Insta
A 21st Century Space Race: After India, Pakistan Announces Decision To Send Human In Space By 2022
Swarajya Staff
Oct 26, 2018, 11:11 AM | Updated 11:11 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Celebrating 75 years of India’s independence, PM Narendra Modi in his I-Day address announced the decision to send an Indian astronaut to space by 2022, which would it just the fourth nation in the world to do so.
But in what comes as a surprise, Pakistan’s information minister Fawad Chaudhry announced on Thursday (25 October) that, Pakistan too is planning to send a human to space for the first time in 2022 with China's help.
As reported by Times of India, Chaudhary was quoted saying, “ An agreement between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and a Chinese company has already been signed”.
The proposal was cleared by Prime Minister Imran Khan in the federal cabinet meeting, ahead of his visit to Beijing on 3 November. Pakistan is one of the world’s top buyers of Chinese military hardware.
Earlier this year, Pakistan launched two indigenously built satellites into orbit, using a Chinese launch vehicle.
One of the satellites launched was a remote sensing satellite (PRSS1) – a dual-purpose Earth observational and optical satellite.
The second test satellite launched was a PAK-TES-1A, developed by Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (Suparco) to enhance satellite manufacture capabilities in the country which might help end Pakistan's dependency on commercial satellites for information related to weather, environment and agriculture.
Also Read: To Go Boldly Where Many Have Gone Before
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.