SGAC Pakistan

National Points of Contact 
Pakistan

Welcome to the national page of SGAC Pakistan. This page contains details about space-related activities in Pakistan, and also contains links to national organizations and volunteer groups that are engaged in such activities. SGAC Pakistan intends to invoke the interest of the general public towards space and space applications by forming connections with national societies and community-wide efforts that are popularizing and appraising people about space and its applications for human development.

Recent Developments

ICUBE-Q

Pakistan’s 1st lunar mission, ICUBE-qamar, launched in May 2024, developed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) of Pakistan in collaboration with China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). This collaboration with China aims to capture lunar images and gather data. The miniaturized satellite will spend some time in lunar orbit before ending its mission.

Conduct of APASC

In October – Nov 2023, in collaboration with the International Astronomical Search Campaign (APASC) and SGAC, Around 40 students participated and gained hands-on training in the domain of asteroid search and data analysis, the initiative was led by SGAC NPOCs of Pakistan [ Talha Noor & Dilawaiz Saghir] alongwith Space Society IST and Attock Astronomical Society.

Space Research Centers

SUPARCO

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is the main government agency for space programs. SUPARCO is responsible for developing satellites, conducting space research, and promoting space science education in Pakistan.

NCGSA – National Center of GIS and Space Applications

The emerging demand of GIS and Space Applications for the socio-economic development of Pakistan impelled the HEC to develop the National Center of GIS and Space Applications. Pakistan’s National Center of GIS & Space Applications (NCGSA) aims to train a skilled workforce, develop space technologies for national benefit, and commercialize these applications while promoting public awareness and industry partnerships.

Space Activities in Pakistan

ICASE – International Conference on Aerospace Science and Engineering

International Conference on Aerospace Science & Engineering (ICASE) is a regular biennial event to provide an International forum in which scientists, researchers, engineers, academicians, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and students from all over the world, get a chance to interact and discuss the latest themes and trends related to Aerospace Science & Engineering.

International Conference on Space (ICS)

ICS organized by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The most recent conference (ICS 2022) focused on the theme ‘Role of Space Technology in Socio Economic Development’.

National Space Week

NSW is a week-long event organized by SUPARCO every year to promote space science awareness in Pakistan. The event includes seminars, workshops, and exhibitions related to space exploration.

International Conference on Space and Atmospheric Science (ICSAS)

This conference is organized by the Center for Space and Atmospheric Sciences (COMSATS) Institute of Information Technology (CIIT). ICSAS brings together scientists, engineers, and researchers from around the world to discuss the latest developments in space and atmospheric science.

Other Notable Initiatives

The national space agency, Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has the mandate to conduct research & development activities in space science/technology and related fields in the country. Of the many programs currently going on at SUPARCO, one of the recent achievements is the geostationary satellite Paksat-1R which was launched in 2011, located at geostationary orbit slot 38° E. Paksat-1R is a communications satellite, operated, managed, and controlled by Pakistan. PAKSAT-1R is serving TV broadcasters, cellular operators, internet & data service providers and government organizations across South Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe. The next major project, that of a high-resolution remote sensing satellite, is currently under development, and is planned to be launched by 2016. SUPARCO has also recently established the Space Application Center for Response in Emergency & Disasters (SACRED) for disaster management and mitigation using space technologies. The SACRED center is the Regional Support Office (RSO) of United Nations Platform for Space Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) in Pakistan. The first university cubesat from Pakistan, “iCUBE-1” has been developed and launched in Nov., 2013 by the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad. Pakistan’s first remote sensing satellite is planned to be launched in 2019.

Young Space Activities Overview

In Pakistan, in addition to the opportunities provided by SGAC, many space-related activities are organized by various organizations and institutions. These include government organizations like SUPARCO, academic institutes like IST, and volunteer organizations such as the Khwarizmi Science Society, Pakistan Astronomical Society, Karachi Astronomers Society, and Lahore Astronomy Society. Many of these organizations focus their activities at the national level during the World Space Week (WSW). Additionally, the WSW is celebrated actively in collaboration with government and private stakeholders in space, and many space-awareness activities are held for participating young people. Many young students, up to high school level, participate in these activities organized by different organizations.

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge event has been held in Islamabad, Pakistan now for the third consecutive year. The International Space Apps Challenge is a weekend-hackathon that is run on the same dates at different locations in the world, where people across the globe collaborate and engage with publicly available data to design innovative solutions for global challenges.

Country-Specific Space Events

April – NASA International Space Apps Challenge – The International Space Apps Challenge is a weekend-hackathon that is run on the same dates at different locations in the world, where people across the globe collaborate and engage with publicly available data to design innovative solutions for global challenges. – Islamabad

October – World Space Week – World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year in October.

November – All Pakistan Asteroid Search Campaign (APASC)

December – Buraq Space Camp – Annual space camp for high school students with the motto of changing perceptions through visions of space.

August – International Conference on Aerospace Science & Engineering (ICASE) – IST, Islamabad