After ICUBE-Q, Pakistan launches modern communication satellite

Pakistan's second satellite mission was launched into space on Thursday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) in China.

Weighing five tons, the Institute of Space Technology (IST) has designed and developed the modern satellite in collaboration with Suparco.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the nation and scientists on this remarkable achievement. 

“This satellite project is the hallmark of technological cooperation between China and Pakistan,” Suparco said in a statement.

“The satellite is expected to contribute to the establishment of a sophisticated communication network and help meet the growing demands of the telecom sector,” it added.

MM1 will provide various communication services like broadband internet, TV broadcasting, mobile bank hauling and VSAT connectivity

On May 3, Pakistan launched its first-ever satellite moon mission iCube Qamar aboard Chang’E-6 Mission from the Wenchang space launch site, Hainan in China.

The student cube satellite was carried by China's Long March-5 rocket. The satellite made the country proud by entering into the lunar orbit on May 8.

Following the feat, Pakistan became the sixth country to bid for touching down on the Earth’s natural satellite.

While talking to a private news channel, IST informed that iCube-Qamar made three rounds around the moon.

According to IST, the iCube-Q orbiter carries two optical cameras to take pictures and videos of the lunar surface.

Later, the satellite mission sent back the first image of the moon from lunar orbit on May 10.