KARACHI: The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) declared on Tuesday that Pakistan’s Multi-Mission Communication Satellite, or PAKSAT MM1, will be launched on May 30.

As part of the National Space Program 2047, the launch will take place at the XiChang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC), China, according to a statement issued by the national space agency.

With the expanding needs of the nation in the wide range of connectivity and communication in mind, Suparco and the Chinese aerospace industry collaborated to design the PAKSAT MM1, SUPARCO noted.

“This satellite project is a hallmark of technological cooperation between Peoples’ Republic of China and Pakistan,” the statement continued.

It went on to say that the satellite, which is built on cutting-edge communication technology, will be essential to the nation’s socioeconomic development.

“It will prove to be a stepping stone in the transformation of the country into Digital Pakistan,” Suparco stated.

The agency announced that media from its locations in Islamabad and Karachi will be able to watch the inaugural ceremony live.

It should be mentioned that Pakistan has launched at least six spacecraft to date, including iCube Qamar, PAKSAT 1-R, PRSS-1, BADR-A, and BADR-B.

The first pictures of the moon taken in its orbit after its ascension into space were sent earlier this month by Pakistan’s first satellite mission to the moon, iCube-Qamar.

According to IST, Qamar made history by being the first satellite from Pakistan to reach lunar orbit and finish its rotation in a full day.

The development was deemed “a great success overall” by the scientists.