Pakistan achieved a major accomplishment on July 31st when they successfully launched a remote sensing satellite from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Kuaizhou-1A rocket, signaling further space cooperation between its long-standing ally, China, and Pakistan. For more information about this event please see The Express Tribune and CGTN News as well as The Economic Times
Pakistan’s national space agency, Suparco (Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), led this mission in conjunction with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation and MicroSAT China; drawing high praise from senior officials of both nations. Wikipedia The Express Tribune + Business Recorder + 8
Strategic Objectives & Capabilities
Pakistan recently deployed their fourth Earth observation craft under its URAAN satellite program to bolster national capacities for environmental monitoring, disaster management and sustainable development planning. According to Wikipedia and The Economic Times this satellite will focus on strengthening capacities related to environmental monitoring, disaster management and sustainable development planning – essential goals of URAAN satellite technology. The newly deployed satellite joins five others launched previously: NASA satellite, WAIS-IV (The Pakistan Satellite for Advanced Aerography Research Networks Satellite), DARAAN satellite (Deeplying), Business Standard = 10.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that their satellite will offer “high-resolution, round-the-clock imaging” and support key domains including:
Disaster response services such as flood forecasting, landslide monitoring and glacier-melt tracking may be required in an emergency situation.
Agriculture & food Security: Precision Farming and yield forecasting
Environmental Protection measures such as monitoring deforestation and protecting water resources should also be considered when considering environmental protection strategies.
Urban Planning & Infrastructure Mapping: Mapping Land Use and CPEC Development
Dawn is available here as is The Economic Times as is The Business Standard
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the launch as a proud moment, hailing it as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s Earth observation network and welcoming YouTube as part of Pakistan’s integrated Earth observation network (IEON).
YouTube + 14 Economic Times +14 Business Standard Plus 14
Regional and National Significance
The launch marks another step forward for Pakistan’s Space Vision 2040 initiative led by SUPARCO that seeks to deploy multiple geostationary and low Earth orbit satellites by 2040. It builds on previous achievements such as PRSC-EO1’s launch last January – Pakistan’s first domestically designed electro-optical Earth observation platform
The launch of this satellite further strengthens ties with China, and fits within China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), through which satellite imagery will help monitor infrastructure and land-use patterns across development zones. (Business Recorder/ Dawn = 1)
Technical and Operational Milestones
Lift-off was successfully achieved aboard a Kuaizhou-1A solid-fuel carrier rocket for this mission marking its 29th flight as commercial launcher variant. Once in orbit, initial systems such as propulsion, power, imaging payload were confirmed operating normally (CGTN News +3; SpaceNews +3; The Express Tribune+3)
SUPARCO highlighted their collaboration with Chinese agencies was enhanced through full integration of image reception, telemetry and data processing capabilities on the ground; assuring domestic agencies and research institutes have quick access to satellite’s data feed for analysis. They further noted YouTube’s coverage as well as The Economic Times’ and Wikipedia’s respective coverage for further clarity.
Officials highlighted that Pakistan will gain humanitarian and environmental benefits from having this satellite platform in orbit over their nation, such as improved detection and response capability to climate-induced disasters such as floods, glacial lake outbursts, droughts etc. In a country prone to floods, glacial lake outbursts and droughts often experienced by this nation; such platform should help shorten response times as well as enhance situational awareness for emergency agencies – The Economic Times/Business Standard highlighted these as positive aspects.
Agriculture planners will rely on multispectral data to optimize irrigation and fertilizer use, improving yields while supporting food security programs. Environmental regulators hope that tracking deforestation and glacier mass balance over time – two essential measures given climate variability in Pakistan’s mountainous regions- is possible using multispectral imagery (Biz Recorder | Business Standard).
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next
Now that the satellite has been successfully launched, technical teams from Pakistan and China will work collaboratively on calibrating its optics and optimizing imaging systems. Pakistan plans on taking advantage of its growing fleet of observation satellites to assist national policy planning processes, environmental governance activities, and Sino-Pakistani strategic cooperation efforts.
Pakistan’s success as a space power in South Asia and bilateral cooperation in science and technology are testament to their effectiveness.