Pakistan’s HS-1 Satellite to Aid Climate, Agriculture Goals

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan achieved another milestone in its space journey with the successful launch of its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC), the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced on Saturday.

Live footage of the launch was broadcast from SUPARCO’s headquarters in Karachi, where Pakistani scientists and engineers monitored the mission in real time.

A SUPARCO spokesperson said that the HS-1 satellite marks a “major milestone” in Pakistan’s National Space Policy and Vision 2047, enabling the country to enhance its capabilities in environmental monitoring, disaster management, and sustainable development.

“This advanced satellite will support flood forecasting, landslide detection, and real-time monitoring of environmental changes and geological hazards,” the spokesperson said, adding that it will also aid in urban planning, infrastructure mapping, and agricultural productivity.

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According to SUPARCO, HS-1 is Pakistan’s third satellite launched this year, following the successful EO-1 and KS-1 missions, both of which are currently operational in orbit.

The agency described HS-1 as a “major leap forward” in Pakistan’s space technology, integrating hyperspectral imaging with high-resolution data applications across multiple sectors.

In agriculture, the satellite’s hyperspectral sensors will enable precision farming by analyzing crop health, soil moisture, and irrigation trends—potentially improving yield estimation by 15–20% and contributing to national food security.

In urban development, HS-1 will provide detailed spectral imaging to map infrastructure, assess urban expansion, and support sustainable city planning through improved land-use analysis and resource management.

For environmental monitoring and disaster response, the new satellite will enhance flood prediction, landslide detection, and geo-hazard assessment, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Karakoram Highway and northern Pakistan. The data will also assist in post-disaster evaluations, transportation planning, and deforestation monitoring.

HS-1 will operate in coordination with Pakistan’s expanding remote-sensing satellite fleet, including PRSS-1 (launched in 2018), EO-1 (January 2025), and KS-1 (July 2025), collectively strengthening the country’s space-based infrastructure and data capabilities.

SUPARCO said the mission underscores Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging space science for national development and reflects the country’s ambition to emerge as a leading spacefaring nation by 2047.