Pakistan Launches Indigenous Electro-Optical Satellite From China

Islamabad: Pakistan successfully launched an indigenous electro-optical satellite on Saturday, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling it a “major milestone” that will boost its remote sensing capabilities.

The satellite was launched from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) said in a statement.

“Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has successfully launched its indigenous electro-optical satellite (EO-3) from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, marking another major milestone in the country’s space capabilities,” FO said in a statement on X. he said.

“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 improved imaging accuracy, an advanced energy storage system, and an onboard AI-powered data processing unit to provide real-time analysis and intelligent decision support.” he said.

The addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s fleet of Earth Observation satellites “significantly increases national capabilities in remote sensing.”

“The integrated system will enhance data continuity, imaging reliability and analytical precision, supporting applications across Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors,” FO said.

Separately, the military said the satellite would provide imaging data that would “revolutionize urban planning, disaster management, food security and environmental protection.”

President Asif Ali Zardari, who went to China for a visit on Saturday, described the launch as a “historical milestone” in his statement.

The first domestic Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northern China in January 2025.

In early February, the second domestic Earth Observation Satellite EO-2 was successfully launched from China’s Yangjiang Seashore Launch Center.