China launches Pakistan’s home-made observation satellite EO-1 into space

China launched Pakistan’s first home-made observation satellite EO-1 on January 17, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, Pakistan’s space agency said.

The satellite was launched at 12:07 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a Long March-2D carrier rocket and entered its planned orbit successfully. China launched the first satellite of a remote sensing constellation for Pakistan along with two domestic satellites, namely Tianlu-1 and Lantan-1.

Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed launch success. China and Pakistan share a strong space partnership, with Pakistan officially joining China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) moon base initiative in October 2023.

“Remarkable milestone in space exploration”

“This remarkable milestone marks a giant leap forward in Pakistan’s journey toward self-reliance and technological excellence in space exploration,” the agency said.

SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan expressed his gratitude for the government’s “unwavering support” and acknowledged the dedication of the agency’s engineers, emphasizing that the launch reflected “Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging space technology for national progress and sustainable development”.

“The successful launch represents a crucial step in Pakistan’s journey towards space technology excellence and reinforces SUPARCO’s role as a key contributor to the nation’s socio-economic growth through innovative space solutions,” the agency said in a statement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed pride in this achievement on social media platform X, emphasizing the EO-1 satellite’s transformative potential. He praised the scientists and engineers behind the project, calling it a testament to the nation’s growing capabilities in space science and technology under SUPARCO’s leadership.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar termed the successful launch a “significant achievement” in Pakistan’s space journey.

Pakistan’s observation satellite EO-1

Pakistan’s indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite will boost Pakistan’s ability to monitor and manage natural resources, respond to disasters, and improve urban planning and agricultural development, SUPARCO said.

EO-1 satellite is an advanced imaging satellite designed to capture high-resolution optical images of Earth, supporting diverse applications such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, agriculture, defense, and surveillance.

SUPARCO highlighted that the satellite provides valuable insights across various sectors, including:

• Agriculture: Enhancing precision farming, irrigation management, and crop yield forecasting.
• Urban Planning: Monitoring infrastructure development and managing urban sprawl.
• Environmental Management: Tracking deforestation, glacier retreat, and water resources.
• Disaster Management: Offering timely updates on floods, landslides, and earthquakes for efficient response.

The domestically developed satellite will significantly enhance Pakistan’s ability to monitor and manage natural resources, respond to natural disasters, and support food security initiatives. For agriculture, it promises to enable precision farming by tracking crop health, irrigation needs, and yield predictions. In urban development, EO-1 will aid in monitoring infrastructure growth, managing urban sprawl, and facilitating city and regional planning efforts.

China successfully launched the Pakistan PRSC-EO1 satellite on Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-2D carrier rocket. The satellite successfully entered its intended orbit. The rocket also carried the Tianlu-1 satellite and the Lantan-1 satellite,… pic.twitter.com/1jCVq2DruW

— China Perspective (@China_Fact) January 17, 2025

The satellite will also bolster disaster management by delivering real-time updates on floods, earthquakes, and deforestation. Additionally, it will support the sustainable management of natural resources, including monitoring mineral deposits, oil fields, glaciers, and water resources.

This milestone aligns with the National Space Policy’s vision of leveraging advanced space technologies for national progress. In May last year, Pakistan launched the PakSat-MM1 satellite to enhance internet and communication infrastructure, developed jointly by SUPARCO and the China Great Wall Industry Corporation. Furthermore, SUPARCO joined China’s Chang’e 8 lunar mission, set for a 2028 launch.