Pakistan Achieves First Sea-Based Satellite in South China Sea

Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in its space program with the successful launch of the PRSC-EO2 Earth observation satellite from a seaborne platform in the South China Sea. The landmark mission, carried out on February 13, 2026, marks Pakistan’s first-ever sea-based satellite launch, conducted in collaboration with Chinese commercial and space authorities. The PRSC-EO2 satellite, developed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), was launched aboard China’s Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) rocket from waters off Guangdong province as part of a multi-satellite mission. Designed to enhance Pakistan’s remote-sensing and Earth observation capabilities, the satellite will support applications in urban planning, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. SUPARCO noted that much of the satellite’s design, integration, and testing were completed domestically—reflecting growing national expertise in space technology. The maritime launch approach offers operational flexibility, allowing optimized trajectories and broader launch windows. This success underscores deepening Sino-Pakistani cooperation in space technology and highlights Islamabad’s ambitions to expand its autonomous access to space-based data for civilian and developmental uses.