China Launches Third Pakistani Satellite in 2023 Deepening Space Cooperation Between All-Weather Allies

China has successfully launched Pakistan's remote sensing satellite (PRSS-2) alongside two of its own satellites using a single rocket, marking another milestone in space cooperation between the two nations.

The launch took place on Sunday from a commercial aerospace innovation zone in northwest China, where a Lijian-1 Y8 carrier rocket transported the Pakistani satellite along with China's AIRSAT 03 and 04 satellites. All three satellites were successfully deployed into their planned orbits.

This represents the third Pakistani satellite launched by China in 2023 alone, following the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) in July and PRSC-EO1 in January, demonstrating the growing space collaboration between the two countries.

China has been consistently supporting Pakistan's space initiatives in recent years. Last year, China launched a multi-mission communication satellite for Pakistan, expanding their strategic alliance into space technology.

The partnership in space missions dates back to 2018, when China sent two Pakistani satellites into orbit - the PRSS-1, which was Pakistan's first optical remote sensing satellite, and the PakTES-1A, a smaller observation craft.

This continued collaboration in satellite launches highlights the strengthening ties between the two all-weather allies, with China providing crucial support for Pakistan's growing space program.