Pakistan’s First Optical Remote Sensing Satellite: PRSS-1

Syed Samiullah
The Remote Sensing Satellite System (PRSS-1) is Pakistan’s first optical remote sensing satellite. It was launched on July 9, 2018, by LM-2C/SMA, a launch vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Center (JLSC), China. The satellite was initially developed by China’s Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and later it was sold to Pakistan.
On that same day, Pakistan sent its another flagship satellite, Pakistan Technology Evaluation Satellite-1A (PakTES-1A) indigenously designed and developed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Pakistan. It was co-launched with PRSS-1 by the same launch vehicle. PakTES-1A was a 285 kg satellite equipped with an optical payload commensurate with national needs. It had a design life of three years and was to operate at an altitude of 610 km.
Technical Specifications of PRSS-1
The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 (PRSS-1) brings a pretty high-resolution imaging capability to the country. PRSS-1 orbits the Earth in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), meaning it passes over the same location at the same solar time every day, ensuring consistent lighting for its images. This makes it an incredibly reliable tool for a wide range of applications.
Equipped with an electro-optical imaging system, PRSS-1 captures highly detailed images with a 0.98-meter resolution in panchromatic mode (a grayscale imaging technique used in photography and satellite imaging that combines red, green, and blue bands to create a single-band image) and 2.89 meters in multispectral mode (a technology that captures images using multiple bands of light, including visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet light across the electromagnetic spectrum). With a 4-day revisit time, it can provide fresh satellite data on any location, helping decision-makers respond quickly to changing conditions on the ground. The satellite was built to operate for seven years, providing a long-term source of valuable imagery. In addition to panchromatic and multispectral modes, its imaging capabilities include pan-sharpened mode (a data fusion technique that combines high-resolution panchromatic images with lower-resolution color images to create a high-resolution color image), which allows for different levels of detail and color enhancement to suit various needs.
Significance of prss-1 for Pakistan
The launch of PRSS-1 provided Pakistan with independent access to high-resolution satellite imagery. Previously, Pakistan relied on foreign satellites for remote sensing data, which often led to delays and high costs. The benefits of PRSS-1 span multiple sectors, making it a vital asset for national development:
1. Land mapping and urban planning: High-resolution imagery from PRSS-1 remains instrumental in land use classification, urban expansion monitoring, and infrastructure development. The data supports efficient planning and management of urban and rural areas, ensuring sustainable growth and effective resource allocation.
2. Agriculture and crop monitoring: Agriculture plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s economy, and PRSS-1 helps in crop assessment, yield estimation, and classification of agricultural land. By providing insights into soil conditions, vegetation health, and irrigation patterns, the satellite enhances precision farming techniques, leading to improved productivity and food security.
3. Environmental and climate monitoring: The satellite aids in monitoring deforestation, desertification, air pollution, and climate change impacts. By tracking environmental changes over time, policymakers can implement data-driven strategies to combat ecological degradation and promote conservation efforts.
4. Disaster management and relief operations: PRSS-1 also plays a crucial role in disaster management by providing real-time satellite imagery for floods, earthquakes, landslides, and other natural disasters. The satellite helps authorities assess damage, plan rescue operations, and ensure timely relief efforts, minimizing the impact of disasters on human lives and infrastructure.
5. Water resource management: With water scarcity being a growing concern for Pakistan, PRSS-1 enables efficient monitoring of freshwater sources, reservoirs, and river systems. The imagery helps identify potential sites for new water storage facilities and supports conservation strategies to ensure long-term water availability.
6. Support for CPEC and mega infrastructure projects: PRSS-1 contribution to the monitoring and planning of large-scale infrastructure projects, including those under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is of great importance. The satellite provides high-resolution imagery to track construction progress, analyze land suitability, and enhance project execution efficiency.
7. National afforestation campaigns: The satellite data is also being utilized in tree plantation drives and afforestation projects, aiding in site selection and tracking the effectiveness of reforestation efforts across the country.
Ground stations and data accessibility
To maximize the benefits of PRSS-1, two ground stations have been established in Islamabad and Karachi for satellite operations, image reception, processing, and data archiving. These stations allow Pakistani users to access high-quality satellite imagery directly, reducing dependency on foreign sources.
Additionally, SUPARCO (Pakistan’s National Space Agency) has launched a dedicated web portal where users can browse, order, and download satellite imagery products. This initiative enhances accessibility and encourages stakeholders from various industries to utilize satellite data for research, development, and operational purposes.
Conclusion
The launch of PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A marked a new era of space technology in Pakistan, enabling the country to achieve self-reliance in satellite-based earth observation. With continuous improvements and further advancements in space technology, Pakistan is now on the path to expanding its space exploration capabilities continuously, which will further contribute to national progress and scientific innovation.
The author is the head of the Research Department at Rabita Forum International (RFI) and Associate Editor of Monthly Interaction.