Pakistan is set to take another major step in strengthening its space technology and geospatial infrastructure as SUPARCO prepares to launch a new Earth Observation satellite on December 25, 2025. The mission marks a strategic milestone for the country’s expanding capabilities in satellite imaging, monitoring and digital connectivity.
The new satellite will replace the ageing Paksat-1R, which was placed in orbit in August 2011 and is nearing the end of its 15-year design life. While Paksat-1R served as a vital communications asset, SUPARCO has shifted toward a broader space strategy in recent years, focusing on Earth observation, satellite mapping and advanced data collection systems.
Reports indicate that the upcoming satellite will significantly boost Pakistan’s geospatial services, providing higher-resolution imagery for national planning and monitoring. The mission is expected to support sectors such as environmental assessment, agriculture, national security, disaster management and urban development.
The launch aligns with SUPARCO’s ongoing efforts to modernize its satellite fleet. Earlier this year, the agency successfully launched two next-generation remote-sensing satellites, EO-1 and KS-1, in July 2025. These systems strengthened Pakistan’s capacity for real-time imaging and enhanced data coverage across key regions.
The new satellite also joins Pakistan’s expansion into hyperspectral imaging. On October 19, 2025, SUPARCO launched HS-1, the country’s first hyperspectral satellite, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China. HS-1 is capable of capturing data across hundreds of spectral bands, offering unprecedented detail for crop health analysis, climate monitoring, mineral detection and land-use mapping.
Although PakSat-MM1, launched in May 2024, has already taken over much of the country’s communication-satellite workload, the latest mission is expected to indirectly support digital connectivity through improved monitoring and network planning infrastructure.
Officials describe the December launch as a major stride toward a more advanced and self-reliant national space programme. It underscores Pakistan’s growing commitment to leveraging cutting-edge satellite technology for development, strategic readiness and the country’s broader digital transformation.
With preparations in full swing, the mission is widely regarded as a defining moment for SUPARCO’s new era of innovation, marking Pakistan’s rising profile in global Earth-observation and space-technology domains.
