The Pakistan Mission Control Center (Call sign:PMCC) () is a separate command and control and separate
mission control center at the Suparco Headquarters in
Karachi,
Pakistan.
The PMCC manages and controls the satellite programme of Pakistan, and controls the nation's unmanned
space programme
A space program is an organized effort by a government or a company with a goal related to outer space.
Lists of space programs include:
* List of government space agencies
* List of private spaceflight companies
* List of human spaceflight prog ...
.
Historical review
The facility came into existence in 1990 with the technical support of
France,
Canada and the
Soviet Union.
Since 1990, Pakistan had been participating in an international and multinational humanitarian programme for satellite–aided
search and rescue
Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...
, the
International Cospas-Sarsat Programme
The International Cospas-Sarsat Programme is a satellite-aided search and rescue (SAR) initiative. It is organized as a treaty-based, nonprofit, intergovernmental, humanitarian cooperative of 45 nations and agencies (see infobox). It is dedi ...
.
In 1990, the
Government of Pakistan accorded approval for Suparco's participation in the
Cospas program as
ground segment provider and lead space station with close coordination with the Soviet Union.
Over the years, the mission control center had equipped itself with advanced technology and is capable of controlling the capable COSPAS-SARSAT satellites.
Operational activities
The PMCC is a major facility to hold the space programme activities and to control the satellite programme.
On November 10-November 12, 2009 at 0500 - 1300
UTC, Suparco successfully completed commissioning and telecommunication test of the Pakistan Mission Control Center under the officials of the COSPAS-SARSAT International Program, for the support of Search and Rescue using satellite aided tracking technology.
As of current, the PMCC is a recognized and major facility of the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program.
References
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International research institutes
Research institutes in Pakistan
1990 establishments in Pakistan
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
Science and technology in Pakistan
Canada–Pakistan relations
France–Pakistan relations
Pakistan–Soviet Union relations
Pakistan federal departments and agencies
SUPARCO facilities