News
Friday, August 12, 2011
Pakistan launches communications satellite
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first communications satellite PAKSAT-1R, as a part of Pakistan’s Space Programme-2040, was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre on Thursday. Besides others, the launch was witnessed by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Syed Athar Ali, Foreign Affairs Secretary Salman Bashir, Strategic Plans Division Director General Lt Gen (r) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai and Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Muhammad Masood Khan, said a press release. PAKSAT-1R has a total of 30 transponders, 12 in C-band and 18 in Ku-band. The satellite will be deployed at 380E in the geo-stationary orbit and it will replace the existing satellite PAKSAT-1. PAKSAT-1R has a design life of 15 years and will provide TV broadcasting, Internet and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Far East. The National Command Authority approved Pakistan’s Space Programme, 2040 during its meeting on July 14. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk