Does Pakistan have any space research agencies or programs like NASA?

[IslamabadUnited]

I am very curious to know if we have any space programs in Pakistan? What is the government doing for space studies in Pakistan? Are we behind our neighbors in that sense?

 

[JaDed]

If you would had googled it you would had got it,SUPARCO

 

[Nostalgic]

SUPARCO has been around for a while. A few of my classmates joined it after graduation, alongside the other Defence organizations like AERO, NDC etc.

 

[JaDed]

SUPARCO has been around for a while. A few of my classmates joined it after graduation, alongside the other Defence organizations like AERO, NDC etc.

How is the work in SUPARCO?

 

[Nostalgic]

How is the work in SUPARCO?

It's top secret. I could tell you, but then I'd have to come find you, and you know the rest

Truth be told, I don't know. The people who work there and at the other such organizations won't ever talk about it.

 

[IslamabadUnited]

Are we soon going to land on the moon?

 

[JaDed]

It's top secret. I could tell you, but then I'd have to come find you, and you know the rest

Truth be told, I don't know. The people who work there and at the other such organizations won't ever talk about it.

My bad but considering they stick to working in SUPARCO they must have work satisfaction.

 

[Nostalgic]

My bad but considering they stick to working in SUPARCO they must have work satisfaction.

It pays reasonably well, they get a lot of fringe benefits too, so I'm sure that plays a role.

I should mention that I left the country ten years ago, so I'm not sure if the situation is still the same and if SUPARCO and NDC etc are still seen as lucrative gigs. One of the more recent Engineering graduates could probably comment more.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Ibn-e-Insha summed up our space program once


Pait roti say khaali
Jaib paisay say khaali
Baatain baseerat say khaali
Waaday haqeeqat say khaali
Dil dar say khaali
Demagh aqal say khaali
Shehar farzaanoun say khaali
Jangal deewanoun say khaali

Yeh khilaai daur hai

Loag towhum kay ghubaray phailatay hain
Majoon-e-falak sair khaatay hain
Roooyat-e-halal kamaitian banaatay hain
Aasmaan kay taaray torr laatay hain
Datt kay dumbay nosh farmaatay hain
bait-ul-khala main madaar par pohanch jaatay hain

hamaaray haan ka khilai dour yeh hi hai

Funny that this was written in 1970 and still holds true.

 

[anakin]

SUPARCO is directly under Military control of Pakistan, unlike other space agencies which are mostly autonomous. Pak Military is not concerned with satellites, etc but its expansion of missile programs.
Hence, you don't see any satellite launches from Pakistan.

The missile systems of Pakistan are developed by SUPARCO. Its all about priorities of different countries.

 

[Lonewarrior]

China Launched 2nd Pakistani Satellite PAKSAT-1R in 2011.

2 more Satellites are going to be launched in 2018/19.
Currently they are under construction process in Karachi & Lahore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Remote_Sensing_Satellite

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_and_Upper_Atmosphere_Research_Commission

NESCOM and SUPARCO are working togather for Space Program.

 

[cricwiz]

How is the work in SUPARCO?

The work in SUPARCO is "Rocket Science"

 

[Lonewarrior]

NESCOM and SUPARCO are working togather for space program.

 

[IslamabadUnited]

NESCOM and SUPARCO are working togather for space program.

Are they successful organizations? Are they hiring recent grads?

 

[Lonewarrior]

Are they successful organizations? Are they hiring recent grads?

Succuessful in what means ? every country have different priority. if you are comparing SUPARCO with NASA or with any other country thn , NO.

Becoz we have different priorities with limited budget.
if you know the geopolitical location of pakistan thn you will understand it.

and yes they hired Grads. but its tough to get job in SUPARCO or NESCOM becoz they are controlled by Defence sector.

 

[IslamabadUnited]

Succuessful in what means ? every country have different priority. if you are comparing SUPARCO with NASA or with any other country thn , NO.

Becoz we have different priorities with limited budget.
if you know the geopolitical location of pakistan thn you will understand it.

and yes they hired Grads. but its tough to get job in SUPARCO or NESCOM becoz they are controlled by Defence sector.

Successful in that sense that they are encouraging recent grads to pursuit a career with them. I want to see a bright future of space research in Pakistan.

 

[Lonewarrior]

Successful in that sense that they are encouraging recent grads to pursuit a career with them. I want to see a bright future of space research in Pakistan.

yes they hired recent grads but as i said its very competitive to get job in SUPARCO or NESCOM.

 

[anakin]

Come on guys, He is posting good questions as thread openers without any malafide intent(which is the usual norm in starting a slugfest).

Keep it up [MENTION=140316]IslamabadUnited[/MENTION]

 

[Vorador]

Wasn't there going to be a satellite launch in 2017?

 

[IslamabadUnited]

Wasn't there going to be a satellite launch in 2017?

Yes, I think so. I read somewhere about that.

 

[anuk]

Come on guys, He is posting good questions as thread openers without any malafide intent(which is the usual norm in starting a slugfest).

Keep it up [MENTION=140316]IslamabadUnited[/MENTION]

Yeah loving his/her threads. There is no malicious intent at all and it's always great to read the opinions of the bright, diverse community we have here.

 

[anakin]

Yeah loving his/her threads. There is no malicious intent at all and it's always great to read the opinions of the bright, diverse community we have here.

Some of the threads are started just to show the other side in bad light. Some posters go scavenging through the dirt to start a thread on those lines.
[MENTION=140316]IslamabadUnited[/MENTION] posts simple threads that invite some helpful knowledge for those who don't know. Don't bully him guys!

 

[Lords]

Pakistan had the first space program in the indian subcontinent. I think it was started by non other than first ever muslim who got noble in science Dr Abdus Salam.

But unfortunately SUPARCO has not done anything significant since then. Its a white elephant far behind its peers in every expect.

I think instead of competing they should collobrate with some other agency. May be they can attach with Chini agency , that should bring them up to speed soon

 

[Yossarian]

I hope you don't start a thread on how to change a bulb.

"change a bulb?" - most likely his thread will be "Do they have lightbulbs in Pakistan?"

 

[IslamabadUnited]

"change a bulb?" - most likely his thread will be "Do they have lightbulbs in Pakistan?"

That's an excellent question. I am sure Pakistan doesn't have light bulbs otherwise we would have electricity 24/7.

 

[IslamabadUnited]

China Launched 2nd Pakistani Satellite PAKSAT-1R in 2011.

2 more Satellites are going to be launched in 2018/19.
Currently they are under construction process in Karachi & Lahore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Remote_Sensing_Satellite

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_and_Upper_Atmosphere_Research_Commission

NESCOM and SUPARCO are working togather for Space Program.

Seems like a positive step. I hope our space program does well in the future. Thanks for sharing the video.

 

[Thivagar]

These 3rd world countries need to first feed and educate their people. No point in spending Billions on military and on space programs.

 

[IslamabadUnited]

These 3rd world countries need to first feed and educate their people. No point in spending Billions on military and on space programs.

I agree however, doesn't these kind of programs help 3rd world countries become developed? And helps them compete with developed nations?

 

[Thivagar]

I agree however, doesn't these kind of programs help 3rd world countries become developed? And helps them compete with developed nations?

Compete with developed nation in what ? There are no competition, developed nations will just think its just cute. Imagine having a nice high end BMW car, you are not so well neighbour buys a used, slightly older BMW model, you aren't going to be amazed with his purchase because you already have a better and a nicer car. He might think you are competing with him because both of you drive BMW, but yours is much more better so you won't be impressed as at all. That is how western countries see the achievement of developing nations.

 

[Greenstorm]

Are they successful organizations? Are they hiring recent grads?

Dont know much about SUPARCO but NESCOM is a very professional organization and it is hiring recent grads. I will apply there after graduation .

 

[IslamabadUnited]

Dont know much about SUPARCO but NESCOM is a very professional organization and it is hiring recent grads. I will apply there after graduation .

That's good to know that someone here is interested in the space program. Good luck and I hope you will get the job.

 

[MenInG]

I did my internship in SUPARCO in the 80s - was in poor state then

Hopefully its better now

 

[Belawal2014]

I did my internship in SUPARCO in the 80s - was in poor state then

Hopefully its better now

I wonder how old you are now. My guess is early 40s.

 

[IslamabadUnited]

I did my internship in SUPARCO in the 80s - was in poor state then

Hopefully its better now

How was the experience? Did you like the atmosphere?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Pakistan also has an Antarctic Base


amazing how many people dont know that

 

[IslamabadUnited]

Pakistan also has an Antarctic Base


amazing how many people dont know that

Really, that's exciting news. I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing.

 

[battler]

I wonder how old you are now. My guess is early 40s.

You mean early 50's!

 

[Syed1]

Pakistan also has an Antarctic Base


amazing how many people dont know that

Maybe we can send Zardari, Nawazo and Altaf bhai on a paid vacation to the Antarctic Base.

 

[Lonewarrior]

National Space Program 2047 approved by National Command Authority (NCA)


-Implementation of national space program commenced.
-Includes launches of series of satellites.
-First Pakistani to go into space by 2022. Agreement with China signed.
-LUNAR PROBE
-Mission for MARS
-Pilot project going on for National Positioning System.
-Development of satellites & self reliance.

When NCA is involved, consider it done.