By: Azhar Azam
China successfully launched for Pakistan the remote sensing satellite (RSS) – Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) – to the designated orbits on 09-July-2018 to monitor China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative.
The PRSS-1 also accompanied Pakistan’s indigenously built experimental space satellite – Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite (PakTES-1A). Both the satellites were launched by Long March-2C/SMA launch vehicle.
Remote sensing is a technology of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance. It incorporates sensors onboard which record and transmit activities of object or area through satellite, aircraft, balloon or space shuttle.
The agreement of PRSS-1 program was signed between Pakistan’s SUPRCO and China Great Wall Industry Cooperation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in April 2016.
PRSS-1 is based on CAST 2000 Program and is designated and manufactured by DFH Satellite Co. Ltd. (DFHSat) of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), another subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The remote sensing satellite system has the capability to perform day and night monitoring and encompasses viewing capacity even in clouded conditions. It will make Pakistan self-reliant in multi-spectral imaging and will save hard-money by bringing the crucial space capability at home.
When flies over Pakistan, the satellite can send back real-time images with two best-exported remote sensing cameras. Each of the two cameras has independent image processing, storage, and transmission capability. Its designated life is seven years.
It has the same data transmission system, a mature technology, which is used in more than 20 satellites launched by China – told He Xinyang, vice president of the Xi’an branch of CAST.
The PRSS-1 will outspread economic and defense cooperation between the countries to space collaboration; aiding Pakistan to observe the movements of internal and external security threats in the long run as well.
The information PRSS-1 obtains will also broadly be used in agriculture, urban planning, resource management, mineral exploration, telecommunication, national spatial data infrastructure, and disaster monitoring and management as well as improving border security, surveillance and reconnaissance.
PRSS-1 is the 17th satellite developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for an overseas buyer and first optical remote sensing satellite sold to Pakistan. Earlier, China had manufactured two remote sensing satellites for Venezuela.
During the development phase of PRSS-1, Chinese scientists have greatly helped to train Pakistan technologists on its operation. French experts also were invited to oversee the manufacturing of the satellite’s key components.
In addition to the supply of satellite, China will also transfer space technology to Pakistan and will provide in-orbit testing, personnel training, and technical support.
Pakistan launched its first satellite, Badr-1, on July 1990 from a Chinese launcher Long March 2E (LM-2E) with objectives to establish infrastructure for future satellite development programs, to test the performance of indigenous developed satellite subsystems, and to experiment in real-time voice and data communications.
In August 2011, Pakistan also launched first communication satellite, PAKSAT-1R, on board China’s Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to replace the existing satellite PAKSAT-1.
PAKSAT-1R has a lifecycle of 15 years and can provide TV broadcasting, internet and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and Far East.