Badr (satellite)

This article is about the Pakistani satellites. For the Saudi Arabian communications satellites, see Arab Satellite Communications Organization.

Badr-1
Mission typeExperimental
OperatorSUPARCO
COSPAR ID1990-059A
SATCAT no.20685
WebsiteBadr-A
Mission duration30 days (planned)
35 days (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerSUPARCO
Launch mass52 kg
Start of mission
Launch date16 July 1990, 00:40:00 UTC
RocketLong March 2E
Launch siteXichang, LA-2
End of mission
Last contact20 August 1990
Decay date8 December 1990
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Badr-B
Mission typeEarth observation satellite
OperatorSUPARCO
COSPAR ID2001-056C
SATCAT no.26703
WebsiteBadr B
Mission duration10 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerSUPARCO
Launch mass68 kg
Start of mission
Launch date10 December 2001,
17:19:00 UTC
RocketZenit-2
Launch siteBaikonour, Site 45
End of mission
Last contact2012
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude986 km
Apogee altitude1014 km
Inclination99.7°
Period105.0 minutes

Badr was a series of satellites operated by Pakistan. The first satellite, Badr-1, was launched in July 1990. It was the first SUPARCO-engineered object to orbit the Earth. That launch took place on July 16, 1990, as part of the International Frequency Registration Bureau. The Urdu word "Badr" literally means "Full Moon," and its launch vehicle was the Chinese Long March 2E space rocket.[1]

The Badr series consisted of two satellites. Both were developed by SUPARCO. Badr-1 successfully completed its designated life. Badr-B was the second spacecraft and the first Earth observation satellite launched by Pakistan. It was placed into Sun-synchronous orbit on December 10, 2001, at 5:19 PM UTC.[2]

The Badr program was decommissioned in 2012 after Badr-B completed its successful mission. The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite has replaced the Badr program since 2018.[3]

  1. ^ "Development of Satellite Facilities". www.suparco.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010.
  2. ^ "Badr-B". SUPARCO's Directorate-General for the Public Relations. SUPARCO and the Government of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. ^ "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.