Comparison-between-ISRO-and-SUPARCO-Pakistan-Space-Agency

Most of the people know about ISRO, The Indian Space Research Organization, but a lot of people are not aware of SUPARCO ( Space and Upper Research Commission), which is Pakistan's Space Agency. In this article, we will compare ISRO and SUPARCO stating some important facts pertaining to both the space agencies.

Comparison between ISRO and SUPARCO ( Pakistan's Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission)

It is perhaps not known to a lot of people that SUPARCO was established 8 years before ISRO. SUPARCO was established on 16th September, 1961 & ISRO was established on 15th August, 1969. Dr Abdus Salam was the first Administrator & Director of SUPARCO while Dr Vikram Sarabhai played a key role in the formation of ISRO.

When we talk about ISRO, it is a well-known fact that ISRO has achieved a lot. That brings us to a very significant point i.e. what has been the role and achievement of SUPARCO.

In its initial days, SUPARCO got enough support from the Chinese Space Agency, both financially & technically. So, SUPARCO had enough funds when it came into existence. On the other hand, ISRO had to face severe financial constraints during its early days. A lot of people will be perhaps shocked to know, that ISRO had to transport parts of its first satellite " ARYABHATA" from one place to another by means of bullock carts and cycles. It is crystal clear that ISRO faced plenty of challenges during its early days. If we compare the present scenario, we will come to know that ISRO is financially quite sound at present although it needs more funds, the reason being it has lined up some big projects. In fact, The Government of India has allocated Rs 13, 479 Crore for ISRO for the next financial year.

Pakistan launched its first Rocket " REHBAR - 1", on 7th June, 1962 with the help of NASA. In fact, this achievement made Pakistan the 3rd country in Asia and 10th country, all over the world to have achieved this feat. So to a great degree, it enhanced the reputation of SUPARCO and started getting attention globally.

India launched its first satellite "ARYABHATA" on 19th April, 1975 with the help from Soviet Union. India didn't have its own satellite vehicle then. ISRO made it's launching vehicle in 1979 at Sriharikota. On 18th July, 1980, ISRO launched its second satellite " ROHINI" from this place. This achievement made India, the 7th country in the world that launched its own Rocket from its own satellite vehicle. Till this time, SUPARCO didn't have its own launching vehicle.

Pakistan has launched only 5 satellites so far. ISRO has launched 239 satellites which includes 41 Communication Satellites, 11 Remote Sensing Satellites, 7 Navigation Satellites, 8 Military Satellites, and 7 GPS Satellites. On the other hand, Pakistan has not sent a single GPS satellite till date.

On 15th February, 2017, ISRO successfully launched 104 Satellites on a single Rocket. Out of these 104 Satellites, 3 belonged to India, and the rest of the Satellites belonged to U.S.A, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Israel, U.A.E, Germany, and Netherlands. This is a world record and one major achievement of ISRO. On 27th March, 2019, ISRO & DRDO with their joint collaboration launched "MISSION SHAKTI". On this day, India tested an Anti-Satellite Weapon & exhibited its capacity to intercept an Intercontinental ballistic missile.

India also launched the Mangal mission. The Mars Orbiter called Mangalyaan on 5th November, 2013. It is noteworthy, that this was India's first Interplanetary mission. It made India the first Nation to reach Martian orbit in its maiden attempt. This can be termed as a major mission that brought a lot of laurels to the country. The World realized the capacity of ISRO and showered with a lot of accolades on India after achieving this feat. Not only this India launched Chandrayaan -1, on 22nd October, 2008, which operated till August 2009. It was India's first lunar probe under the Chandrayan program. India has also launched Chandrayaan -2 spacecraft on 22nd July, 2019. It was a very complex mission. This mission was 98% successful. It basically consists of an Orbiter, Lander & a Rover to explore the unexplored South Pole of the Moon. Although the communication from the lander to the ground station was lost subsequently.

The Science & Technology Minister of Pakistan had taken a jibe at Chandrayaan - 2 mission, but the fact of the matter is for SUPARCO, it's almost impossible to carry out such a mission at present.

Future Plans of SUPARCO & ISRO

SUPARCO is planning to make its own Satellite Vehicle by the year, 2040. ISRO's next mission is "GAGANYAAN ". Under this mission, ISRO will send three astronauts to space. ISRO also has few more missions in the pipeline like Chandrayan 3, sending a mission to Venus & Aditya L - 1 to carry out research on Sun as well as to make its own Space Station.

Conclusion

Early on SUPARCO looked formidable and it had an edge over ISRO in a lot of ways. Gradually with the passage of time, ISRO made its own infrastructure and started launching satellites and successful space missions. At present, ISRO is way ahead of SUPARCO. SUPARCO is lagging behind when compared to ISRO. SUPARCO is yet to be recognized as a major force in space technology & exploration. It lacks the necessary technical know-how as well as advanced equipment to carry out the kind of missions, ISRO has carried out.

This article is a comprehensive post that must have given the readers, an insight into ISRO and SUPARCO.