The Pakistan Mission Control Center (Call sign:PMCC) (پاکستان مشن کنٹرول سینٹر) is a separate command and control and separate mission control center at the Suparco Headquarters in Karachi, Pakistan.^[1] The PMCC manages and controls the satellite programme of Pakistan, and controls the nation's unmanned space programme.^[2]

Historical review

The facility came into existence in 1990 with the technical support of France, Canada and the Soviet Union.^[3] Since 1990, Pakistan had been participating in an international and multinational humanitarian programme for satellite–aided search and rescue, the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme.^[3] In 1990, the Government of Pakistan accorded approval for Suparco's participation in the Cospas program as ground segment provider and lead space station with close coordination with the Soviet Union.^[3] Over the years, the mission control center had equipped itself with advanced technology and is capable of controlling the capable COSPAS-SARSAT satellites.^[3]

Operational activities

The PMCC is a major facility to hold the space programme activities and to control the satellite programme.^[2] On November 10-November 12, 2009 at 0500 - 1300 UTC, Suparco successfully completed commissioning and telecommunication test of the Pakistan Mission Control Center under the officials of the COSPAS-SARSAT International Program, for the support of Search and Rescue using satellite aided tracking technology.^[2] As of current, the PMCC is a recognized and major facility of the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program.^[3]

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