To Keep An Eye On India, 2 Pak Spy Satellites Launched By China

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
China launched the satellites from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center this morning.New Delhi: In a significant development for Pakistan,
twin satellites meant to keep an eye on India were launched into space by its all-time ally China today
Chinese rocket Long March-2C (LM-2C) launched Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite -1 or PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A satellites from the Jiuquan
Satellite Launch Center in northwest China this morning
While India is way ahead of Pakistan in space technology, today's development opens a door for Pakistan to catch up.The launch of the
satellites marks yet another space cooperation between China and Pakistan since the launch of PAKSAT-1R, a communication satellite, in
August 2011.Of the two satellites, the PakTES-1A was developed by Pakistan, whereas the PRSS-1 was made by China
The PRSS-1 is China's first optical remote sensing satellite sold to Pakistan
It is the 17th satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for an overseas buyer.Today's launch is the 279th mission
of the Long March rocket series
Long March-2C rockets are mainly used to send satellites into low Earth or Sun-synchronous orbits.The satellites are also expected to play a
positive role in the development of Pakistan's economy.It is also the first international commercial launch for a Long March-2C rocket
within nearly two decades after it carried Motorola's Iridium satellites into orbit in 1999.The PRSS-1 satellite will be used for land and
resources surveying, monitoring of natural disasters, agriculture research, urban construction and to provide remote sensing information for
China's "Belt and Road" mega-project
These satellites will also help Pakistan to keep a track of India.The satellites are also expected to play a positive role in the
development of Pakistan's economy.However, in comparison India has 43 operational satellites in space
India also has the radar imaging satellites with all-weather surveillance capability
India used images gathered from its satellites for the surgical strikes it carried out in 2016.