ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: Students of the Institute of Space Technology (IST) Islamabad were enthralled on Thursday while witnessing the launch of Pakistan’s first Cubesat satellite, ICUBE-1, prepared by the university’s team.

Students chanted slogans in favour of Pakistan and danced while the live launch of ICUBE-1 was being shown from Yasny Launch Base in Russia.

Students gathered in the main hall of the institute to watch the launch through a video link. After the successful launch, they went outside to celebrate and also gathered around Project Manager Khurram Khurshid to congratulate him.

Project Director Dr Qamar ul Islam, while talking to Dawn, said the ICUBE-1 has been launched in orbit 600km above the surface of the earth and was designed to take low-resolution images of the Earth.

Providing details of the satellite, he said, “ICUBE-1 has a mass of 1.12 kg and a volume of ten cubic centimetres. It is categorised as a pico-satellite and has an on-board computer using which it can be commanded from the Satellite Tracking and Control Station at IST,” he said.

Dr Islam said after successful experiment, IST had qualified for space technology. Usually, he said satellites sent in the space cost $5 to 10 million. By sending the smaller satellite, IST had proved that it could send larger ones with less risk, he added.

“Students will be able to obtain data sent from the satellite. The project idea was conceived six years ago but practical work started around three years ago. The satellite cost Rs3.5 million while an additional Rs11 million were spent on its launching,” he said.

Dr Islam said the satellite would complete its orbit in 97 minutes and its lifetime was one year. However, IST is hoping the satellite would work for three years.

Omer Kiyani, a student of seventh semester of Aerospace Engineering, told Dawn that he was hearing about the satellites launch for several years.

“I was excited about the launching and am glad it was successful. It will bring a good name to Pakistan and IST because there are only a few universities in the world which have sent their own satellites in space,” he said.

Omer Kiyani, who wants to work in the field of aviation, said because of the launching, students would be encouraged to work on such projects.

Kabir Sajjad, a student of first semester of Aerospace Engineering, said he joined the university just two weeks ago and was surprised to know the university was sending a satellite in space.

Vice Chancellor IST Engr Imran Rahman, while talking to Dawn, said it was not easy to get grants for the project (from the Higher Education Commission and Planning Commission). Otherwise, the project would have been completed long ago.

“I believe every problem brings an opportunity and we should be optimistic. Being a founding member of the university, it is an honour for me that the university has been ranked in top five engineering universities of Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Rahman said that there were a number of competent people in Pakistan who could play a vital role in the country’s development but political will was required. “Issues like energy crisis can be resolved if the government takes a decision and works on its implementation,” he said. “Japan introduced reverse technology to make vehicles and now China is also using reverse technology for development. Pakistan should also go for it because developing countries cannot afford to spend huge funds for research work,” he added.