Pakistan launches first home-made observation satellite

Pakistan launched its first home-made observation satellite on Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China, Pakistan's space agency said.

The PRSC-EO1 satellite will boost Pakistan's ability to monitor and manage natural resources, respond to disasters, and improve urban planning and agricultural development, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said in a statement.

SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan emphasized that this achievement demonstrates Pakistan's commitment to advancing space technology, acknowledging the work of the agency's engineers in reaching this milestone.

  

SUPARCO

The Long March-2D rocket sits on the launch pad moments before liftoff at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, Friday, January 17, 2025.

"Soaring higher and higher!" Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on social media platform X, calling the launch "a proud moment" for the nation.

The Prime Minister emphasized the satellite's practical applications, describing the achievement as "a leap forward" in Pakistan's technological progress.

This type of satellite uses electro-optical sensors to collect data and images of the Earth's surface by detecting and measuring reflected sunlight or emitted radiation.

The satellite will advance Pakistan's disaster management infrastructure, providing critical data for early warning and monitoring of natural disasters including floods, landslides, and earthquakes.

In the agricultural sector, the satellite's precision imaging capabilities will support advanced farming practices, including detailed irrigation management and crop yield predictions. Urban planners will be able to utilize the data to track infrastructure development and manage city expansion, while environmental scientists can monitor critical changes in glaciers and forest cover.

The satellite will also play a crucial role in Pakistan's resource management strategy, providing valuable data for monitoring and conserving natural resources, including strategic mineral deposits, oil reserves, and gas fields.

China's Long March-2D carrier rocket also launched on Friday two other satellites, Tianlu-1 and Blue Carbon 1, into orbit along with the PRSC EO1, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said in a statement.

A banner congratulates the successful launch of Pakistan's PRSC-EO1 satellite during a ceremony with SUPARCO Chairman Yousuf Khan (center, back) and Member SE Wing Raheem Sana Ullah (center, front) in attendance, at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, Friday, January 17, 2025.SUPARCO

Currently valued at $5 billion, the earth observation satellite market is among the fastest growing sectors within the commercial space industry, with Novaspace predicting it to exceed $8 billion by 2033.

Countries including the United States, China and India have been building their own government and private satellite constellations to map the Earth. Indian startup Pixxel this month launched the country's first privately built satellite constellation.

With input from Reuters