*ISLAMABAD:* The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission(SUPARCO) has confirmed the “successful deployment” and “operationalreadiness” of the country’s latest remote sensing satellite, *PRSS-1*,launched on July 31 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) inChina.
The satellite will serve as a cornerstone in advancing Pakistan’stechnological, developmental, and strategic ambitions.National Development and Civilian Applications
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal earlier said PRSS-1 would primarily be usedin *land resource surveys, disaster prevention, and mitigation*, helpingdrive sustainable national development.
Following its deployment, the satellite has established “stable contact”with ground stations and begun capturing and transmitting *high-resolutionimagery*, according to SUPARCO.
“This capability will revolutionize urban planning, infrastructuredevelopment, and environmental monitoring while strengthening disastermanagement efforts through timely data for early warnings and rapidresponse,” SUPARCO said in its statement.
The satellite’s advanced imaging will also support *agriculture*, enablingprecision farming, crop mapping, and efficient water resource management,directly contributing to *food security*.
In addition, PRSS-1 will assist *CPEC-related projects* by mappingtransportation networks, identifying geological hazards, and facilitatingresource allocation for large-scale development initiatives.Strategic and Military Significance
Beyond civilian applications, PRSS-1 carries major *strategic importance*for Pakistan. With its ability to capture *day-and-night, all-weatherhigh-resolution images*, the satellite provides enhanced *situationalawareness* for national defense and security institutions.
Military analysts note that PRSS-1 will allow Pakistan to:
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*Monitor border regions and sensitive areas* in real time. –
Track *troop movements, infrastructure changes, and strategic installations* in the region. –
Strengthen *maritime security*, particularly in the Arabian Sea and Gwadar port, through surveillance of naval activities. –
Support counterterrorism and internal security operations by providing detailed terrain and mapping data.
Experts say the satellite will also reduce Pakistan’s reliance on foreignimagery and intelligence, bolstering *strategic autonomy* whileenhancing *deterrencecapabilities* in a rapidly evolving regional security environment.Growing Space Cooperation with China
The launch highlights Pakistan’s deepening *space collaboration with China*.Both countries are also working on sending the *first Pakistani astronaut*to China’s Tiangong space station, with training already underway.
“This accomplishment underlines Pakistan’s advancing space-basedcapabilities and SUPARCO’s dedication to achieving self-reliance,” thecommission stated. “It will strengthen national infrastructure, open newavenues for sustainability, and reinforce informed decision-making acrosscivilian and defense sectors.”
The successful deployment of PRSS-1 not only marks a leap forward in*socio-economicdevelopment*, but also solidifies its role as a *strategic asset*, bridgingthe gap between Pakistan’s civilian progress and national securityimperatives.