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Mission type | Earth observation satellite |
---|---|
Operator | SUPARCO |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | PRSC-EO1 |
Manufacturer | SUPARCO |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | January 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]