Pakistan’s newly launched remote sensing satellite has become fully operational after its successful deployment last month from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has announced.
“The satellite has established stable contact with ground stations and begun capturing and transmitting high-resolution imagery, greatly enhancing data availability and reliability for various national sectors,” Suparco said in a statement.
According to the agency, the advanced satellite will revolutionise urban planning, infrastructure development, and regional monitoring by providing high-quality imaging to track urban expansion and growth. It will also support disaster management through early warnings and rapid response to floods, landslides, and earthquakes, in addition to monitoring glacier recession, deforestation, and climate change indicators. The satellite, Pakistan’s second after PRSS-1, will further improve agricultural productivity by enabling precision farming, mapping crop patterns, and managing water resources more efficiently—boosting the country’s food security.
Officials said the system will also have a strategic role in supporting national projects, including the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), by mapping transportation networks, assessing geohazard risks, and guiding efficient resource allocation. “These capabilities will not only improve decision-making across multiple sectors but also promote sustainable socio-economic development and strengthen Pakistan’s technological autonomy,” Suparco noted.
The development places Pakistan alongside a growing number of countries in the region enhancing their space programs. India, for example, operates a fleet of advanced Earth observation satellites under its Cartosat and Resourcesat series, which support agriculture, disaster response, and military reconnaissance. China has built one of the world’s most extensive satellite constellations, providing services ranging from remote sensing to navigation and communications, while also assisting partner countries like Pakistan. Bangladesh launched its first communications satellite, Bangabandhu-1, in 2018, expanding its digital connectivity and broadcasting capabilities, and Sri Lanka joined the space domain through leasing and partnerships with private satellite operators. Analysts note that with its latest deployment, Pakistan has taken another important step in regional space competition, seeking not only to strengthen its scientific and economic base but also to ensure that it does not lag behind its South Asian neighbors in leveraging satellite technology for development and security. – ER News Desk
