China extended its congratulations to Pakistan on Thursday for a significant achievement in its space program: the successful launch of its latest remote sensing satellite from Beijing’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC).
“Warmly congratulate the successful launch of a new remote sensing satellite for Pakistan from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China!” the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan posted on X.
They added, “May this satellite further strengthen our iron brother’s capabilities in land resource survey and disaster prevention and alleviation.”
This new satellite is a product of collaboration between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), and MICROSAT China.
According to Suparco, the satellite will enhance Earth observation, agricultural monitoring, and environmental analysis. Its advanced imaging systems are designed for round-the-clock data acquisition, aiming to support precision agriculture, disaster response, urban planning, and climate surveillance. This includes predicting and mitigating natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and glacier melt.
The satellite will also contribute to the geospatial monitoring of strategic initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), assist with regional planning, and bolster natural resource management efforts. Furthermore, it will aid in identifying transportation networks and geographical hazards.
Expanding Pakistan’s Space Footprint
The launch of Pakistan’s remote sensing satellite from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre on July 31, 2025, marks a notable moment. According to the national space agency, this is Pakistan’s second remote sensing satellite, following PRSS-1, which was launched in 2018. With this addition, five Pakistani satellites are now operational in orbit, significantly bolstering the nation’s capacity in space-based monitoring and disaster management.
This launch aligns with Pakistan’s broader National Space Policy and Vision 2047.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal also congratulated the nation on the successful launch, commending the Suparco team, engineers, and scientists for their remarkable achievement. Iqbal confirmed that the satellite had successfully reached its orbit and expressed gratitude for China’s strong support in realizing this mission.
In a message shared on X, Iqbal hailed the launch as “another URAAN of Pakistan” and declared it “another proud moment for our nation.” He asserted that the mission reflects “the dedication and excellence of Suparco and its brilliant team,” and that this milestone “not only strengthens Pakistan’s capabilities in space exploration but also takes Pakistan–China Iron Brotherhood beyond the skies.”
He further stated that Pakistan is committed to restoring its leadership role in space technology, revealing that a Pakistani astronaut would be sent into space next year with Chinese assistance. Iqbal also announced Pakistan’s ambitious goal to successfully complete its program to reach the Moon by 2035.
