The Foreign Office (FO) said on Saturday that Pakistan had successfully launched an indigenous satellite from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, terming it a “significant milestone”.
“The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has successfully launched its indigenous electro-optical satellite (EO-3) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, marking another significant milestone in the nation’s space capabilities,” it said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.
“Beyond its core imaging mission, EO-3 carries advanced experimental payloads aimed at validating next-generation space technologies. These include a multi-geometry imaging module for enhanced imaging accuracy, an advanced energy storage system, and an onboard AI-powered data processing unit to enable real-time analysis and intelligent decision support,” it said.
It said that the addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s Earth Observation satellite fleet “significantly enhances national capabilities in remote sensing”.
“The integrated system will improve data continuity, imaging reliability, and analytical precision, supporting applications across Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors,” the FO said.
According to the statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended Suparco’s scientists and engineers on the achievement.
“He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to advancing Pakistan’s space programme and expressed appreciation for China’s continued cooperation in this domain,” it said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also extended his commendation, praising Suparco’s technical excellence and dedication.
“He described the successful launch as a reflection of Pakistan’s growing scientific capability and reiterated the government’s resolve to further strengthen the country’s presence in the space sector,” the statement concluded.
China’s Xinhua News said that the satellite was lifted off at 8:15 pm (Beijing time) by a long march-6 carrier rocket and “successfully entered its planned orbit”.
In February, the country marked a major achievement in its national space programme with the successful launch of its second indigenous Earth Observation Satellite, EO-2, from China’s Yangjiang Seashore Launch Centre.
In July 2025, Pakistan successfully launched a remote sensing satellite from a launch centre in China that aimed to strengthen the country’s agricultural monitoring and disaster management, among other capabilities.
