# Paksat-1R

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1110539](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1110539)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paksat-1R)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paksat-1r

## Summary  
Paksat‑1R is a Pakistani communications satellite operated by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). It was launched on 11 August 2011 from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3B rocket and now resides in geostationary orbit delivering telecommunications services across the region.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 11 August 2011 【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Long March 3B, a Chinese orbital carrier rocket 【source】  
- **Launch site:** Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China 【source】  
- **Operator:** Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) 【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2011‑042A 【source】  
- **Satellite class:** Communications satellite (designed for telecommunications) 【source】  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage over its service area 【source】  
- **Wikidata SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 37779 【source】  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/05mqk85 【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What purpose does Paksat‑1R serve?  
A: Paksat‑1R provides telecommunications, broadcasting, and data relay services, enabling television, internet, and voice communications for Pakistan and surrounding regions.  

### Q: Who built and launched Paksat‑1R?  
A: The satellite was built for SUPARCO and launched by China using a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.  

### Q: Where is Paksat‑1R positioned in space?  
A: It operates in a geostationary orbit, remaining fixed relative to a point on Earth’s equator to ensure uninterrupted service.  

### Q: When did Paksat‑1R enter service?  
A: After its successful launch on 11 August 2011, the satellite was commissioned and began providing communications services later that year.  

### Q: How can I identify Paksat‑1R in satellite catalogs?  
A: Its COSPAR designation is 2011‑042A and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 37779.  

## Why It Matters  
Paksat‑1R represents a strategic milestone for Pakistan’s space and communications infrastructure. By securing its own geostationary satellite, SUPARCO reduced reliance on foreign satellite capacity, enhancing national security and sovereignty over critical communication channels. The satellite’s broadband, broadcasting, and data services support economic development, disaster response, and connectivity in remote areas where terrestrial networks are limited. Moreover, the collaboration with China’s Long March launch system underscores the growing partnership between the two nations in space technology, fostering technology transfer and joint expertise. As a key asset in the region’s telecommunications ecosystem, Paksat‑1R helps bridge the digital divide, enabling more reliable television broadcasting, internet access, and governmental communications across South Asia and the Middle East.

## Notable For  
- First Pakistani communications satellite launched from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center.  
- Utilizes the Long March 3B launch vehicle, one of China’s most reliable heavy‑lift rockets.  
- Operates in geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage to a wide service footprint.  
- Assigned the Satellite Catalog Number 37779, making it easily trackable in global space situational awareness systems.  
- Enhances Pakistan’s autonomous telecommunications capability, reducing dependence on leased foreign satellite capacity.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Paksat‑1R is a geostationary communications satellite built for the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) of Pakistan. It belongs to the class of artificial satellites specifically designed for telecommunications, broadcasting, and data relay.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 11 August 2011.  
- **Vehicle:** Long March 3B, a Chinese orbital carrier rocket known for delivering heavy payloads to geostationary transfer orbit.  
- **Site:** Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, China.  
- **Significant event:** The rocket launch was recorded as a notable event on the launch date and location.

### Orbital Characteristics  
- **Orbit type:** Geostationary orbit (GEO).  
- **Purpose of GEO:** Allows the satellite to remain fixed over a single longitude, providing uninterrupted service to its coverage area.  

### Operational Role  
- **Operator:** SUPARCO, Pakistan’s national space agency.  
- **Services:** Telecommunications, television broadcasting, broadband internet, and data communications for Pakistan and neighboring regions.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2011‑042A – the international identifier for space objects.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 37779 – used by tracking agencies worldwide.  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/05mqk85 – legacy identifier from the Freebase knowledge base.  

### Context and Relationships  
- **Class:** Communications satellite, a subset of artificial satellites dedicated to telecom functions.  
- **Related entities:** The Long March 3B launch vehicle, which has a substantial sitelink count (20) indicating its prominence in launch history.  

### Legacy and Impact  
Since its commissioning, Paksat‑1R has contributed to Pakistan’s self‑reliant communications infrastructure, supporting both civilian and governmental needs. Its successful deployment demonstrated effective international collaboration in space launch services and reinforced the strategic importance of geostationary satellites for national connectivity.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013