Pakistan launches new satellite from China

PM hails project as milestone in space exploration

ISLAMABAD:

China on Thursday successfully launched Pakistan's Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-1) aboard a Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, located in Sichuan Province.

The satellite was launched at 10:00am (Beijing Time) on Thursday. It entered its preset orbit successfully. The mission marked the 29th flight of the Kuaizhou-1A model, China Economic Net reported.

PRSS-1, China's first optical remote sensing satellite sold to Pakistan, will be used for land and resources surveying and monitoring of natural disasters.

The launch marks a major milestone in the country's space journey and strengthens its position in Earth observation capabilities.

The project is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), and MICROSAT China, said a news release on Thursday.

Prime Minister

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday congratulated SUPARCO and the entire team of scientists and engineers on the successful launch of Pakistan's advanced remote sensing satellite, terming it a landmark achievement for the country and a shining example of Pak-China cooperation in the space domain.

In a message posted on his official X account, the Prime Minister wrote: "Heartfelt congratulations to SUPARCO & the entire team on the successful launch of Pakistan's advanced remote sensing satellite. This achievement showcases the soaring heights of Pakistan-China cooperation, extending beyond borders and into outer space, driven by a shared vision to harness space technology for the betterment of humanity."

The prime minister noted that it would play a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities of CPEC and offer wide-ranging applications in agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, mapping of transportation networks, and data acquisition across diverse environments.

"This is not just a technological advancement but a step forward in ensuring sustainable development and improved planning mechanisms across various sectors in Pakistan," he said.

Foreign Office

Pakistan said that the successful launch of its Remote Sensing Satellite has reaffirmed its position among the community of space-faring nations, leveraging innovation to pursue a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar commended the dedication of the engineers, scientists, and technical teams from SUPARCO Pakistan and CETC & MICROSAT China for their exemplary cooperation and unwavering commitment to the mission.