SUPARCO
| خلائی و بالائے فضائی تحقیقاتی مأموریہ | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | SUPARCO |
| Formed | Committee: 1961 - Karachi Commission: 1981 - Karachi |
| Type | Space agency |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Pakistan |
| Status | Active |
| Headquarters | Islamabad-45900, Pakistan |
Chairman | Muhammad Yusuf Khan |
| Key people | |
| Primary spaceport | Sonmiani FTR |
| Owner | National Command Authority |
| Employees | Classified |
| Annual budget | Rs. 7.3951 billion (US$25.61 million) (2022–23) |
| Website | suparco |
The Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, commonly referred to as SUPARCO, is the national space agency of Pakistan.
The agency, originally established in 1961 as a committee in Karachi, became an independent commission in 1981. Its initial objective was to learn rocketry and high altitude research from the United States, which ultimately led to the development of a national satellite program. This culminated in the successful launch of Pakistan's first satellite from China in 1990. The agency was also an early participant in the rocket development program launched by the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan.
The agency leads the National Space Program (NSP) and maintains the orbital operations of its satellites with support facilities throughout the country.
SUPARCO also serves as the secretariat for Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) which was established in February 2024 under the National Command Authority to regulate all space-related activities in Pakistan.