| CGWIC Successfully Launches PAKSAT-MM1 by LM-3B Launch Vehicle | The current page: Home -> News |
An LM-3B launch vehicle lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 20:12, May 30th, 2024, successfully sending the PAKSAT-MM1 satellite into its the predetermined orbit.
The PAKSAT-MM1 is an important project listed in“2021-2030 Space Cooperation Outline Programs” between China and Pakistan financed by the Chinese Government Concessional Loan. It is the 14th in-orbit delivery communications satellite contract signed by China Great Wall Industrial Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), with its customers. The end user of PAKSAT-MM1 is Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
The satellite, developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of CASC, is based on the DFH-4E satellite platform with a liftoff mass of 5,400 kg, and equipped with 9 antennas and 48 transponders in C, Ku, Ka, and L bands. It can provide various services such as broadcasting, regional enhanced communications, high-throughput broadband and the Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) services etc. The satellite will be positioned at 38.2° E orbit slot, covering the mainland and surrounding areas of Pakistan, parts of the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, East Africa, and parts of Europe, with a service life of 15 years. The satellite will provide high quality satellite transponders and broadband access resources for the enormous population and numerous users in the region, and significantly enhance satellite communications capacity of Pakistan. The Customer Furnished Items (CFIs) designed and developed by SUPARCO are on-board the PAKSAT-MM1 satellite to demonstrate and verify the Customers’ satellite development capability.
The LM-3B launch vehicle, developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of CASC, fully inherits the mature and flight-proven technology of the Long March family, and is capable of sending a maximum mass of 5,500 kg into the GTO orbit. This launch is the 96th launch of the LM-3B launch vehicle and the 524th launch of the Long March family.
SUPARCO is the Pakistan government authority responsible for space affairs. The PAKSAT-MM1 and the PAKSAT-1R are both operated by PAKSAT International (Private) Limited, a state operator subordinated to SUPARCO.
Date:2024-05-30
