XICHANG: Pakistan successfully launched a new advanced remote sensing satellite on Thursday (today) from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, marking a hug step forward in the country’s space exploration and earth observation capabilities, officials said.
The satellite was launched around 7:38 am Pakistan time and is aimed at improving Pakistan’s ability to monitor its natural resources, infrastructure development and environmental changes with high precision.
Authorities from the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) were present at the launch site.
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The satellite is equipped with advance sensors designed to provide critical real-time data in various strategic areas. It is expected to play an important role in disaster management by giving early warnings of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes.
Beyond disaster preparedness, the remote sensing satellite supports agricultural monitoring, offers insights important to improving crop yields and food security in Pakistan.
The remote sensing satellite is set to aid sustainable development initiatives by tracking urban sprawl and infrastructure growth, particularly those linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
It will help identify geographical risks along key transportation routes.
Officials pointed out that the satellite will also contribute to monitoring environmental changes, including glacier melt, deforestation, water scarcity, and heat intensity – factors that are critical to Pakistan’s climate fighting efforts.
The launch follows Pakistan’s previous success in space technology, including the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-I (PRSS-1) launched in 2018 and the Electro-Optical Satellite EO-1 introduced earlier this year.
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SUPARCO Director General described today’s launch as a significant achievement in harnessing space technology for national development and environmental development.
The launch event was broadcast live at SUPARCO’s Karachi centre.