Pakistan to launch advanced hyperspectral satellite for mineral, climate research

Pakistan is preparing to launch an advanced hyperspectral satellite next month, which will assist in exploring underground mineral resources and enhance research in agriculture, forestry, wildlife, flood monitoring, glacier melt, air pollution, and smog.

SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan said, “The hyperspectral satellite, scheduled for launch in October, will analyze different wavelengths of light reflected from the Earth’s surface, generating precise information about minerals, vegetation, soil, and water quality. Surveys that previously required years and cost millions can now be completed in just days and at a fraction of the expense. This advancement will enable Pakistan to independently map its mineral reserves and pave the way for more efficient use of natural resources.”

Speaking at the inaugural session of a five-day training workshop in Lahore under the auspices of ASNET (the Intra-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology), Yousaf Khan added, “Pakistan is not only playing a leading role among the member states of the OIC but is also achieving remarkable progress in space and satellite imaging.”

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The workshop, being held from September 22 to 26, has participants from Iraq, Senegal, Libya, Türkiye, and Tunisia and aims to provide training in web GIS development through open-source technologies, enabling participants to integrate satellite data into effective applications for multiple sectors.

Dr. Muhammad Mansha, head of web applications development at SUPARCO, said, “The use of open-source technologies for web GIS is a fundamental need of the present era. Such training will allow experts to integrate sectoral data with satellite imagery to create applications useful for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. This technology will empower researchers and policymakers to make decisions that are both timely and evidence-based.”

He added, “Hyperspectral imagery provides much more detailed data than conventional satellite imaging, capturing hundreds of spectral bands in every pixel. Globally, this technology is being applied in environmental monitoring, species identification, and pollution control. While Pakistan already operates remote sensing satellites for agriculture and disaster management, the new hyperspectral satellite is expected to multiply these capabilities many times over.”

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International participants observed, “The ongoing workshop in Lahore is not only enhancing technical skills but also opening new avenues for collaboration and innovation.”

SUPARCO officials expressed confidence that “through this program, Pakistan will further consolidate its position in advanced space technologies and emerge as a model for other countries in the region.”