Pakistan Launches PRSC-EO2 Satellite: SUPARCO Successfully Sends Second Indigenous Earth Observation Satellite into Orbit

Pakistan has announced another important milestone in its national space program by successfully sending its second indigenous Earth Observation Satellite into space.

The launch was carried out from the Yangjiang Sea Shore Launching Center in Guangdong Province, China, where during an offshore mission Pakistan’s satellite, along with six other satellites, was placed into orbit.

The satellite has been developed by Pakistan’s national space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

According to officials, it will significantly enhance the country’s Earth observation and high-resolution imaging capabilities.

What is the EO-2 satellite?

Senior engineer associated with the project, Hamid Zubair Waraich, said, “It is a high-resolution remote sensing satellite, meaning it is equipped with Earth observation capability. This is Pakistan’s sixth remote sensing satellite and the third indigenous satellite whose design and development were carried out in Pakistan.”

According to SUPARCO officials, this satellite captures extremely clear images of the Earth from space. With the help of these images, changes occurring in different parts of the Earth can be analyzed, whether they are agricultural lands, rivers, glaciers, or urban areas.

What will this satellite do?

According to SUPARCO officials, EO-2 will provide important data for national development planning, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and tracking urban expansion.

Engineer Hamid Zubair Waraich said, “The primary purpose of this satellite is to improve Earth observation. Through it, population mapping, planning, flood early warning, glacier monitoring, and crop monitoring can be carried out. It will be very beneficial for Pakistan in civil applications.”

According to SUPARCO, with the inclusion of EO-2, Pakistan’s satellite fleet has expanded, which will significantly improve the continuity, coverage, and accuracy of Earth observation data.

Where and how does it operate in space?

EO-2 is orbiting in Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometers above Earth.

Engineer Hamid Zubair Waraich said, “It is a low Earth observation satellite, meaning it is in low orbit. It makes about seven revolutions around the Earth daily, but it does not remain fixed over one place; it keeps changing location.”

This means the satellite continuously revolves around the Earth and captures images of different areas during each orbit.

Regarding future plans, Engineer Hamid Zubair Waraich says that the more satellites there are, the faster monitoring of different regions will be possible.

Why was it not launched from Pakistan?

This question also surfaced on social media: if the satellite was developed locally, why was it not launched from Pakistan?

Hamid Zubair Waraich says, “SUPARCO currently does not have a launch pad in Pakistan. Work on this technology is ongoing, but this facility is not available at present.”

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described China-Pakistan space cooperation as historic and, in his message on the social media platform X, congratulated the entire Pakistani nation on the historic milestone of the successful launch of Pakistan’s advanced Earth observation satellite PRSC-EO2, which was completed with the cooperation of the People’s Republic of China.

According to Ishaq Dar, “This achievement reflects continued progress in strengthening Pakistan’s national space capabilities and promoting technological self-reliance.”

Chinese officials also described the launch as a symbol of bilateral relations. Chinese journalist and analyst Shen Shiwei claimed that a senior Pakistani minister told him in conversation that the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between China and Pakistan is higher than the skies.

Shen Shiwei, who comments on China’s politics and economy, said on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he has closely observed space cooperation between China and Pakistan.

Satellite lifespan and commissioning phase


According to SUPARCO officials, the expected lifespan of EO-2 is approximately seven years. SUPARCO engineer Hamid Zubair Waraich said that after launch, a satellite does not immediately become fully operational. There is an initial phase called “commissioning.”

“It has reached orbit, and the commissioning phase is ongoing. In-orbit testing is being carried out. Initial results will start coming in within a day or two.”

During this phase, all the satellite’s instruments, sensors, and communication systems are tested in space to ensure they are functioning properly.

Engineer Hamid Zubair Waraich said that although the launch took place from China, the satellite will be fully operated from Pakistan.