PRSC-EO1 satellite

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PRSC-EO1 satellite
PRSC-EO1 satellite.jpg
Mission type Earth observation satellite
Operator SUPARCO
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftPRSC-EO1
Manufacturer SUPARCO
Start of mission
Launch dateJanuary 17, 2025, 12:07 pm BT (04:07  UTC)
Rocket Chang Zheng 2D
Launch site Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre [1]
Contractor CASC

PRSC-EO1(Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite - Earth Observation 1) is an Electro-Optical Satellite developed by Pakistan's Space Agency (SUPARCO). [2] It was launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Centre on January 17, 2025, [3] [4] by China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), [5] a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). [6] [7] The PRSC-EO1 is Pakistan's first domestically produced observation satellite. [2] [3] [8] The satellite was Pakistan's 2nd launch in just under a week. Previously, Pakistan launched PAUSAT-1 satellite, on SpaceX's Falcon 9 on January 14, 2025. [9] [10]

Contents

Background

The launch of PRSC-EO1 is part of a broader initiative under the "Space Vision 2040", which seeks to establish Pakistan self-reliant in satellite launching and development capabilities. Under this vision, SUPARCO announced a new program of three optical remote sensing satellites called PRSC-EOS and the PRSC-EO1 is first of three satellites. [11] [12] [13] [7] Then, In 2022, the China Great Wall Industry Corporation reached an agreement with SUPARCO. providing multi-launch services for a SUPARCO satellite. [7] In addition to that, CGWIC also provided Pakistani satellite with Telemetry, Tracking, and Command support for Launch and Early Orbit Phase support. [6]

Launch

PRSC-EO1 was launched on January 17, 2025, 12:07pm (Beijing Time) by Long March-2D (LM-2D) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia. [14] The satellite was launched besides two other Chinese satellites Tianlu 1 and Lantan 1. [11] The official launch ceremony was held at the SUPARCO Complex in Karachi where the launch was broadcast live. [12] [15]

Objectives

PRSC-EO1 is earth observation satellite. Its primary purpose is to monitor earth and support land mapping in agriculture, disaster management, urban planning and resource planning. PRSC-EO1 will also help in infrastructure tracking, natural resource conservation, environmental monitoring, and providing real-time response to disasters. [12] [3]

Specifications

The Satellite is Pakistan's first domestically produced (EO) electro-optical remote sensing satellite and is equipped with a high-resolution optical payload designed to capture multi-spectral images with a potential resolution of up to 1 meter. [8]

References

  1. "Launch Site, Rocket and Date". Dawn Newspaper . Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Karachi, Ariba; Baptiste, Eduardo (January 17, 2025). Jones, Gareth (ed.). "Pakistan launches first home-made observation satellite". Reuters. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Guramani, Nadir (January 17, 2025). "Pakistan launches first home-made observation satellite EO-1". DAWN.COM. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  4. "China successfully launches Pakistani satellite 'PRSC-EO1' into space". Business Standard. January 17, 2025.
  5. "Pakistan Achieves Milestone with Launch of 3 Advanced Satellites | Deftechtimes". January 18, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "CGWIC Successfully Launches PRSC-EO1 Satellite for the SUPARCO by Long March-2D Launch Vehicle". www.cgwic.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Jones, Andrew (January 17, 2025). "China launches Earth observation satellite for Pakistan". SpaceNews. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Khan, Bilal (January 17, 2025). "Pakistan's First Homegrown Imaging Satellite Enters Orbit - Quwa" . Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  9. "Pakistan Launched Two Observation Satellites in One Week; With America and China's Help". Ground News. January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  10. Levina (January 18, 2025). "Pakistan Launched Two Observation Satellites in One Week; With America and China's Help - RESONANT NEWS". resonantnews.com. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  11. 1 2 刘小卓. "Pakistani satellite among 3 launched". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 "Pakistan's indigenous PRSC EO-1 satellite launched into space". Daily Ausaf. January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  13. "PAKISTAN REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE (PRSC-EOS) | SUPARCO". suparco.gov.pk. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  14. Pandey, Arushi (January 17, 2025). "China Launches Pakistani Satellite PRSC-EO1". Interstellar News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  15. "Pakistan set to launch EO-1 satellite, marking a milestone in space exploration". The Express Tribune. January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025.