Pakistan Achieves First-Ever Sea Launch of Satellite From South China Sea

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Islamabad: Pakistan has marked a significant milestone in its space ambitions after successfully launching the PRSC-EO2 satellite into orbit from a seaborne rocket launch in the South China Sea, officials said Thursday. The mission represents the country’s first attempt to put one of its satellites into space using an offshore launch platform.

The satellite was carried into space aboard a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) carrier rocket that lifted off from waters off Guangdong province’s coast, operated by Chinese commercial and space authorities. It was part of a multi-satellite mission that included six other payloads, demonstrating growing cooperation in commercial space services.

Developed by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the PRSC-EO2 is the latest addition to the country’s Earth observation fleet. It follows previous missions such as the PRSC-EO1, expanding Pakistan’s capability to gather remote-sensing data for national planning, environmental monitoring and disaster response.

SUPARCO said the new satellite builds on the success of its earlier EO-series spacecraft and reflects the agency’s advancing technical expertise, spanning satellite design, integration and systems testing performed largely in Pakistan. The EO-2 instrument is expected to enhance analytical continuity and support a wide range of civilian applications.

Officials described the maritime launch as a breakthrough in launch operations, showcasing a flexible approach to deploying satellites and broadening Pakistan’s access to space. Using sea-based platforms can offer strategic advantages, including expanding launch windows and optimizing trajectory paths.

The successful deployment highlights continued Sino-Pakistani cooperation in space and technology, with China providing launch infrastructure and mission support. Analysts say this collaboration helps Pakistan accelerate its space agenda and integrate advanced orbital data into national development planning.

Photo: Image captured from video
The STRATCOM Bureau