Sonmiani (space facility)

Sonmiani
Flight Test Range
Agency overview
Formed November 21, 1961 (1961-11-21)
Jurisdiction Pakistan federal government
Headquarters SUPARCO HEADQUARTERS, in Karachi, Pakistan.
Employees Unknown (2008)
Annual budget See the budget of SUPARCO
Parent agency SUPARCO
Website SUPARCO home page

Sonmiani Spaceport is located at Sonmiani, Balochistan province in Pakistan, approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Karachi. Sonmiani is noted for its space research and development. The space facility is operated by Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) of Pakistan.[1]

History

Sonmiani Termial Launch is a launch site (spaceport) approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Karachi, Pakistan. The facility became operational in late 1962. Sonmiani Satellite Launch Center was planned and constructed by U.S.'s space agency, NASA in the early 1962s when a team of NASA's engineers visited Pakistan.

Sonmiani Satellite Launch Center was extensively used by NASA to conduct research in Space and rocket technology. Sonmiani Satellite Launch Center was Pakistan's first space research center and launch facility.

The area hosts a 2 square kilometre flight test range and that has been operated since 1962 by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). In the 1980s, when Pakistan began to pursue space technology. During the 1990s, the facility was expanded and modernized. In the 2000s, the facility was equipped by SUPARCO as the organization installed the high-tech computer and modernized electrical technology. The port has facilities only for launching sounding rockets with sub-orbital payloads.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sonmiani Flight Test Range (FTR)

Coordinates: 25°12′N 66°45′E / 25.200°N 66.750°E / 25.200; 66.750

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