China today launched two satellites for Pakistan that, among other things, are meant to keep an eye on India. One of them — the PRSS-1 — is a remote sensing satellite built by China. The other — PakTES-1A – is Pakistan’s indigenously developed scientific experiment satellite. The two were launched this morning on Chinese rocket Long March-2C from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The remote-sensing PRSS-1 satellite can carry out day and night monitoring, and it has viewing capacity even in clouded conditions.
The launch of the satellites marks yet another space cooperation between China and Pakistan since the launch of PAKSAT-1R, a communication satellite, in August 2011
The satellite would be used for land and resources surveying, monitoring of natural disasters, agriculture research, urban construction and to provide remote sensing information for China’s “Belt and Road” mega-project. Scientists said it would also help Pakistan keep watch on India.
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The launch of the satellites marks yet another instance of Pakistan’s space cooperation with China, its Number One ally. In August 2011, China had launched PAKSAT-1R, a communication satellite. Pakistan, which already had five satellites in space, lacks heavy duty launchers and satellite fabrication facilities.
Three years ago, Pakistan opted out of India’s project for a “South Asia Satellite”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “gift” to SAARC countries was an extension of his “Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas” ideology to India’s neighbourhood, where China is extending its influence.
The PRSS-1 is the first optical remote sensing satellite China sold to Pakistan. It is the 17th satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology for an overseas buyer.