 The display of Badr-1, prior to its launch. | |
| Mission type | Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | SUPARCO |
| COSPAR ID | 1990-059A |
| SATCAT no. | 20685 |
| Website | suparco |
| Mission duration | 35 days (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | SUPARCO |
| Launch mass | 52 kilograms (115 lb) |
| Power | 12.5 watts[citation needed] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 12 July 1990, 00:40:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Long March 2E |
| Launch site | Xichang, LA-2 |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | 21 August 1990 |
| Decay date | 9 December 1990 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 201.0 kilometres (124.9 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 984.0 kilometres (611.4 mi) |
| Inclination | 28.4° |
| Period | 96.3 minutes |
Badr-1 (Urdu: بدر-۱, meaning Full Moon-A) was the first artificial and the first digital communications satellite launched by Pakistan's national space authority — the SUPARCO — in 1990.[1] The Badr-1 was Pakistan's first indigenously developed and manufactured digital communications and an experimental artificial satellite which was launched into low Earth orbit by Pakistan on 16 July 1990, through a Chinese carrier rocket.[2] The launch ushered new military, technological, and scientific developments in Pakistan and also provided data on radio-signal distribution in the ionosphere.[2] Originally planned to be launched from the United States in 1986, the Challenger disaster further delayed the launch of the satellite which changed the plan. After the People's Republic of China offered Pakistan to use its facility, the Badr-1 was finally launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in 1990 on Long March 2E. Badr-1 travelled at 17,500 miles per hour (28,200 km/h), taking 96.3 minutes to complete an orbit, and emitted radio signals at the 145 to 435 MHz bands which were operated by Pakistan Amateur Radio Society (PARS).[1] The Badr-1 successfully completed its designed life, and a new satellite was proposed to be developed.[1]
- ^ a b c "Pakistan Space Program". Aerospace Guide: Pakistan Space Programme. Aerospace Guide. 10 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ^ a b "BADR-1 Pakistan's First Experimental Satellite". Online Induction. March 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.