Pakistan set to launch advanced Remote Sensing Satellite this week
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced to launch Pakistan’s Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) on Thursday (July 31), from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) in China.
This landmark mission marks a significant stride in Pakistan’s pursuit of space technology, promising to dramatically expand Earth observation capabilities. Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging systems, the satellite will support a range of national applications — from precision agriculture and urban planning to environmental monitoring and disaster management.
Its role will be vital in predicting and mitigating the impacts of floods, earthquakes, landslides, glacier melt, and deforestation, while enabling informed decisions for resource management. The satellite will also assist in infrastructure planning and geospatial mapping under national development programmes such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan launches first home-made observation satellite
With its integration into Pakistan’s existing space fleet — including PRSS-1 (2018) and EO-1 (January 2025) — the new satellite strengthens SUPARCO’s capabilities and aligns with the goals of the National Space Policy and Vision 2047, positioning Pakistan to emerge as a forward-looking, spacefaring nation.
The launch is not just a technical milestone — it is the continuation of a transformative journey.
According to the official source, Pakistan’s modern space era was reignited in 2011 with the launch of PakSat-1R, a communication satellite developed with Chinese collaboration. That momentum carried forward with PakTES-1A and PRSS-1 in 2018, reinforcing the strategic partnership with China in advancing space science.
In 2024, PakSat-MM1 brought high-speed internet to underserved areas, while the launch of iCube Qamar, a student-built satellite from the Institute of Space Technology (IST), captured stunning images of the lunar surface, showcasing the innovation and promise of Pakistan’s young scientists on a global stage.
Most notably, in January 2025, Pakistan launched its first fully indigenous satellite, Electro-Optical Satellite EO-1, developed entirely by Pakistani engineers and scientists. Designed for agriculture, disaster monitoring, and environmental analysis, EO-1 stood as a bold symbol of Pakistan’s growing technological self-reliance.
Now, with the launch of the latest remote sensing satellite, Pakistan reaffirms its resolve to harness space technology for national progress, sustainable development, and global recognition- a proud moment in our journey from aspiration to achievement.
Reference Link:- https://www.brecorder.com/news/40374782
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
