China Launches Pakistan Satellite Along With Two Chinese Satellites
China launched a carrier rocket from its north-west launch centre, placing three satellites into orbit in a single mission. The payload included Pakistan’s latest remote-sensing satellite, along with two Chinese satellites. The launch was reported by Chinese state media.
Pakistan’s new satellite
The Pakistani satellite is described as a hyperspectral or advanced remote-sensing craft developed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The imagery and data it collects are expected to support applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring and urban development.
China–Pakistan space cooperation
China’s assistance underscores the deepening space cooperation between the two countries, with China providing launch services for Pakistan’s satellites. Analysts say this reflects Beijing’s growing role as an international launch provider and Islamabad’s efforts to bolster its Earth-observation capabilities.
Strategic significance
Hyperspectral satellites offer finer resolution across more spectral bands than traditional imaging systems, enabling enhanced monitoring of vegetation health, mineral resources, disaster-response mapping and change detection over time. For Pakistan, this marks a step toward more autonomous space-based data collection.
Looking ahead
The successful mission adds to China’s commercial and international launch portfolio. For Pakistan, the satellite’s data will need to be integrated into national systems to deliver value in agriculture planning, urban-infrastructure monitoring and climate resilience efforts.
