Pakistan and China collaborate to launch two satellites in space.
On July 9th, 2018, Pakistan launched two civilian satellites in space from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China. One satellite the PRSS-1 is China's first optical remote sensing satellite built by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) sold to Pakistan and is 17th satellite that China has built for an overseas buyer.
The other satellite the PakTES-1A was indigenously built by Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in Pakistan and tested and launched in China. Both satellites were propelled in space using Chinese Long March 2C launch vehicle. This is the second collaboration of the two ally countries in space technology; initially Pakistan has launched a satellite named PAKSAT-1R, a communication satellite, in August 2011.
The two missions were commissioned between Pakistan’s SUPARCO and China Great Wall Industry Cooperation (CGWIC) in 2016.
Role of these satellites in Pakistan’s communication needs.
The PRSS-1 is an optical remote sensing satellite that will allow Pakistan to be independent in its data gathering needs regarding weather, crop monitoring, land mapping, natural disaster surveillance, and other weather and agricultural monitoring requirements.
Previously Pakistan was dependent upon international sources to collect this data which was not only costly but time consuming also. Now Pakistan will have its own reliable source in its dispossession, relieving it for external dependencies. India has multiple satellites in space and now finally Pakistan has gained the capability to get its own satellites in space.
PRSS-1 will also help the CPEC to monitor progress and its infrastructure projects like the belt and road region.
The other satellite PAKSAT-1R, built by SUPARCO and tested in China, is a test satellite that has now successfully allowed Pakistan to become a satellite manufacturer and this is SUPARCO’s first communication satellite. This is a step forward for Pakistan’s space program to be completely independent in its struggle in space exploration; hopefully Pakistan will soon get launch capabilities from its own soil.
Technical capacity of Pakistan’s first remote sensing satellite.
PRSS-1 has a working life of seven years, built as a communication satellite to take high resolution images remotely. Installed in this vehicle are two panchromatic/multispectral cameras, covering 60 km area range and resolution of up to one metre. Also the wide angle turning capability of the satellite help cover a wider area.
China has really challenged itself with the design of these cameras, as said by specialist that these cameras are the best ever remote sensing cameras of China. The camera can detect and monitor plant diseases and pests.
The satellite is released in a predefined orbit specifically designed to support Pakistan’s agricultural monitoring needs. Plus the camera has an independent image processing, storage and transmission functionality to help capture and process quality images. Satellites data is encrypted with best security channels, plus when satellite flies over Pakistan it can bounce back real time data.
A step forward in Pakistan’s space program.
These satellites are Pakistan’s 4th satellite launch other satellites of Pakistan include:
BADR-1 in 1990 was a test satellite for communication purposes. BADR-2 was second experimental satellite of Pakistan which was launched in 2001. In 2011, PakSAT-1R the first communication satellite of Pakistan was launched from China and is still in geostationary orbit. ICUBE-1 was launched in 2013 and it was a student experimental satellite developed by Institute of Space Technology (IST).
Space program of Pakistan is essential for the countries communication agricultural, territorial monitoring and metallurgical needs.
