China launches Pakistan’s surveillance satellite
For the first time, Pakistan has launched a surveillance satellite made entirely of its own technology. It was assisted by neighboring China. The satellite was launched from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Friday (January 17).
China Daily reported that this afternoon, China launched a Long March 2D carrier rocket, which placed three satellites, including an advanced space research satellite, into their predetermined orbits.
The rocket’s manufacturer, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said that the rocket was launched at 12:07 p.m. and quickly delivered the Tianlu 1, PRSC-EO1 and Lantan 1 satellites into orbit.
Of these three satellites, PRSC-EO1 was Pakistan’s. Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPERCO) said in a statement that the satellite will help Pakistan monitor and manage its natural resources, respond to disasters, improve urban planning and improve agriculture.
The satellite is capable of collecting data and images of the Earth’s surface by detecting sunlight reflection or radiation using electro-optical sensors. After the satellite’s launch, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan’s growing capabilities in space research and technology under the leadership of SUPERCO have been proven.
Several countries, including the United States, China and India, have increased their focus on building satellites with public and private funding to accurately observe the world. This month, Indian company Pixel launched the country’s first privately built satellite.