China Launches Pakistan’s Rockets from Sea, Boosting Space Power

New Delhi: China successfully launched a Smart Dragon‑3 (SD‑3) commercial rocket from a maritime platform off the coast of Yangjiang in Guangdong Province.

The SD‑3 carrier rocket placed seven satellites into planned orbits, among them Pakistan’s PRSC‑EO2 Earth observation satellite, marking a notable milestone in space cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad. 

The offshore launch occurred at approximately 2:37 p.m. Beijing Time, when the SD‑3 rocket lifted off from waters near Yangjiang and successfully deployed all seven payloads into their designated orbits, according to official reports. The mission was carried out by China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, a key facility responsible for coordinating launch operations for both government and commercial space programmes. 

The inclusion of the PRSC‑EO2 satellite in the launch, developed by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), represents an important step in Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to enhance its space infrastructure. 

PRSC‑EO2 is Pakistan’s second indigenous Earth observation satellite, designed to collect high‑resolution imagery of the planet’s surface for a variety of applications. 

SUPARCO officials said the satellite will be used for planning, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, disaster response and strategic decision‑making. 

According to SUPARCO statements, PRSC‑EO2 was conceived, engineered and integrated within Pakistan, reflecting the country’s growing capabilities in satellite design, payload integration, testing and mission readiness. The project involved in‑house research and systems engineering at SUPARCO’s Satellite Research and Development Centre, which has overseen the expansion of Pakistan’s space programme. 

The EO‑2 satellite will operate in coordination with Pakistan’s previously launched EO‑1 satellite, enabling improved continuity and analytical reliability by observing the Earth under different illumination conditions. This cooperation between the satellites is expected to support a broader range of national applications and improve the accuracy and availability of Earth observation data across disciplines. 

SUPARCO officials described the PRSC‑EO2 launch as a significant achievement for Pakistan’s space journey and self‑reliance in advanced satellite technology. The availability of high‑resolution remote‑sensing data is expected to support sectors such as urban planning, disaster management, climate analysis, resource mapping and infrastructure development. 

The successful deployment of seven satellites also reflects the broader ambitions of China’s commercial space sector, which is increasingly offering launch services for both domestic and international customers. The SD‑3 rocket, developed by private aerospace firms in partnership with state research institutions, is part of China’s expanding portfolio of launch vehicles designed to meet rising global demand for satellite deployment. 

China’s use of sea‑based launch platforms is a comparatively recent advancement in the country’s space strategy. Launching from maritime locations provides logistical flexibility and reduces constraints associated with traditional land‑based launch sites. It also allows launch