PRSC-EO3, a Pakistani remote sensing satellite, is launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Shanxi Province. PHOTO: application
ISLAMABAD:
China successfully launched a Pakistani remote sensing satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province on Saturday, official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The satellite, named PRSC-EO3, was launched into space by a Long March-6 rocket at 8:15 p.m. (12:15 GMT).
It successfully entered its intended orbit, according to official reports.
The launch represents the 640th mission in China’s Long March rocket series, a key part of the country’s expanding space program.
The PRSC-EO3 is expected to support Pakistan’s capabilities in Earth observation, including monitoring of natural resources, disaster management and environmental change.
“The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) successfully launched its homegrown electro-optical satellite (EO-3) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, marking another milestone in the country’s space capabilities,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
“Beyond its primary imaging mission, EO-3 carries advanced experimental payloads aimed at validating next-generation space technologies. These include a multi-geometry 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.
He said the addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s fleet of Earth observation satellites “significantly strengthens national capabilities in remote sensing.”
“The integrated system will improve data continuity, imaging reliability and analytical accuracy, supporting applications across all socio-economic sectors of Pakistan,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The military’s media affairs 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 called the launch a “historic milestone” in a statement.
He stressed that it was a “clear manifestation of Pakistan’s self-reliance, scientific expertise and growing capabilities in space technology.”
The President praised the professional expertise of Suparco scientists and engineers, saying their efforts were adapting Pakistan to modern requirements.
The president also praised China’s “consistent and trustworthy cooperation” in the space sector.
According to the FO statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Suparco scientists and engineers on this achievement.
“He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to advancing Pakistan’s space program and expressed appreciation for China’s continued cooperation in this area,” it read.
The launch of the EO-3 satellite marks a major milestone 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 vital 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.
