Islamabad: In a major milestone for Pakistan’s space ambitions, thePakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) hasannounced the launch of a new Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) scheduled forJuly 31, 2025. The satellite will be launched from the Xichang SatelliteLaunch Center (XSLC) in China, marking a significant step in enhancing thecountry’s Earth observation capabilities.
This latest addition to Pakistan’s satellite fleet is equipped withadvanced imaging technology designed to serve a wide range of nationalpriorities. From precision agriculture and environmental monitoring todisaster management and urban planning, the PRSS is expected to play acritical role in addressing pressing domestic challenges such as floods,landslides, glacier melt, and deforestation. It will also contribute togeospatial mapping and infrastructure development under key initiativeslike the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The mission builds upon earlier successes, including PRSS-1 launched in2018 and the country’s first fully indigenous Electro-Optical SatelliteEO-1 launched in January 2025. The EO-1, developed entirely by Pakistaniengineers, was a landmark in the nation’s pursuit of technologicalself-reliance and was geared towards applications in agriculture,environmental analysis, and disaster response.
Pakistan’s modern space journey was revitalized in 2011 with the launch ofPakSat-1R in collaboration with China. Since then, the nation has madesteady progress, launching satellites like PakTES-1A and PakSat-MM1, whichexpanded communication capabilities to underserved regions. The successfuldeployment of iCube Qamar in 2024, a student-built lunar satellite, furtherunderscored the country’s growing innovation in the space sector.
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With this upcoming launch, SUPARCO strengthens its alignment with theNational Space Policy and Vision 2047, reflecting Pakistan’s long-termcommitment to becoming a technologically advanced, spacefaring nation. Themission not only symbolizes a technological achievement but also reaffirmsthe country’s dedication to sustainable development and global scientificengagement.