SUPARCO Launches Pakistan’s First Hyperspectral Satellite to Strengthen Disaster Management

Jiuquan, China, 19 October 2025 – Marking a historic milestone in its national space program, Pakistan successfully launched its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) described the launch as a significant advancement that will enhance the country’s capacity for environmental monitoring and disaster response, ushering in a new phase of space technology for sustainable development.

A New Era in Hyperspectral Earth Observation

HS-1 implements hyperspectral imaging, which captures hundreds of narrow spectral bands beyond the red, green, and blue wavelengths of conventional satellite cameras. Hyperspectral cameras detect subtle variations in light that reveal changes invisible to standard sensors, enabling HS-1 to capture ultra-precise imagery of land, vegetation, water, and urban surfaces.

The data will empower national agencies to map crop vitality, track deforestation, monitor pollution and glacial melt, and manage soil moisture and water quality more effectively. HS-1 enhances Pakistan’s capacity in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management, supporting informed decision-making and sustainable resource use.

Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and Climate Resilience

HS-1 focuses on disaster management by improving early-warning systems and post-disaster assessments for floods and landslides, which frequently affect Pakistan’s northern regions. By integrating hyperspectral data into national response frameworks, SUPARCO can deliver faster, more accurate analyses of flood extents, slope stability, and recovery needs.

The satellite will also support sustainable infrastructure and environmental oversight, particularly within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). HS-1’s hyperspectral imaging enables early identification of geo-hazard risks and guides sustainable development planning, strengthening Pakistan’s resilience to climate-related challenges and promoting informed infrastructure growth.

HS-1 is a key milestone for Pakistan, aimed at expanding agricultural productivity, improving climate resilience, and enhancing natural resource management through advanced Earth observation. The project is a significant step in Pakistan’s space roadmap, contributing to its rise as a regional leader in sustainable space technology and reinforcing SUPARCO's commitment to using satellite technology for national progress.

Pakistan’s HS-1 Hyperspectral Satellite launched from China’s Jiuquan Centre, (c) Suparco
Pakistan’s HS-1 Hyperspectral Satellite launched from China’s Jiuquan Centre, (c) Suparco

Bilateral Cooperation through Space Diplomacy

Pakistan’s joint mission with China reinforced both countries' growing partnership in peaceful space exploration, following earlier joint remote-sensing satellite launches this year. The collaboration highlights the technical achievements of the Pakistani and Chinese teams, demonstrating their shared focus on advancing innovation for socioeconomic development.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistani scientists and engineers involved in the mission, declaring, “The cooperation between Pakistan and China in space research, like in other sectors, is exemplary and of key importance.” He added, “The satellite will significantly increase national capabilities in areas such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning and disaster management.”

The Path Toward a Sustainable Future

The HS-1 mission is part of Pakistan’s effort to expand its space program, which has launched three remote sensing satellites this year. The other two satellites, EO-1 and KS-1, are already fully operational. HS-1 will undergo approximately two months of calibration before becoming fully operational later this year, further strengthening Pakistan’s Earth observation capabilities in support of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development initiatives.