Pakistan Introduces Its First In-House Observation Satellite

PRSC-EO1, Pakistan’s first domestically built observation satellite, was launched to improve its space capabilities for resource monitoring and disaster management.

PRSC-EO1, Pakistan’s first indigenously built observation satellite, was successfully launched Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China. For the nation’s space program, which is headed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the launch represents a major turning point.

The PRSC-EO1 satellite is outfitted with electro-optical sensors that measure reflected sunlight and emitted radiation in order to gather information and pictures of the Earth’s surface. According to a SUPARCO release, this capability would increase Pakistan’s capacity to monitor natural resources, respond to catastrophes, promote urban planning, and assist agricultural growth.

“Spearheaded by SUPARCO, this demonstrates our nation’s growing capabilities in space science and technology,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, praising the launch as evidence of Pakistan’s increasing proficiency in space science and technology.

According to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the satellite was launched using China’s Long March-2D carrier rocket together with two other satellites, Tianlu-1 and Blue Carbon 1.

According to Novaspace, the earth observation satellite business, which is presently valued at $5 billion, is expected to increase rapidly and reach $8 billion by 2033. Countries like the US, China, and India have developed both public and commercial satellite constellations as a result of this development. Pixxel, an Indian firm, deployed the nation’s first privately constructed satellite constellation earlier this month.

With its successful launch, Pakistan joins the increasing number of nations expanding their commercial space sector footprint.