Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Where can I find the information about the Satellite Programs of SUPARCO?
Answer: The information regarding the SUPARCO’s Satellite programs can be found at https:1/suparco.gov.pk/major-programmes/projects/
Question: How do I apply for a job at SUPARCO?
Answer: SUPARCO vacancies are announced publicly via newspaper and posted on SUPARCO’s career website. The applicants are required to apply online via
www.smartcareers.pk.
Question: Where are SUPARCO centers located?
Answer: SUPARCO has major establishments at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. In-addition to that, there are offices located at Multan, Quetta, Peshawar and Gilgit.
Question: What kind of services does SUPARCO Communication Satellite, Paksat-1R provides?
Answer: TV broadcast, internet, data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern, Europe, East Africa and far East.
Question: How many Earth Observation Satellites does SUPARCO have?
Answer: SUPARCO has two Earth Observation Satellites called Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) and Pakistan Technical Evaluation Satellite (PakTES-1A).
Question: What kind of services does SUPARCO Earth Observation Satellites i.e PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A provide?
Answer: Agricultural monitoring, disaster management, urban planning, forestry, water management, weather forecast, geological research and many other areas.
Question: When was PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A launched?
Answer: PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A were successfully co-launched on 09-Jul-2018.
Question: Which was the first satellite launched by Pakistan?
Answer: Badr-1 was the first satellite launched by Pakistan in July, 1990.
Question: Does SUPARCO have any training institute?
Answer: SUPARCO Institute of Technical Training (SITT) located in Karachi offers Diploma in Associate Engineering.
Question: What are the possible opportunities for engineering graduates at SUPARCO?
Answer: SUPARCO recruits fresh as well as experienced engineers and scientists from diverse engineering background related to aerospace, electrical, mechanical, electronics, software engineering.
Question: How satellites are categorized in terms of mass?
Answer: A generic categorization of satellites in terms of mass is as follows:
| Mass of satellite(Kg) | Category |
| >1000 | Large satellite |
| 500-1000 | Medium satellite |
| 100-500 | Mini satellite |
| 10-100 | Micro satellite |
| 1-10 | Nano satellite |
| 0.1-1 | Pico satellite |
| <0.1 | Femto satellite |
Question: How many communication satellites does SUPARCO have?
Answer: SUPARCO has two in-orbit communication satellites called PAKSAT-1R and PAKSAT MM1
Question: When was the Paksat-1R launched in orbit?
Answer: Paksat-1R was launched in orbit on 11 Aug, 2011.
Question: What is the service life of Paksat-1R?
Answer: 15 years.
Question: How many transponders are there in Paksat-1R?
Answer: Paksat-1R has 12x transponders in C-band and 18x transponders in Ku-band.
Question: What is the altitude of Paksat-1R?
Answer: About 35786 km.
Question: What is the full form of PRSS?
Answer: Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite.
Question: What does PakTES stand for?
Answer: Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite.
Question: When was the PRSS-1 launched in orbit?
Answer: PRSS-1 was co-launched with PakTES-1A in July, 2018.
Question: What is the service life of PRSS-1?
Answer: More than seven years.
Question: What is the camera resolution of PRSS-1?
Answer: PRSS-1 has two onboard cameras of 1m and 3m resolution.
Question: What is the re-visit time of a particular area of interest?
Answer: Four days.
Question: What is the orbital height of PRSS-1?
Answer: About 640 km.
Question: What is the coverage area of PRSS-1?
Answer: Entire Globe.
Question: How many revolutions does PRSS-1 complete around the globe per day?
Answer: Fourteen Revolutions per day.
Question: How do I get in touch with a SUPARCO Commercial Representative?
SUPARCO can be contacted
Answer: Via email at cdg@suparco.gov.pk, via telephone 051-9075241, 051-9107235
Question: Can I visit SUPARCO as a walk in client?
Answer: SUPARCO can only be visited with invitation from a designated Official or prior coordination with Commercial rep.
Question: How do I place an order for Satellite Imagery?
Answer: Drop the purpose and technical specifications of your requirement at cdg@suparco.gov.pk
Question: What should be included in the technical specification while ordering for Satellite Imagery?
Answer: Following aspects should be covered while sending your request
- Area of Interest (Coordinates or shape file)
- Fresh or Archive imagery (In case of archive, date)
- Resolution (0.3m, 0.5m,0.98m,1.5m, 2.5m)
Question: What other products/services does SUPARCO provide, besides Satellite Imagery?
Answer: In addition to satellite imagery, SUPARCO provides the following products/services as well:
- GIS related Trainings
- Personnel Protective Gear
- Microwave Products
- Communication Products
Question: Which products are provided under Personnel Protective Gear?
Answer: Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) and Light Weight Combat Helmets (LWCHs) are available for commercial clients.
Question: Which products are provided under Microwave Products?
Answer: Active and Passive Microwave filters are available for commercial clients
Question: Which products are provided under Communication Products?
Answer: Smart Satellite Data Link System and SUPARCO’s Secure SatCom Network are provided under Communication products
Question: What do I do if I have an issue with my delivered order?
Answer: If you have any concerns regarding your order kindly contact commercial Dte Gen on 051- 9075241.
Question: How many Remote Sensing Satellite does SUAPRCO have in orbit?
Answer: SUPARCO launched its two RSS in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from China on 9th July 2018, namely Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) and Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite (PakTES-1A).
Question: Are there any laws that govern Space Activities?
Answer: Space is mainly governed through 5 x United Nations Treaties for peaceful uses of Space, namely
- Outer Space Treaty adopted by the UNGA in 1967
- Rescue Agreement adopted by the UNGA in 1968
- Liability Convention adopted by the UNGA in 1972
- Registration Convention adopted by the UNGA in 1975
- Moon Agreement adopted by the UNGA in 1979
Pakistan is State Party to all 5 x treaties.
Question: Does SUPARCO collaborate with counterparts of other countries / international organizations in the field of space science and technology?
Answer: SUPARCO has an active international cooperation program. Please see International Cooperation section for more information.
Question: What is SEAD?
Answer: Space Education and Awareness Drive or SEAD is a department of SUPARCO dedicated for space education, public awareness and outreach activities in the country. It is national coordinator of various International Events such as World Space Week, Cassini Scientist for a Day, APRSAF Water Rocket and Poster Making Competition etc. For more information please visit SEAD’s official website www.sead.pk.
Question: Does SUPARCO offer internships to students?
Answer: SUPARCO has an active academia-industry linkage program. Internships are offered twice a year to final year undergraduate university students of multidisciplinary fields. Internships and other academia related activities are dealt by Space Education and Awareness department of SUPARCO i.e. SEAD.
For more information please visit SEAD’s official website www.sead.pk.
Question: How can I participate in Space education and awareness activities and competitions?
Answer: Please visit SEAD’s official website, www.sead.pk.