Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite

The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS), commercially known as Remote Sensing Satellite System (RSSS), is a dual-purpose Earth observational and optical satellite. Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-1) was launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Centre on 9 July 2018.[1]

PRSS-1
Mission typeOceanography and Meteorology
Earth observation satellite
GIS and GPS
OperatorSUPARCO
COSPAR ID2018-056B
SATCAT no.43530
WebsiteSUPARCO.gov.pk
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerDFH Satellite Co. Ltd.
Power600 watts
Start of mission
Launch date9 July 2018, 03:56:10 UTC
RocketLong March 2C
Launch siteJiuquan Satellite Launch Center
ContractorChina
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
Altitude700 km
Inclination38.280°
Period99.31 minutes
 

History

After successful launching and operation of Badr satellite programme which contained the experimental Low Earth Observational satellites in the 1990s and early 2000s, SUPARCO launched the work on the high resolution Remote Sensing Satellite to meet the national and international user requirements in the field of satellite imagery.[2]

The PRSS program was planned to be a progressive and sustainable program with an initial plans to launch an optical satellite with payload of 2.5 metre PAN in 700 km Sun-synchronous orbit by the end of year 2014, which will be followed by a series of optical and SAR satellites in future. Necessary infrastructure for ground control and image reception and processing is also planned to be set up.[2] The satellites are under development process and they are being developed by SUPARCO.

In 2012, the first remote sensing satellite project was completed.[3] Suparco set up its own version of Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and immediately acquired the Beidou navigation system of China for this satellite in September 2012.[4]

Three satellites are under design by SUPARCO in collaboration with different universities throughout the country. According to SUPARCO, first satellite of this program was launched in 2018, and it is visioned to provide help in exploiting the potentials of space technologies for natural resource surveying and environmental purpose.[5]

Launch date

On 9 July 2018 at 03:56:10 UTC, China successfully launched two remote sensing satellites for Pakistan, which were launched to monitor progress as they build the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, an extensive multibillion-dollar infrastructure development project between the two nations. The satellites were named PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A, and were launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China using a Long March 2C launch vehicle. The PRSS-1 is China's first optical remote sensing satellite sold to Pakistan. It is the 17th satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology for an overseas buyer, while PakTES-1A is an experimental satellite of Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).[6][7]

References
  1. "Pakistan launches remote sensing satellite in China". DAWN. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  2. "Development of Satellite Facilities". www.suparco.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010.
  3. Irfan, Ghauri (4 May 2012). "Pakistan inches towards its first imaging satellite". The Tribune Express. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  4. "Suparco set to get global navigation satellite system". Dawn Newspapers. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  5. "Pakistan to launch Remote Sensing Satellite in 2014". Pakistan Observer. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  6. "China successfully launches 2 remote sensing satellites PRSS-1, PakTES-1A for close ally Pakistan".
  7. "Pakistan steps forward in astronomy and space sciences - Pakistan - DAWN.COM". 24 September 2018.
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