China successfully launches Pakistani satellite 'PRSC-EO1' into space
Suparco's locally-built satellite EO-1 to revolutionise monitoring natural resources, weather forecasting, farming, and disaster management
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China on Friday successfully launched a Pakistani satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The satellite, named PRSC-EO1, was launched at 12:07 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered its planned orbit successfully.
The rocket also carried two other satellites - Tianlu-1 and Lantan-1. This launch marked the 556th flight mission involving the Long March carrier rocket series.
China has been launching satellites for Pakistan in the last few years broadening their all-weather alliance into the space arena.
Last year, China launched a multi-mission communication satellite for Pakistan.
In 2018, China sent two Pakistan satellites into orbit. The PRSS-1, Pakistan's first optical remote sensing satellite, and the PakTES-1A, a smaller observation craft.
Today SUPARCO’s first locally-developed Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite was launched into space.
According to Pakistan's Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the EO-1 satellite is a state-of-the-art, indigenously manufactured satellite that will be instrumental in monitoring Pakistan's natural resources and predicting natural disasters.
Pakistan's first locally developed EO-1 is equipped with a high-resolution camera that will capture detailed images of Earth, offering a range of applications.
It is the first satellite fully designed and manufactured locally by SUPARCO’s engineers, demonstrating the nation’s capability to achieve self-reliance in space technology.
EO-1 will play a pivotal role in real-time data collection during floods and earthquakes, assisting in damage assessment.
Additionally, the satellite will revolutionise precision farming by monitoring crops, assessing irrigation needs, predicting yields, and bolstering food security.
It will also aid urban development by tracking infrastructure growth, managing urban sprawl, and supporting city and regional planning.
The EO-1 satellite will also provide valuable updates for disaster management, offering insights on floods, landslides, earthquakes, deforestation, and land erosion.
Furthermore, it will enhance the extraction and conservation of natural resources, including monitoring minerals, oil and gas fields, glacier recession, and water reserves.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Zain Bukhari, a SUPARCO expert, described the launch as a historic milestone for Pakistan.
Bukhari said the satellite has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its readiness for operation, making today's launch a proud moment for the nation.
Reporter: Aqsa Shahid and Tayyab Saif