ISRO vs SUPARCO

                                           ISRO vs SUPARCO

SUPARCO: Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation 

Today, the whole world is aware of the significant progress made by ISRO, from the Mars Mission to the Chandrayaan Mission and the Aditya L-1 Mission, as well as the successful launch of numerous satellites. Through all these missions, ISRO has demonstrated its technology to the whole world.

Two countries gained independence simultaneously, but one established its space agency 8 years before the other.

 We are talking about India and Pakistan, both countries gained independence together in 1947. Pakistan established a space agency (SUPARCO) in 1961 and launched its first sounding rocket (Rehbar-1) on 7 July 1962 with the help of China.

Rehbar-1

The biggest question was, where was India at that time?

ISRO was preparing to create its own identity and join the ongoing space race.
India established its first space agency(ISRO) on 15 August 1969. It launched its first satellite (Aryabhatta-1) in 1975 with the help of the Soviet Union.

Formerly known as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), ISRO was established in 1962 by the Government of India on the recommendation of scientist Vikram Sarabhai. It was renamed to ISRO in 1969.

BY building SLV in 1979, India became the 7th country to have a Launch vehicle.

The SLV's first launch in 1979 carried a Rohini technology payload but could not inject the satellite into its desired orbit. It was followed by a successful launch in 1980 carrying a Rohini Series-I satellite, making India the seventh country to reach Earth's orbit after the USSR, the US, France, the UK, China, and Japan.

Now let's discuss Pakistan (SUPARCO) and its current status :

Even today, Pakistan does not have its own launch vehicles. SUPARCO's first satellite was Badr-1 (also known as Badr-A), launched on July 16, 1990, with the help of China. After that, it attempted to launch Badr-B with Russia, but in 1990, Russia refused. Pak SAT-1E (1996), Pak SAT-1R (2011), Pak SAT-MM1(2018), Pak SAT-MM1R(2024) . These are some satellites launched by SUPARCO with the help of China.

Why did SUPARCO fail?

The decline of SUPARCO can be traced to several interconnected factors that have hindered its growth and development over the years:

1. Inadequate Funding: One of the primary reasons for SUPARCO’s decline has been chronic underfunding. With a budget of only $26 million in 2023, the agency struggles to develop advanced technologies or undertake ambitious projects, especially when compared to the significantly larger budgets of other space agencies like ISRO in India.

2. Political Instability and Shifting Priorities: Historical political turmoil, including wars in 1965 and 1971 and the military coup in 1977 led by General Zia-ul-Haq, severely disrupted the agency's progress. Following Zia’s regime, there were reports of project terminations due to a lack of funding and shifting national priorities, particularly an increased focus on the nuclear program.

3. Military Control and Mismanagement: The dominance of the Pakistan Army in SUPARCO’s leadership has often led to the appointment of military personnel lacking scientific expertise, such as Major General Raza Hussain in 2001. Such appointments have been criticized for contributing to poor management and a lack of strategic direction.

4. International Sanctions: The imposition of sanctions by the U.S. in 1991 and again in 1998, following Pakistan’s nuclear tests, significantly restricted SUPARCO’s access to essential technology and international collaboration. This limitation has hindered its ability to launch satellites and develop necessary infrastructure.

5. Over-Reliance on China: In response to its struggles, Pakistan has increasingly turned to China for assistance with its space program, including satellite launches and technology. However, this reliance has restricted local development and innovation, leading to setbacks such as the inability to secure orbital slots due to delays in launching.

6. Lack of Scientific Culture and Vision: Unlike ISRO, which has fostered a strong scientific ecosystem, SUPARCO has suffered from a lack of political vision, genuine interest, and a culture of scientific innovation. This stagnation has prevented the agency from building upon its early achievements, such as being the third Asian agency to launch a sounding rocket in the 1960s.

7. Coordination Failures: SUPARCO has experienced difficulties in effectively coordinating with local governments and other institutions, which have further impeded its projects and collaborative efforts. 

These factors collectively contribute to the challenges faced by SUPARCO, highlighting the complex interplay between funding, political influences, and organizational management.

This article does not mention ISRO's budget, achievements, or future plans. The next article will focus on ISRO's accomplishments. If you enjoy the article, please share your suggestions in the comments.

From Bicycle to Mars: ISRO's Journey