China Launches Pakistan’s PRSS-01 Satellite, Strengthening Strategic Partnership | WATCH
China has successfully launched Pakistan’s PRSS-01 remote sensing satellite into orbit, marking a milestone in China-Pakistan space cooperation. While touted for civilian use, the satellite’s high-resolution imaging has raised concerns over potential military applications and regional security implications.
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China successfully launched Pakistan’s Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-01) into orbit today (Thursday), using a Kuaizhou-1A rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The launch, at 10:00 a.m. Beijing Time, marked the 29th flight of the KZ-1A and solidified China-Pakistan space cooperation. Mission controllers confirmed the satellite reached its designated orbit with all systems functioning normally.
Developed by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) with Chinese support, PRSS-01 is an optical remote sensing satellite designed for land resource surveys, environmental monitoring, and disaster prevention, including flood and landslide tracking. *China Daily* reported its civilian applications, but *Resonant News* noted potential military uses, such as high-resolution surveillance, raising concerns about regional security dynamics with India.
The launch, China’s first sale of an optical remote sensing satellite to Pakistan, per *China Economic Net*, points to the growing “all-weather alliance” between the two nations. It follows previous collaborations, including Pakistan’s PRSS-1 in 2018 and PakSat MM1 in 2024. *The Hindu* contextualized this within China’s expanding role as a launch provider for developing nations.
While SUPARCO emphasizes benefits for Pakistan’s environmental challenges, the satellite’s dual-use capabilities have sparked speculation about strategic applications.
Sources: China Daily, Resonant News, China Economic Net, The Hindu