ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s latest modern communication satellite, PAKSAT MM1, has successfully entered the earth’s orbit, the country’s national space agency confirmed on Friday, more than a week after its launch with China’s assistance.
The launch of PAKSAT MM1 from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center was broadcast live by Islamabad and Karachi offices of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on May 30.
Suparco spokesperson Maria Tariq said the satellite successfully entered its intended orbit on June 5.
“PAKSAT MM1 was positioned at an altitude of 38,786 kilometers with its location 38.2 degrees east of the earth’s orbit,” Tariq said in a statement.
“Following its arrival in the orbit, the satellite’s solar panels have been activated.”
Tariq noted that the five-ton PAKSAT MM1 satellite was equipped with latest communication equipment, which would help provide high-speed Internet across Pakistan.
Various tests would be conducted on the satellite to ensure its functionality and health in the orbit, she added.
The launch of PAKSAT MM1 came weeks after Pakistan launched its first satellite, ICUBE-Qamar or ICUBE-Q, into the space aboard China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission from Hainan, China on May 3.
A major milestone in Pakistan’s space exploration efforts, the satellite successfully entered the moon’s orbit on May 8, and began transmitting the first images shortly afterwards.
Pakistani communication satellite successfully enters earth’s orbit — national space agency
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Pakistani communication satellite successfully enters earth’s orbit — national space agency
- PAKSAT MM1 is equipped with latest communication equipment to help provide high-speed Internet across Pakistan
- On May 3, Pakistan also launched its first satellite, ICUBE-Q, into space aboard China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission
Islamabad allows UK’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to Pakistan
- The development comes days after Pakistan privatized national airline PIA, which currently flies to Manchester
- Norse Atlantic will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Islamabad, minister says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has allowed Britain’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to the South Asian country, the Pakistani defense minister announced late Thursday, days after privatization of the state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The UK is home to over 1.6 million Pakistanis. PIA had resumed its flight operations to the UK in October last year after Britain lifted a ban on Pakistani carriers in July, nearly half a decade after grounding them over a pilot licensing scandal.
The Pakistani airline, which began operating three weekly flights to Manchester, is set to operate direct flights to London in March, its spokesperson confirmed late last month, following the privatization of the debt-ridden carrier.
In a post on X late Thursday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced the South Asian country approved the designation of Norse Atlantic, which will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
“The increase in operations of international airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive environment leading to world class service and balance in fares,” he said.
Meanwhile, PIA will operate London flights from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, which the airline said is recognized as one of its most modern terminals.
“London was PIA’s very first international destination and remains one of its most important and attractive routes,” the airline spokesperson said. ““Starting Mar. 29, PIA will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London.”
Pakistan’s government succeeded in its efforts to privatize PIA on Dec. 23, when a consortium, led by Arif Habib Group, secured a 75 percent stake in the airline for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
The sale marked Pakistan’s most aggressive attempt in decades to reform the debt-ridden national airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses. The government said it would end decades of state-funded bailouts and help revive the airline.
