbit following its ascent into space on May 8.
