New Satellite Launch to Help Pakistan in Disaster Management

Satellite EO-1 will be launched from a centre in China on January 17

Thu Jan 16 2025
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Key points

  • The launch to show Pakistan’s technological capabilities in space science
  • To increase country’s ability to monitor and manage resources
  • EO-1 to provide timely updates in cases of natural disasters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced the upcoming launch of Pakistan’s Indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) Satellite from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC), China, on the 17th of January 2025.

According to SUPARCO, the launch of the indigenous EO-1 mission shows SUPARCO’s dedication and skills in advancing Pakistan’s technological capabilities in space science and innovation.

This indigenously developed satellite showcases a significant achievement in Pakistan’s space technology journey and is poised to increase the country’s ability to monitor and manage natural resources, predict and respond to natural disasters, support food security, and drive economic growth through informed decision-making and sustainable development.

EO-1 potential benefits

The EO-1 satellite offers substantial benefits across various sectors in Pakistan.

In agriculture, it will enable precision farming by monitoring crops, assessing irrigation needs, predicting yields, and supporting food security initiatives.

For urban development, the satellite will assist in tracking infrastructure growth, managing urban sprawl, and aiding city & regional planning efforts.

In environmental monitoring and disaster management, it will provide timely updates on floods, landslides, earthquakes, deforestation, and land erosion.

In recent years, satellite technology has been able to provide accurate and reliable data using a range of high-resolution, multispectral imaging techniques.

Help in Disaster Management

During storms and other disasters, quick response time is vital to saving lives and minimizing risks. Accurate, real-time data enables restoration teams to dispatch aid to high-priority sectors immediately.

Satellites provide accurate, continuous, and near real-time data of large areas anywhere on Earth, irrespective of weather, time, or terrain.

Continuous monitoring of wildfires, leakages, and faulty assets is key to risk identification and control. Satellites can provide that continuous stream of data by monitoring areas of interest to help utilities identify risks and prepare for disasters.

When disasters strike, satellites sit safely above the Earth’s atmosphere and can produce up-to-date macro information on huge areas.

This data — combined with cutting-edge analysis techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine Learning (ML) — yield important insights about a natural disaster.

Predictive analytics

Satellite data coupled with predictive analytics and AI create actionable insights and recommendations.

This data can be used to forecast droughts, monitor floods, map wildfires, respond to earthquakes, and prepare for cyclones, hurricanes and other major events.

Satellites can provide valuable inputs for accurate prediction and rapid assessment of disaster locations and the extent of damage.

Additionally, it will support extraction and conservation strategies for natural resources, including monitoring of minerals, oil and gas fields, glacier recession, and water resources.

The launch of the EO-1 satellite marks a momentous milestone in Pakistan’s space journey.

National progress

This achievement is set to position advanced space technology capabilities at the forefront of national progress and development, aligning with the goals of the National Space Policy.

This follows the May 2024 launch of PAKSAT MM1, Pakistan’s first multi-mission satellite, from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Positioned 36,000 kilometers above Earth, PAKSAT MM1 features advanced communication technology with a 15-year lifespan, enhancing internet speed, e-commerce, and e-governance.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the launch, emphasizing its impact on Pakistan’s communication systems and economic growth.

SUPARCO also has two Earth Observation Satellites called Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) and Pakistan Technical Evaluation Satellite (PakTES-1A).

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