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Pakistan to launch its own satellite: report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 27, IRNA
Pakistan-Satellite-Suparco
Pakistan has decided to manufacture and launch its own advanced satellite and President Pervez Musharraf has given a green signal, reports said on Sunday.

The daily called `The News' added that state-run Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (Suparco) has been reorganized.

"Its scientists and technicians have been given the necessary incentives to make greater contribution to the country's entry into space on its own.

"Up till now Suparco has manufactured weather forecast satellites, which have been launched through the satellite launcher of a friendly country," reported the daily.

It added that scientists, engineers and technicians of the commission have started to accomplish the task assigned to it by the president.

"They are determined to achieve the mission of manufacturing and launching a communication and surveillance satellite before the stipulated period.

"This satellite will play a crucial role in the prosperity and defense of the nation," said the report.

According to the daily, Suparco has also put into operation the Aerospace Institute.

"This center has become functional for imparting post-graduate education in the field of space science and space technology. It has done a splendid job in conducting feasibility studies for Remote Sensing Satellite and Communication Satellite.

"The organization has made deep studies on development of Satellite Launcher Vehicle (SLV), which will launch the proposed satellites into space," it added.

The daily said that Suparco has successfully applied satellite images for survey of natural resources and national developments.

"Officials say Pakistan had made a beginning in its space research program in 1962. At that time very few nations of the world had any idea of this new frontier of exploration by the mankind.

"However, due to lack of proper support and perhaps commitment, the program did not make much progress over the past years.

/TK/2326/1432
::IRNA No.012 27/03/2005 13:11 --End