Pakistan Set to Launch First Hyperspectral Satellite on October 19
Tanveer Ahmed :
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced the upcoming launch of Pakistan’s first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1), scheduled for October 19, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in China.
Designed to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring, the HS-1 represents a major leap forward in the country’s space and remote sensing technology.
In the agriculture sector, HS-1 will support precision farming by capturing high-resolution hyperspectral data. The system will enable detailed analysis of crop health, soil moisture, and irrigation efficiency, improving yield forecasts by 15–20% and helping to strengthen national food security.
For urban development, the satellite’s advanced imaging sensors will help track environmental changes, infrastructure growth, and city expansion. By detecting spectral variations in built environments, HS-1 will play a crucial role in sustainable city planning, land-use mapping, and smart resource management.
In the area of environmental monitoring and disaster response, the satellite will act as an early warning and assessment tool. Its imaging capabilities will help authorities predict floods, monitor landslides, and identify geological risks—especially in vulnerable regions such as the Karakoram Highway and northern Pakistan. The data will also aid in post-disaster evaluation, transportation analysis, and water resource modeling, offering timely insights into deforestation, earthquakes, and land degradation.
The launch of HS-1 will further expand Pakistan’s growing remote sensing satellite network, which already includes PRSS-1 (launched in July 2018), EO-1 (January 2025), and KS-1 (July 2025). Together, these satellites will enhance SUPARCO’s space-based infrastructure, providing vital data for national development and security.
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