On July 31, 2025, China successfully launched the Pakistan Remote-Sensing Satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China’s Sichuan province. The satellite was deployed into its planned orbit at 10:00 am (Beijing Time) using a Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket. This launch marks another significant step in the ongoing space cooperation between Pakistan and China, further strengthening their strategic partnership in space technology. The pictures show the name of the satellite as PRSC-S1.

As per pakistan’s claims the satellite is designed to support critical applications such as land resource surveys, disaster prevention, and mitigation. It is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges in Pakistan, including monitoring floods, landslides, glacier melt, and deforestation. The satellite’s advanced imaging capabilities will enhance Pakistan’s ability to manage natural resources, plan infrastructure, and respond to natural disasters effectively, aligning with the country’s National Space Policy and Vision 2047. The satellite will also contribute to geospatial and monitoring of strategic initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), assist with regional planning, and support natural resource management efforts.

According to the agency, this is Pakistan’s second remote sensing satellite after PRSS-1, which was launched in 2018

But then ofcourse remote sensing satellites can be used for spying, as their high-resolution imaging and data collection capabilities can capture detailed information about military installations, infrastructure, troop movements, or other strategic assets. These satellites, equipped with advanced sensors like optical, infrared, or radar systems, can monitor activities on Earth’s surface, often with resolutions fine enough to identify objects less than a meter in size

Pakistan’s space program, managed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), has been steadily expanding since last few years.:

1. PRSS-1 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1)
   • Launch Date: July 9, 2018
   • Orbit: Sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (LEO), 640 km altitude
2. PakTES-1A (Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite-1A)
   • Launch Date: July 9, 2018
   • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), 610 km altitude
3. PRSC-EO1 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite – Earth Observation 1)
   • Launch Date: January 17, 2025
   • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
4. PakSat-MM1 (Multi-Mission Satellite)
   • Launch Date: May 30, 2024
   • Orbit: Geosynchronous Orbit
5. iCube-Qamar
   • Launch Date: May 2024
   • Orbit: Lunar Orbit
6. PAUSAT-1
   • Launch Date: January 14, 2025
   • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)