Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

What Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission does

SUPARCO (Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) is Pakistan's national space agency, established in 1961 and headquartered in Islamabad with regional offices in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, and Gilgit. The organization designs, develops, and operates an indigenous satellite fleet comprising two communication satellites (PakSAT-1R at 38° East and PakSAT-MM1) and an Earth observation constellation including PRSS-1 (0.98m panchromatic / 2.89m multispectral resolution), PakTES-1A, EO-1/2/3, SAR-1 (synthetic aperture radar), and HS-1 (hyperspectral). The organization is also developing a lunar exploration program including the iCube-Qamar orbiter (launched May 2024) and an indigenous rover for China's Chang'E 8 mission (2028), and is pursuing human spaceflight through a partnership with China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) for astronaut training and Tiangong missions.

The business model combines sovereign-mandated government services with diversified commercial revenue streams. Primary revenue-generating activities include subscription-based commercial satellite capacity lease (C, Ku, Ka, and L/SBAS bands across South and Central Asia, Middle East, East Africa), one-time satellite imagery licensing (panchromatic, multispectral, pansharpened, and bundle products), professional training services (9 annual courses at PKR 25,000 / US$300 per participant for ISNET member states), hardware sales of microwave waveguide products for LTE/5G and RADAR applications, and ICT solutions for government clients. GTM is sales-led through a Commercial Directorate handling imagery orders via email and phone, supported by dedicated web portals (PRSS-1 Portal, DisasterWatch, space4climate) and direct engagement with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) for disaster response, government ministries for socio-economic planning, and international organizations including UN-SPIDER, UNOOSA, APSCO, and ISNET (17 member states).

Name

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

Legal name

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

Website

https://suparco.gov.pk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite and Space Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927), Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Satellite Telecommunications (517410), Space Research and Technology (92711)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Emergency Response & Search-and-Rescue (SAR) (BPAGAAAA)

Keywords

• Satellite communication services
• Earth observation satellites
• Remote sensing imagery
• Disaster management systems
• Geographic information systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamabad

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Satellite Imagery Sales: Sale of satellite imagery products including Panchromatic (0.98m), Multispectral (2.89m), Pansharpened, and Bundle products from PRSS-1 and other satellites to government and commercial customers.
2. Commercial Satellite Capacity Lease: Commercial satellite capacity lease and managed services through PakSAT-1R and PakSAT-MM1 providing TV broadcast, internet, data communication services.
3. Training Services: Short training courses on Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS Technologies offered to national agencies and ISNET countries, with course fees of PKR 25,000 for local and US $300 for foreign participants.
4. Microwave Products: Sale of waveguide products developed for satellite applications with applications in ground communication systems such as cellular networks (LTE, 5G), RADAR and other high power microwave systems.
5. ICT Solutions: Development and implementation of ICT solutions including Tele Education, Enterprise Application Suite, Attendance Management System, File Tracking System, and e-Minute Sheet for government and organizational clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SUPARCO is Pakistan's national space agency, established in 1961 to conduct research, development, and applications in space science and technology. It designs, builds, and operates communication and Earth observation satellites (including PakSAT-1R, PakSAT-MM1, PRSS-1, EO-1/2/3, SAR-1, and HS-1), and delivers satellite-based services such as high-resolution imagery, satellite communication capacity, disaster management support, GIS applications, and space weather monitoring to government, commercial, and international customers.

Product overview

SUPARCO operates a comprehensive satellite and space technology portfolio consisting of communication satellites (PakSAT-MM1, PakSAT-1R), Earth observation satellites (PRSS-1, PakTES-1A, PRSC-EOS series, EO-1/2/3, SAR-1, HS-1), and lunar missions (iCube-Qamar, Lunar Rover Program). The ground segment includes satellite data products, disaster management services via DisasterWatch portal, GIS solutions, and environmental monitoring services. Additional offerings encompass space weather monitoring, search and rescue (COSPAS-SARSAT), aerial remote sensing, ICT solutions, and microwave products. The organization also runs the Astronaut Program for human spaceflight and provides specialized applications in agriculture, forestry, water resources, urban planning, cryosphere modeling, coastal resources, and geology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Remote Sensing Data Products Satellite imagery products derived from multiple SUPARCO and partner satellites offering high spatial resolution ranging from 0.5m to 6m in panchromatic and multispectral bands for land mapping, agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring applications for government and commercial customers.
• Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) Low Earth Orbit sun-synchronous remote sensing satellite providing high-resolution Earth observation imagery (0.98m panchromatic, 2.89m multispectral) with 4-day global revisit capability, supporting land mapping, agriculture, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management for government and commercial users.
• PakSAT-1R Communication Satellite High-power geostationary communication satellite at 38° East with C and Ku Band transponders providing TV broadcasting, internet, and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa, and the Far East, with a 15-year operational life.
• PakSAT-MM1 Multi-Mission Communication Satellite Advanced high-power multi-mission communication satellite providing services in C, Ku, and Ka bands plus SBAS in L band for broadband, TV broadcasting, mobile back-hauling, and VSAT connectivity to support Digital Pakistan transformation.
• Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite (PakTES-1A) Indigenously developed 300kg class small remote sensing satellite with a 3-year design life at 600 km altitude in sun-synchronous orbit, demonstrating indigenous satellite design and remote sensing capabilities.
• SAR-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite providing all-weather, day-night high-resolution imagery for urban planning, agriculture, disaster management, and environmental protection applications.
• HS-1 Hyperspectral Satellite Pakistan's first hyperspectral satellite capturing ultra-precise imagery across hundreds of spectral bands for detailed analysis of land, vegetation, water, and urban areas in precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.
• PRSC-EOS Optical Remote Sensing Satellite Program Optical remote sensing application satellite program comprising 3 optical remote sensing satellites for land mapping, agriculture, urban and rural planning, and environmental monitoring.
• Disaster Management Services Comprehensive disaster management services using satellite remote sensing and GIS for monitoring, forecasting, early warning, damage assessment, and rehabilitation support for earthquakes, floods, landslides, cyclones, and droughts, delivered to NDMA and provincial disaster management authorities.
• DisasterWatch Portal Near real-time web portal providing space-based disaster monitoring information to NDMA and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities during emergencies and routine operations.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) Services GIS services for monitoring and modeling earth features including information management systems, spatial decision support, vehicle tracking, location-based services, and emergency response systems for government and organizational clients.
• Agriculture Remote Sensing Services Satellite remote sensing applications for crop area estimation, yield forecasting, drought monitoring, waterlogging and salinity monitoring, crop health monitoring, and precision agriculture delivered to agricultural ministries and agencies.
• Forestry Remote Sensing Services Forest monitoring using satellite remote sensing for forest cover assessment, carbon stock assessment, afforestation and deforestation monitoring, forest health and fire monitoring, and biodiversity monitoring for environmental agencies.
• Environment Monitoring Services Space-based environmental monitoring covering air quality, water quality, fog and aerosol monitoring, coastal zone ecosystem assessment, marine pollution, and land degradation using satellite data and environmental laboratories.
• Water Resources Management Services

Quantifiable outcome

• PakSAT-MM1 provides broadband, TV broadcasting, mobile back-hauling, and VSAT connectivity supporting Digital Pakistan transformation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• China National Space Administration (CNSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2028SUPARCO's indigenous lunar rover (35kg) will join China's Chang'E 8 mission in 2028 as part of International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project. Rover will land at lunar south pole to explore surface, conduct scientific research and test technologies for sustainable human presence.
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2026UNOOSA, in cooperation with Government of Pakistan, co-organizes the International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for EW4All, Climate Actions and Disaster Risk Assessment from 27-31 Oct 2026 in Islamabad. The conference advances implementation of Sendai Framework, Paris Climate Agreement, and SDGs with focus on SDG 13.
• UN-SPIDERcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2026UN-SPIDER (United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) co-organizes the 2026 international conference. SUPARCO hosts UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office (Pak-RSO) in Pakistan since 2010.
• Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2026APSCO co-organizes the 2026 international conference. Pakistan is a founding member of APSCO. SUPARCO participates in APSCO technical projects and capacity building programs, including collaborative forest carbon stock assessment and mangrove monitoring studies.
• Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2026ISNET co-organizes the 2026 conference. SUPARCO hosts ISNET secretariat; Chairman SUPARCO is ex-officio President of ISNET. ISNET has 17 member states and organizes international conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses.
• China Manned Space Agency (CMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2025Historic cooperation agreement for Pakistan's first astronaut training and mission to China Space Station (Tiangong). Two Pakistani astronauts will train at Astronaut Center of China; one selected as scientific payload specialist for CSS mission. Astronaut selection to be completed by 2026.
• International Charter Space and Major DisasterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013SUPARCO is member of International Charter Space and Major Disasters. Charter is activated whenever NDMA declares any disaster as major calamity, with all space agencies providing free data to SUPARCO for rescue and relief operations.
• Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)minorOthers · 1 January 2010SUPARCO has been participating in APRSAF activities since 2010. Member of Joint Project Team (JPT) of Sentinel Asia since 2012. Participates in education and awareness activities including Poster Competition, Water Rocket Competition, Cansat Competition.
• International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)minorOthers · 1 January 1997SUPARCO is Associate Member of ISPRS since 1997. ISPRS is non-governmental organization aimed at developing international cooperation for advancement of photogrammetry and satellite remote sensing.
• International Astronautical Federation (IAF)minorOthers · 1 January 1985Pakistan is member of IAF since 1985. IAF organizes International Astronautical Congress (IAC) annually where scientists and engineers share knowledge and latest developments for strengthening cooperation.
• Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)minorOthers · 1 January 1963SUPARCO has been member of COSPAR as National Scientific Institution since 1963. Membership helps stay abreast of latest space technologies and developments. Engineers/scientists regularly participate in biennial sessions presenting national reports and technical papers.
• United Nations - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP)minorOthers · 1 January 1947Pakistan is member of Inter-governmental Consultative Committee (ICC) of UNESCAP since 1947. SUPARCO works with UNESCAP for exchange of scientific and technical information, training, consultancy, collaborative studies and joint organization of conferences.
• Pakistan - State Party to 5 UN Space TreatiescoreOthersPakistan is State Party to all five United Nations treaties on outer space: Outer Space Treaty (1967), Rescue Agreement (1968), Liability Convention (1972), Registration Convention (1976), Moon Agreement (1979). SUPARCO facilitates international cooperation in peaceful uses of space.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Iranian Space Agency (ISA): Iran's national space agency with comparable EO (Sina, Pars), communication satellite ambitions, and launch vehicle development program. Operates in similar regulatory and geopolitical context with mixed civilian-military positioning.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's national space agency, founded 1969. Most directly comparable to SUPARCO as a South Asian government space agency operating full-stack satellite manufacturing, launch, communication (INSAT), EO (CARTOSAT), and interplanetary missions with comparable mandate and customer base.
• Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA): Egypt's national space agency with NARSSCube satellite programs, EO constellation, and similar government-application focus on agriculture, environment, and urban planning aligned with SUPARCO's primary use cases.
• Turkish Space Agency (TUA): Turkey's national space agency established 2018. Comparable as an emerging national space agency with EO programs (Göktürk series) and military-civil dual-use orientation similar to SUPARCO's EO constellation focus.
• UAE Space Agency: UAE's national space agency established 2014. Comparable as a relatively newer government space agency with focus on EO satellites (KhalifaSat, MBZ-SAT) and strategic partnerships, serving regional disaster response and development planning customers.

Broad incumbents

• SpaceX: Provides commercial launch services (Falcon 9, Starship) that SUPARCO relies on for satellite deployment. While not a government space agency, SpaceX's Starlink constellation and launch capacity define the commercial benchmarks SUPARCO must measure against.
• Maxar Technologies: Commercial EO satellite operator (WorldView, GeoEye) with 30cm-class imagery resolution. Comparable as a satellite imagery provider competing with SUPARCO's PRSS-1 for defense, government, and commercial mapping customers globally.
• Airbus Defence and Space: Major satellite manufacturer and operator providing EO (SPOT, Pleiades, TerraSAR-X) and communication satellite services. Comparable as a large incumbent with full-stack space capabilities and as a potential supplier/partner for SUPARCO's satellite programs.

Others

• Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO): Intergovernmental space cooperation body of which Pakistan/SUPARCO is a founding member. Comparable as a peer multilateral organization through which SUPARCO collaborates on joint satellite projects and capacity building, rather than as a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Planet Labs: Commercial EO constellation operator with daily revisit imagery. Relevant as a technology and pricing benchmark that SUPARCO's planned EO-2/3 and PRSC-EOS satellites must compete against for government and commercial customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/suparcoofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/suparco.pk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pakistan-space-and-upper-atmosphere-research-comission-suparco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission