Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite System - PRSSS News & Update

[Arsalan]

It have been announced that Pakistan is to launch first indigenous Remote Sensing Satellite System (RSSS) with in 2011.
there have been certain speculation about the capabilities of the system. i have been studying the project since NCA approved Space Program 2040 a few months back. have studied the first PRSSS and here are a few fact that i have come up with:

Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite - PRSS
First to understand the concept of remote sensing satellite, remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object.

Pakistan plan to launch its first indigenous RSSS in 2011. After the success of BADR series of experimental satellites, BADAR 1 and 2, Pakistan now plans to launch high resolution remote sensing satellite system (RSSS) for satellite imagery. The BADR family of satellite was all Low Earth Observational satellites that can take low resolution low quality images of the earth. BADR-II carried Earth Imaging Payload on experimental basis which was a success. The primary use was experimental base, it provided the scientists with necessary know how to develop space satellites. Moreover, they are also useful to take images of earth with lesser resolution that can be used to monitor crop areas, forest area, flood damage etc.

Going forward with the Space Program 2040, the two first targets are:

1- Launch of High Resolution Optical imagery satellite.(Remote Sensing Satellite System/RSSS)
2- Launch of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellites.

Remote Sensing Satellite System:
The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) or RSSS is being developed as a dual purpose Earth observational and optical satellite which is scheduled to launch by the end year of 2011 for the replacement of BADR-II satellite. The satellite is being manufacture indigenously in Lahore SUPARCO center. The satellite will be equipped with very high resolution radio meter and possibly a SAR.(Synthetic Aperture Radar)

RSSS is planned to be a progressive and sustainable program. Initially, SUPARCO plans to launch an optical satellite with payload of 2.5 meter PAN in 700 km sun-synchronous orbit by the end of year 2011.
For reference 2.5m GSD image will look like:

The RSSS will be significant as it will be a dual purpose satellite. Will be able to take High Resolution images of earth that will be used for military as well as civilian use.
The High Resolution Images can be used for:
Earth Observation:
Annual crop estimation so that import or exports can be planned accordingly.
Detection of mineral resources.
Detection of underground water and mineral resources for better utilization.
Snow melting for better regulation of water at water reservoirs, avoiding floods.
Forest monitoring.
Flood control and risk area management
Urban planning
Weather Prediction
Oceanography

From military point of view, it will help:
Border area mapping.
Mapping of possible battle fields for better strategic placement of forces.
Detection of nuclear fall out.
Detection of key enemy installation.
Limited Navigation system

An important thing to note here is that the PRSS will also be equipped with a SAR. This will provide Pakistan with essential know how of operating high tech space satellites and will pave way for future space expeditions.

(What we need to understand is that the navigation facilities provided with this will be limited and not something like GPS. (US GPS system consists of around 32 Satellites covering all of the world). Also note that the Satellite is planned to equipped to take 2.5m GSD images(reference above). There are companies available that sell satellite images of up to 0.5m GSD commercially. So don’t expect the first Pakistani effort to be something like a James Bond Movie. However a fact that might make you feel better is that the Indian RSS have a GSD of about 2.5m as well)

Nonetheless, it will still give very valuable navigation facilities and images that cannot be sanctioned and it is highly likely that in case of war, the international community wont be giving us any help. Here the indigenous RSSS will come into play. The most important thing is that the successful development of the satellite will be followed by a series of optical and SAR satellites in future.

Note:
the article has been extracted and compiled from multiple sources available on internet and have been verified from a SUPARCO engineer - ARSALAN ASLAM

 

[VCheng]

This is an important step forward in developing indigenously engineered abilities. I am sure that, with time, the capabilities will be improved to be competitive with the best anywhere.

 

[IND151]

is it like GLONASS?

 

[Arsalan]

here is an interesting read from SUPARCO official website:

Prototype Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS)
SUPARCO developed a Prototype Remote Sensing Satellite in 2007 as a part of skill development programme. It is an indigenous effort in the field of satellite engineering aimed at enhancing the know-how and capacity building of its scientists and engineers. Facilities developed/upgraded were utilized to test and evaluate the satellite responses in various environments such as HELMHOLTZ Coil, Clean Room, Anechoic Chamber and Light Controlled Environment, Satellite Platform Control Unit and Satellite Mission Control Room.

The Prototype satellite is the evaluation version of FM Satellite, in which Satellite Control, Navigation, Imaging, Communication and Power Management have been completely implemented.

The PRSS is able to acquire 2.5m GSD of satellite images. The PRSS Satellite is controlled through the OBC which can handle Telecommand and Telemetry through Ground Segment. All the subsystems of the Satellite are interconnected through CAN-2.0 Bus. The Power Capacity of PRSS is 600W with state of the art Power Management system which is used to perform Solar Power Distribution, Battery Power Distribution, Fast Take Over and Battery Charging Module and Subsystem Power Distribution through specific Power Control Unit which will manage the power according to specific requirements. In Satellite Navigation and Control system, PRSS is fully equipped with sophisticated Sensors and Actuators. The Satellite Navigation system comprises 3-Axis rate Gyros, Magnetometers, Accelerometers, Digital sun Sensor and Star tracking Sensors in order to provide accurate attitude and orbital determination. Magnetotorquer Rods, Thruster and Reaction wheels are used for controlling satellite attitude. The imaging Payload System is equipped with High resolution CCD sensor which is used in IKONOS, QUICKBIRD satellite for imaging with high speed Data Acquisition and Transmission to Ground Segment. The protocol implementation for communication of PRSS to Satellite Ground Segment is fully CCSDS complaint which can easily be interfaced with any standard Ground based equipments.

The prototype satellite has been integrated and tested under various conditions and through various testing tools in order to evaluate its performance and reliability.

Development Of PRSS Subsystems
On-Board Data Handling System
The On-Board Computer System of PRSS Prototype satellite on 386 Ex Processor based and hardware communication on CAN 2.0 bus. PIC Controllers have been used to establish sub-system communication with On Board Computer (OBC).OBC has been mounted and harnessed with other subsystems on satellite structure. Ground station software functionality with hardwired link has been successfully established and tested along with Telemetry acquisition and Telecommand generation.

The OBC is fully equipped with redundant logic circuits which can handle any kind of error occurring in space.

RF Transmitter / Receiver
Along with digital expertise, PRSS team is also mature in RF areas. The PRSS Prototype is equipped with S-Band transmitter, supporting Data rate of 150 Mbps with direct carrier QPSK modulation scheme. Integration and testing of different transmitter modules was performed successfully. S-Band Telemetry Transmitter and Telecommand Receiver has been mounted on satellite.

Reaction Wheel and Propellant Tank
The reaction wheel mounted on the PRSS is used to perform actuation for compensation of orbital displacement in SPACE environment. The reaction wheel has been designed according to theoretical calculation of satellite environment. The pressure vessel design is essential because the propellant used for the thrusters needs to be stored in some storage device, the pressure vessel serves this purpose.

The storage tank was developed by using ASME Section VIII standards (the standards for pressure vessel). The pressure vessel is designed to store 30kg of propellant at high pressure without failure, with mass not more that of 10Kg.

Satellite Electrical Power System
PRSS Prototype Model is equipped with 600 watts Power System which has been developed and integrated with other subsystems. The power requirements of satellite Prototype comprises Solar panels of 32V and 11A, Battery Pack of 24V and 10A, fully regulated bus of 28V, Battery Discharge Regulators, Battery Charger (Fast and Trickle), Power Management and Control Unit. Separate Power distribution modules have been designed for individual subsystems with the provision of voltage and current monitoring.

Imaging Payload System
Functional testing of Imaging Payload of PRSS has been successfully completed. The Features of the Imaging Payload System are: KLI14403 Tri-linear CCD Sensors are used for imaging which have 3-Band sensor arrays with Resolution of 14400 pixels in line. High rate pixel output has been interfaced with 10MHz, 3-Parallel High Speed ADC with 12 Bit Resolution at 10MHz rate, Imaging Payload Controller on DM642 Media Processor Based Design for Managing System Tasks, Ethernet Based Image Data Transmission with CCSDS format at 100Mbps, UART Based IPC interface with CAN Controller, Telescope with 20m focusing for testing and evaluation of overall performance of sensor.

The Ground Segment Software has been developed for the acquisition of image data from satellite payload controller over Ethernet interface. It acquires and saves image data with time stamping and displays sub-sampled/low resolution image in the GUI. An Imaging Platform is designed to acquire the simulated earth images. Since the PRSS MSS sensor is push broom sensor therefore the moving platform is developed in order to test sensor and overall IPS electronics performance. This system is placed on PRSS Prototype Structure and its harnessing functional testing/debugging has been completed. Its software and hardware performance with power consumption log is measured and scrutinized with calculated system response which has successfully fulfilled all such requirement.

please note that it is reported that the Prototype was a great success and the first operational RSSS will be based on this prototype. the working gave the scientist the essential know how of satellite and sub system manufacturing and will all be help full in future RSSS projects!

regards!

 

[VCheng]

is it like GLONASS?

Short answer: NO.

 

[Kompromat]

Arsalan , the SAR sat would give us some serious military capabilities , any ideas on how this or the comm sat could improve our UAV ops ?

 

[Arsalan]

is it like GLONASS?

not really, it is more like the US GPS technology. however, the GPS is formed with around 32 satellites covering all the earth all the time. here since we have single satellite start with so it will provide limited navigation facilities. however, this will be enough to cover whole country.

 

[Arsalan]

Arsalan , the SAR sat would give us some serious military capabilities , any ideas on how this or the comm sat could improve our UAV ops ?

to use the satellite navigation and/or command a complete network of satellites is required so that they can give a 24/7 coverage of any required area. this is something that we will lack for sometime. Pakistan plan to launch the RSSS in 2011. it is reported that it will be dual purpose satellite and will have a SAR payload.
however, as far as i have figured out, this SAR payload will be sent on experimental basis. the results will help pave way for future projects that include launching of indigenous SAR satellites as i have mentioned on first post on this thread.

the plan is quite obvious, we launched experimental earth imagery payload on BADR-II and now we are able to send operational high resolution payload on board the RSSS. similarly, we will be sending an experimental SAR with the RSSS and once successful, will launch more SAR satellites as planned.

 

[untitled]

not really, it is more like the US GPS technology. however, the GPS is formed with around 32 satellites covering all the earth all the time. here since we have single satellite start with so it will provide limited navigation facilities. however, this will be enough to cover whole country.

So we are experimenting with our own GPS system ?

 

[Sinnerman108]

So we are experimenting with our own GPS system ?

NO WE ARE NOT !

Remote sensing data is not dependent on the fact that we have a satellite of our own,
It is actually not feasible to send out a satellite just for this purpose, It is makes more sense to buy the imagery from third part commercial
parties, and use your own software to get data out of it.

I am almost very very sure, that the government of Pakistan is wasting money if it is launching satellite ONLY for this purpose,
The maximum use of remote sensing data is in agriculture, yield prediction, water reservoir estimations etc etc.
But this part of our government is not prepared to start absorbing and using technology.

My hunch is that PA had a good usage model for this project, and thus the satellite was launched.

 

[VCheng]

GPS signals need a minimum of two satellites for two dimensional location, and three for a proper 3d lock.

One satellite, on its own, cannot provide precise location information.

 

[The Deterrent]

I really don't think that the RSSS is going to provide us with "good" imaging for military use...it would be better in other purposes...

 

[azfar]

any info about its coverage?

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

what will be its resolution

 

[VCheng]

what will be its resolution

2.5 meters.