UPDATE - China launches Pakistan’s 1st home-built satellite into space

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM FOREIGN MINISTER, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – China successfully launched Pakistan’s first home-built satellite into orbit on Friday, officials said.

The Chinese-built Long March-2D rocket also carried the Tianlu-1 satellite and the Lantan-1 satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in the northwestern part of China.

The electro-optical PRSC-EO1 satellite has been built under the supervision of Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).

“This significant achievement in Pakistan’s space journey is poised to enhance country’s ability to monitor natural resources, predict and respond to natural disasters, support food security through precision cropping, and drive economic growth through informed decision making,” the country’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on X.

Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s envoy to China, said the launch of the PRSC-EO1 satellite marked “another milestone in Pakistan's space journey and space collaboration to advance socio-economic development.”

The satellite successfully entered its intended orbit and this was the 556th launch mission in the Long March rocket series.

Last May, China launched Pakistan’s second communication satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.

Earlier that month, Pakistan's maiden lunar satellite iCube was launched aboard China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe on May 3.