By Levina
Pakistan recently launched two observation satellites in just one week. Whilst one was launched with America and Turkey’s help, the other was done with China’s assistance.
PAUSAT-1 Launch in Collaboration with SpaceX
On January 14, Pakistan launched the PAUSAT-1, an advanced earth observation satellite, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-12 Mission. PAUSAT-1, developed by Air University (AU), is a state-of-the-art 16U CubeSat equipped with a high-resolution multispectral imager capable of capturing images with a ground resolution of 1.5 meters. The satellite was built in collaboration with Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in Turkey and includes a hyperspectral imager, enhancing its capability to capture detailed earth imagery across multiple spectral bands.
A 16U nanosatellite is typically a cube-shaped satellite that measures 20x20x40 centimeters, with a mass ranging from 30 to 60 kilograms. The “16U” designation refers to the number of “Units” the satellite takes up, where each “Unit” is equal to 10x10x10 centimeters in size. So, a 16U nanosatellite takes up sixteen units stacked on each other.
PRSC-EO1 Launch with China’s Assistance
Just days later, on January 17, Pakistan achieved another significant milestone with the launch of PRSC-EO1, its first homegrown earth observation satellite. The launch was conducted by China at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, utilizing a Long March-2D rocket. PRSC-EO1 entered its designated orbit at 12:07 p.m. Beijing Time.
Developed by Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), PRSC-EO1 is an advanced Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite equipped with a high-resolution optical payload. This satellite is designed to collect critical data to support various sectors in Pakistan, including land mapping, agricultural classification and assessment, urban and rural planning, environmental monitoring, natural disaster monitoring and management, surveying, and natural resource protection.
Its interesting to note that while the satellite launched from China gained lot of traction the one launched by SpaceX did not make enough headlines. This could possibly be due to the size and efficiency.
Military Applications of Earth Observation Satellites
Earth observation satellites like PAUSAT-1 and PRSC-EO1 have significant military applications. They are crucial for reconnaissance and surveillance, providing real-time or near-real-time imagery to monitor military activities, troop movements, and strategic assets. These satellites support target acquisition, precision strikes, and post-strike damage assessments. Additionally, they offer vital terrain analysis for mission planning and navigation, enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency. In times of conflict, they can be used to monitor border areas, detect adversarial activities, and provide early warning for missile launches. Their ability to gather comprehensive environmental and geographic data also aids in planning logistics and infrastructure protection, making them indispensable assets for modern military operations.