Pak, China to jointly launch satellite on August 14

Beijing, May 21(ANI): Pakistan and China would jointly launch a communication satellite PAKSAT-1R on August 14 to replace the Sat-1 satellite, which is on the verge of expiry.

The satellite would be launched into orbit on the Pakistan's Independence Day and symbolizes Sino-Pak friendship, a China Academy for Space Technology (CAST) official has revealed.

The satellite has been developed with the joint efforts of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission and China Great Wall Industry Corporation.

The programme is in line with Pakistan's Medium Term Development Framework objectives and may enhance satellite communication for Pakistan.

The Exim Bank of China has provided soft-term credit amounting to 86.5 million RMB (Chinese currency) for the project, The Dawn reports.

An agreement for manufacturing PAKSAT-1R satellite was signed in 2008.

Pakistan had launched its first satellite Badar with the Chinese cooperation in 1990. (ANI)