PRSC-EO3, a Pakistani remote sensing satellite, is launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Shanxi Province. PHOTO: approx
ISLAMABAD:
China on Saturday successfully launched a Pakistani remote sensing satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi province, state-run Xinhua News reported.
The satellite, called PRSC-EO3, was launched into space by a Long March-6 rocket at 20:15 (1215 GMT).
It successfully entered its planned orbit, according to official reports.
The launch represents the 640th mission in China’s Long March rocket series, a key component of the country’s expanding space program.
PRSC-EO3 is expected to support Pakistan’s capabilities in Earth observation, including natural resource monitoring, disaster management and environmental change.
“The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has successfully launched its indigenous electro-optical satellite (EO-3) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, marking another significant milestone in the nation’s space capability,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement published on social media platform X.
“In addition to its core imaging mission, EO-3 carries advanced experimental payloads aimed at validating next-generation space technologies. These include a multi-geometric imaging module for improved imaging accuracy, an advanced energy storage system and an onboard AI-powered data processing unit to enable real-time analysis and intelligent decision support,” it said.
It said the addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s Earth observation satellite fleet “significantly enhances national capabilities in remote sensing”.
“The integrated system will improve data continuity, imaging reliability and analytical precision and support applications across Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors,” the State Department said.
The military’s media arm, Inter-Services Public Relations, said the satellite would provide imagery data to “revolutionize urban planning, disaster management, food security and environmental protection”.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, called the launch a “historic milestone”.
He highlighted that it was a “clear manifestation of Pakistan’s confidence, scientific excellence and growing capability in space technology”.
The President praised the professional expertise of Suparco’s scientists and engineers and said their efforts were to adapt Pakistan to modern requirements.
The president also praised China’s “consistent and credible cooperation” in the space sector.
According to the FO statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Suparco’s scientists and engineers for the achievement.
“He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to promoting Pakistan’s space program and expressed appreciation for China’s continued cooperation in this area,” it said.
The launch of the EO-3 satellite marks a major step forward in Pakistan’s quest for self-reliance and technological advancement in the space sector. Equipped with advanced imaging capabilities, the satellite is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming urban planning, disaster management, food security and environmental protection across the country.
Officials said the EO-3 satellite will lay the foundation for a comprehensive Earth observation system aimed at supporting national priorities in multiple sectors and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.
