Islamabad: Pakistan successfully launched its first locally made observation satellite, PRSC-EO1, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
The satellite, equipped with electro-optical sensors, will enhance Pakistan’s capacity to monitor natural resources, respond to disasters, and support urban planning and agricultural development. By detecting and measuring reflected sunlight or emitted radiation, PRSC-EO1 will provide critical data for managing the country’s resources more effectively.
The launch was carried out alongside China’s Long March-2D carrier rocket, which also deployed two other satellites Tianlu-1 and Blue Carbon 1 into orbit, as announced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the milestone, emphasizing the country’s growing expertise in space science and technology, which was spearheaded by SUPARCO.
The global earth observation satellite market, valued at $5 billion, is one of the fastest-growing segments of the commercial space industry. It is projected to surpass $8 billion by 2033, according to Novaspace. Pakistan joins a growing list of countries, including the United States, China, and India, in building satellite constellations to map the Earth’s surface.
