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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan successfully launched its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from the Chinese Satellite Launch Centre, marking a major milestone in the nation&rsquo;s space program, the Foreign Office announced on Sunday.&nbsp;The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) reported that the HS-1 satellite is equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging technology capable of capturing data across hundreds of narrow spectral bands.&nbsp;The technology will enable precise monitoring of land use, vegetation health, water resources, and urban development.&nbsp;The Foreign Office stated that the satellite will enhance Pakistan&rsquo;s capabilities in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management.&nbsp;&ldquo;Its high-resolution data will support sustainable resource management and strengthen resilience against climate-related challenges,&rdquo; the statement read.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; 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margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">The Foreign Office added that the satellite will also aid development initiatives under the China&ndash;Pakistan Economic Corridor by identifying geo-hazard risks and promoting sustainable infrastructure development.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar commended the Pakistani and Chinese scientists and technical teams for their &ldquo;commitment, professional excellence and exemplary cooperation.&rdquo; He said the successful launch reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s dedication to leveraging space technology for socioeconomic progress.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">In a separate statement reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq congratulated the scientists, engineers and the nation on the achievement.The office added that HS-1 will also aid development initiatives under the China&ndash;Pakistan Economic Corridor by identifying geo-hazard risks and promoting sustainable infrastructure development.&nbsp;Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar commended the Pakistani and Chinese scientists and technical teams for their &ldquo;commitment, professional excellence and exemplary cooperation.&rdquo;&nbsp;He emphasized that the successful launch reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s dedication to leveraging space technology for socioeconomic progress.&nbsp;In a statement reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq congratulated the scientists, engineers, and the nation on the achievement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The successful launch of HS-1 marks a historic milestone in Pakistan&rsquo;s space research program,&rdquo; Sadiq said, noting that it would open new avenues for scientific and technological self-reliance.&nbsp;He added that the satellite would bring &ldquo;revolutionary advancements in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and urban planning,&rdquo; enabling Pakistan to better monitor crop health, soil moisture, and natural disasters. Terming the mission a significant step toward achieving Pakistan&rsquo;s Sustainable Development Goals, Sadiq said the accomplishment reflected &ldquo;the hard work, vision, and national commitment of the scientific community.&rdquo;&nbsp;He further noted that Parliament would continue to support SUPARCO and other scientific institutions &ldquo;to ensure Pakistan&rsquo;s prominent standing in the field of space research.&rdquo;&nbsp;The launch highlights the growing cooperation between Pakistan and China in peaceful space exploration and their shared pursuit of sustainable technological development.

Screengrab: Meta via @pakistanstrategicforum

Security

Pakistan’s HS-1 hyperspectral satellite features advanced imaging across hundreds of narrow spectral bands, enabling precise monitoring of land use, vegetation health, water resources, urban development, precision agriculture, disaster management, and sustainable infrastructure under CPEC initiatives.

Pakistan launches its first homegrown Hyperspectral Satellite from China

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to launch its first hyperspectral satellite, HS-1, into orbit tomorrow, marking a significant milestone in the country&rsquo;s advancement toward high-resolution space-based monitoring and data applications.&nbsp;In an official statement issued this week, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced that the HS-1 satellite will be launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC) in China.&nbsp;&ldquo;The launch of HS-1 marks a new era in the development of space-based applications in agriculture, disaster management, urban development, and environmental monitoring,&rdquo; SUPARCO said in the statement.&nbsp;Precision agriculture and food securityAccording to SUPARCO, the HS-1 satellite&rsquo;s hyperspectral imaging capabilities will enable precision farming by capturing detailed spectral data to assess crop health, soil moisture, and irrigation efficiency.&nbsp;&ldquo;The satellite will provide detailed insights into crop health, soil moisture, and irrigation patterns,&rdquo; the commission stated, adding that this technology is expected to improve crop yield estimation by 15&ndash;20 percent, contributing directly to national food security.&nbsp;Urban development and environmental monitoringThe agency said that HS-1 will also play a key role in urban planning and environmental management. Equipped with high-resolution sensors, the satellite will help map infrastructure, monitor environmental changes, and analyze patterns of urban expansion.&nbsp;&ldquo;It will support sustainable city planning, land-use assessment, and efficient resource management,&rdquo; SUPARCO noted.&nbsp;Disaster management and early warningSUPARCO emphasized that the satellite will be a critical tool for early warning systems and post-disaster response. Its advanced imaging technology will facilitate flood prediction, landslide tracking, and geo-hazard assessment, particularly in Pakistan&rsquo;s mountainous and seismically active regions such as the Karakoram Highway and northern areas.&nbsp;&ldquo;HS-1 will enhance disaster preparedness by providing timely data on floods, earthquakes, deforestation, and land degradation,&rdquo; the statement added.&nbsp;Space self-relianceThe launch of HS-1 is part of Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to strengthen its remote sensing capabilities and expand its space-based infrastructure. SUPARCO said the mission aligns with the National Space Policy and SUPARCO Vision 2047, which aim to position Pakistan as a regional leader in space technology and innovation.&nbsp;&ldquo;This mission reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to leveraging space technology for sustainable national development,&rdquo; SUPARCO concluded.

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Pakistan will launch its first hyperspectral satellite, HS-1, from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre tomorrow, enhancing capabilities in agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning under SUPARCO’s Vision 2047 for sustainable national development and space innovation.

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Pakistan launches its first homegrown Hyperspectral Satellite from China

Pakistan to launch first hyperspectral satellite from China today