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Pakistan to launch remote-sensing satellite in 2018: President Mamnoon
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Space experts, researchers and students had the unique opportunity to meet and discuss latest developments in space technologies and applications at the 2nd International Conference on Space (ICS-2016). The conference offered a platform for professionals to discuss ways and means of using technologies to address issues of international concern.
The major space conference, held in Islamabad, was organized by Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the national space agency of Pakistan, in collaboration with Institute of Space Technology (IST). Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences & Technology (ISNET) co-sponsored the Conference.
Eminent space sciences experts from Canada, China, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Hongkong, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Turkey, USA and others attended the conference and presented their papers.
First Muslim Astronaut (Malaysian), Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie, visited Pakistan for the first time to attend ICS 2016 and shared his experience with the Pakistani audience.
A Pakistani, Reginald Foulds, selected for one-way Mars Mission called “Mars One Mission” also shared his experiences and enthusiasm about his upcoming adventure.
Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain participated as the chief guest.
“The benefits of space research have a great relevance for developing countries. Space applications play a vital role in better management of national resources, food security, weather forecasting, disaster management and modern day communication. Therefore it goes without saying that effective use of space technology is vital for national development, especially for a developing country like Pakistan” which can utilize space technology in various sectors such as communication, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, hazards warning and education.
The president said that Pakistan is among very few countries that have ratified all the five United Nations space treaties, and is committed to upholding the cause of peaceful and sustainable uses of outer space in cooperation and collaboration with all the nations of the world.
“Our ongoing cooperation and collaboration with international and regional agencies such as United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), COSPAS Search & Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (COSPAS SARSAT), Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the areas of space science and technology is a testimony to the values we attach to collaboration and knowledge-sharing in this important sector,” the president said.
SUPARCO is already operating PAKSAT 1R communication satellite, which is being used to provide services to both domestic and international users. It is inspiring to know that majority of the national TV channels are using our own satellite PAKSAT 1R.
President Mamnoon Hussain also shared at the conference SUPARCO would launch Pakistan’s first remote sensing satellite in March 2018 with the help of China with the ultimate aim of giving a boost to the national developmental activities.
“Space technology is being actively used in the planning and monitoring of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects,” he said.
Around 15 papers and a number of keynote speeches were held including “China’s space Activities” by Secretary General Tian Yulong from Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA), “Harnessing Space Applications Benefits” by Director General Malaysian Space Agency (ANGKASA) Dr. NoorDin Bin Ahmed, ‘Turkish Space Operations- Past, Present and Future’ by Consultant TUBITAK UZAY, Dr Serhend Arvas and a note on ‘Pak China Space Cooperation’ by Fu Zhiheng, Vice President Chinese Great Wall Industry Cooperation.
Another 34 scientific papers were presented on the 2nd day of the conference by national and international participants.
In his welcome address, SUPARCO Chairman Qaisar Anees Khurram highlighted the importance of space for the national development and said that space technology and its applications are playing a pivotal role in achieving national development goals worldwide. He said “Although late, developing countries have realized the significance of the use of space-based technologies in a number of ways. Over the years, research and engineering advances in space technologies have paved the way for groundbreaking inventions in a host of other fields of scientific and technological endeavours.”
International Conference on Space is a biennial event focusing on all aspects of space. It is aimed at providing a forum to share latest developments in space technologies and applications and discuss ways and means of using these to address issues of international concern.
ICS-2016 gathered space professionals, decision-makers, academicians, researchers and scientists as well as students of space sciences and technologies to showcase their achievements, share experiences and voice their opinions on space-related issues in a highly interactive and cross-disciplinary environment.
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Keynote Speakers at 2nd International Conference on Space 2016
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Prof. Dr. Li Xinjun, Secretary General at Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)
Stefano Vignudelli, Researcher at Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR)
Prof. Dr. Christa Baumstark-Khan, Head of Cellular Biodiagnostics Working Group at Institute of Aerospace Medicine – German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar, First Malaysian Astronaut CEO and Managing Director at Angkasawan Innovation Sdn Bhd (Astronaut Innovation Limited)
Mr. Fu Zhiheng, Vice President at China Great Wall Industry Corporation- CGWIC
Dr. Serhend Arvas, Consultant at TUBITAK UZAY, Turkey
Mr. Tian Yulong, Secretary General at China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Shufan Wu, Director of New Technology at Shanghai Engineering Centre for Microsatellites
Parviz Tarikhi, Physicist and Space Remote Sensing Specialist at National Remote Sensing Laboratory, Alborz Space Center, Iranian Space Agency
Goran Nikolašević, Operations Manager at World Space Week (WSW) Association, Hrvatsko, Croatia
Mr. Reginald Foulds, Emergency Operation Officer at the Office of The Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, Ontario
Abel Ramoelo, Senior Researcher at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Yousif Ali Hussin, Associate Professor of Remote Sensing/GIS at Geo-University of Twente Information Science
Alim Rustem Aslan, Professor at Istanbul Technical University
Dr. Shaukat Goderya, Director & Associate Professor at Astronomy Education and Researh & Tarleton State University
Muhammad Kashif Saleem, Manager Learning Technologies at Aga Khan Education Service, Islamabad
Nasir Mahmood Randhawa, DG External Relations & Legal Affairs at Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)
Dr. Mobushir Riaz Khan, Director Chairman Geo-Informatics at PMAS-ARID Agriculture University
Syed Riaz un Nabi Jafri, Postdoctoral Researcher at ITC-Netherlands