ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched an indigenous electro-optical satellite, EO-3, the foreign office said on Saturday, in a move expected to boost remote sensing capabilities with socio-economic benefits for agriculture, disaster response and urban planning.
The satellite, developed by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), was launched from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, according to the official statement.
Electro-optical satellites like EO-3 use high-resolution cameras to capture images of the Earth’s surface, making it easier to track crop patterns, map urban expansion and monitor natural disasters such as floods, and are a key tool for planning and emergency response.
“The addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s Earth Observation satellite fleet significantly enhances national capabilities in remote sensing,” the foreign office said. “The integrated system will improve data continuity, imaging reliability and analytical precision, supporting applications across Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors.”
The launch comes as Pakistan seeks to expand its space capabilities through a combination of domestic development and cooperation with China, including recent progress toward human spaceflight.
Earlier this week, two Pakistani candidates were selected for astronaut training under China’s space program and are expected to travel as reserve crew for a future mission aboard the Tiangong space station, potentially making one the first foreign astronaut to fly on the platform.
The EO-3 satellite also carries experimental payloads, including an artificial intelligence-based onboard data processing system designed to analyze images in real time, along with advanced imaging modules to improve accuracy and energy storage systems to support longer operations in orbit.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the achievement and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the national space program, while also acknowledging China’s continued cooperation in satellite launches and related technologies.
Pakistan and China have collaborated on multiple space initiatives in recent years, including satellite development, as Beijing opens its space program to international partners amid growing global competition in space exploration.
