Pakistan to Launch First Hyperspectral Satellite HS-1

Pakistan is set to make history with the launch of its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) on October 19, 2025, from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC). The move marks a major milestone in the country’s space technology program, led by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), aimed at advancing agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management through high-resolution satellite data.

Pakistan’s journey into satellite technology began with the PRSS-1 (2018), followed by EO-1 (January 2025) and KS-1 (July 2025). The addition of HS-1 expands this fleet, further enhancing national capabilities in environmental monitoring, climate adaptation, and remote sensing.

Satellite Features and Benefits

The HS-1 satellite is equipped with advanced hyperspectral sensors capable of capturing data across hundreds of spectral bands  far beyond traditional imaging satellites. This technology will enable:

According to SUPARCO officials,

“HS-1 will redefine how Pakistan manages its natural and urban resources. The data will be crucial for precision agriculture, infrastructure planning, and climate resilience.”

The satellite’s high-resolution data will play a pivotal role in national food security, environmental sustainability, and economic planning, providing real-time monitoring of deforestation, glacial melting, and water resource management especially in sensitive northern regions and the Karakoram Highway corridor.

In summary, HS-1’s launch signals Pakistan’s growing commitment to space technology and sustainable development, marking a transformative step toward self-reliance in Earth observation and geospatial intelligence.