Sonmiani (space facility)
# Sonmiani (space facility)

Sonmiani flight test range is a rocket launch facility operated by Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) located at Sonmiani, Balochistan province in Pakistan. The facility is also used by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and National Defence Complex for testing solid-fueled ballistic missiles.

## History

In the 1990s, the facility was expanded and modernized to include rocket launchers; a rocket assembly and a maintenance workshop; a payload assembly area; high-speed tracking radars with a control room and telemetry station; flight communications equipment and optical cameras. It is currently spread across 200 hectares (490 acres) and located approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Karachi.

The facility has been used to host test flights of multiple missiles, including four tests of Hatf-II, two of Hatf-III, seven of Hatf-IV and five of Hatf-VI. It is also collaboratively used by NASA and SUPARCO as a launch site for sounding rockets.

