Pakistan-Ukraine Cooperation to be Taken into Space Soon

Tazeen Akhtar

Pakistan and Ukraine ,close partners in defence and defence production sectors have further initiated dialogue on cooperation in space technology. Ambassador of Ukraine H.E Vlad Lakomov , on 21 Dec 2019 visited Institute of Space Technology (IST) along with a team of experts and discussed prospects of taking the bilateral cooperation into space and satellite technology.

Upon his arrival at IST, the Vice Chancellor Major General Rehan Abdul Baqi and his team received the guests with warm welcome. A briefing was held by IST experts to apprise the visiting dignitaries about the work and activities of the Institute.

V.C Rehan Abdul Baqi expressed his keenness to build and enhance cooperation with Ukraine in space technology as Ukraine carry a history of progress in this sector during Soviet regime and after the independence from USSR.

Ambassador Vlad Lakomov offered that Ukraine is ready to share its experiences and expertise to Pakistan. He appreciated Pakistani endeavors into space so far. He expressed hope that both countries can achieve more success by working together for mutual benefit.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has so far relied upon China and Russia for its space programs and for the launch of its Paksat Satellites. Ukraine can become a third partner in this field.

Background of Ukraine Space Tech;

During 1991-2007, a total of 97 launches of Ukrainian LV were conducted, including, but not limited to launches on the Sea Launch mobile launch pad. In 2006 Ukrainian launch vehicles accounted for 12% of all launches into space in the world.

Zenit-3SLB

Ukrainian companies Yuzhnoye Design Office and Yuzhmash have engineered and produced seven types of launch vehicles. Adding strapon boosters to launch vehicles may expand the family of Mayak, which is the latest launch vehicle developed.

The Svityaz, Oril and Sura aerospace rocket complexes (ASRC) is intended for launching of various spacecraft (SC) into circular, elliptic and high-altitude circular, including the geostationary (GSO), orbits. Svityaz ASC represents a unique system that allows launch of spacecraft without utilization of complicated ground infrastructure. The Svityaz is launched directly from a modified version of An-225 Mriya, a Ukrainian airplane and airplane carrier that is currently the largest one in the world. Modified Mriya that will be used to carry Svityaz has been designated a code of An-225-100.

The aircraft is equipped with special devices to secure the LV above the fuselage. The operators and on board equipment are located in the pressure-tight cabins. The Svityaz LV is being created on the basis of units, aggregates and systems of Zenit LV. It consists of three stages of non-toxic propellants — liquid oxygen and kerosene. The launch vehicle is injected into the geostationary orbit using a solid-propellant apogee stage.

Institute of Space Technology Islamabad Pakistan

IST was established in 2002 as an educational institution that would impart specialized education in space and related science to bring our nation at par with the international community. Thus, the Institute of Space Technology came into existence in September 2002 offering undergraduate degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Communication Systems Engineering as its core disciplines.