China launches two satellites for Pakistan, CPEC project
New Delhi : China, on July 9, successfully launched two remote sensing satellites for Pakistan, which is believed to help the two countries monitor progress as they build the strategic USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Indeed, the launch of satellites is space cooperation between China and Pakistan since the launch of PAKSAT-1R, a communication satellite, in August 2011.
The two satellites namely, PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A were launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 11:56 am using a Long March-2C rocket, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The PRSS-1 is China's first optical remote sensing satellite for Pakistan. It is the 17th satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for an overseas buyer, it said.
Also, PakTES-1A, a scientific experiment satellite which has been developed by engineers of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), was sent into the orbit using the same rocket.
CAST confirmed that the satellite after entering orbit is in good condition with its solar panels unfolded smoothly.
Experts say that the PRSS-1 will be used for land and resources surveying, monitoring of natural disasters, agriculture research, urban construction and providing remote sensing information for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of the Chinese government.
The PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A will play significant role in the development of Pakistan's economy and improve the lives of people. In addition, it will also provide space remote sensing information services for the CPEC, which is flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The camera installed in the satellite has independent image processing, storage and transmission capability. The design of lossless compression could deeply improve the quality of the images, according to the designers.
Scientists also added that a specially designed orbit will ensure the satellite operates steadily and will optimise the image quality. The satellite can turn at wide angles to enable the cameras to cover a wider range. The PRSS-1 has an information security design, and the data can be encrypted.
“The data transmission system is a mature technology, which has been used in more than 20 Chinese satellites,” said He Xinyang, vice president of the Xi'an branch of the CAST.
“When the satellite flies over Pakistan, it can send back real-time images,” said Zhang Qian, a designer for the data transmission system.
