STAFF REPORT IBD: The government is planning to build satellite development centre infrastructure at Institute of Space Technology (IST) having facilities to develop, test and qualify satellites up to 100 kg.
The centre will work on the development of the satellite bus as well as payload designs. It will be a hub for all national universities to participate in satellite and payloads design and development, said an official.
He also said that the research park will also be built at the institute where national and international organizations will be invited to get space at nominal rates. The Ministry of SandT is developing national level consensusfor space programs funding compatible with the expected outcome. The basic purpose is to align the pace of space technology endeavours with other countries, he said.
“Need is to formulate long strategy for building a fleet of geostationary satellites with advanced payloads, such as utilisation of Ka frequency band, regenerative transponders and co-location, for creating hot spots.”
He said Pakistan has to enhance its space technology significantly in order to preserve its security, and to meet environmental and commercial requirements.