EDIT: Adding 2.5m GSD image sample, the old picture was deleted from internet and is no longer available.
It have been announced that Pakistan is to launch first indigenous Remote Sensing Satellite System (RSSS) with in 2011.
there have been certain speculation about the capabilities of the system. i have been studying the project since NCA approved Space Program 2040 a few months back. have studied the first PRSSS and here are a few fact that i have come up with:
Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite - PRSS
First to understand the concept of remote sensing satellite, remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object.
Pakistan plan to launch its first indigenous RSSS in 2011. After the success of BADR series of experimental satellites, BADAR 1 and 2, Pakistan now plans to launch high resolution remote sensing satellite system (RSSS) for satellite imagery. The
BADR family of satellite was all Low Earth Observational satellites that can take low resolution low quality images of the earth.
BADR-II carried Earth Imaging Payload on experimental basis which was a success. The primary use was experimental base, it provided the scientists with necessary know how to develop space satellites. Moreover, they are also useful to take images of earth with lesser resolution that can be used to monitor crop areas, forest area, flood damage etc.
Going forward with the Space Program 2040, the two first targets are:
1- Launch of High Resolution Optical imagery satellite.(Remote Sensing Satellite System/RSSS)
2- Launch of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Satellites.
Remote Sensing Satellite System:
The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS) or RSSS is being developed as a
dual purpose Earth observational and optical satellite which is scheduled to launch by the end year of 2011 for the replacement of BADR-II satellite.
The satellite is being manufacture indigenously in Lahore SUPARCO center. The satellite will be equipped with very high resolution radio meter and possibly a SAR.(Synthetic Aperture Radar)
RSSS is planned to be a progressive and sustainable program.
Initially, SUPARCO plans to launch an optical satellite with
payload of 2.5 meter PAN in 700 km sun-synchronous orbit by the end of year 2011.
For reference 2.5m GSD image will look like:
View attachment 242869
The RSSS will be significant as it will be a dual purpose satellite. Will be able to take High Resolution images of earth that will be used for military as well as civilian use.
The High Resolution Images can be used for:
Earth Observation:
Annual crop estimation so that import or exports can be planned accordingly.
Detection of mineral resources.
Detection of underground water and mineral resources for better utilization.
Snow melting for better regulation of water at water reservoirs, avoiding floods.
Forest monitoring.
Flood control and risk area management
Urban planning
Weather Prediction
Oceanography
From military point of view, it will help:
Border area mapping.
Mapping of possible battle fields for better strategic placement of forces.
Detection of nuclear fall out.
Detection of key enemy installation.
Limited Navigation system
An important thing to note here is that the PRSS will also be equipped with a SAR. This will provide Pakistan with essential know how of operating high tech space satellites and will pave way for future space expeditions.
(What we need to understand is that the navigation facilities provided with this will be limited and not something like GPS. (US GPS system consists of around 32 Satellites covering all of the world). Also note that the Satellite is planned to equipped to take 2.5m GSD images(reference above). There are companies available that sell satellite images of up to 0.5m GSD commercially. So don’t expect the first Pakistani effort to be something like a James Bond Movie. However a fact that might make you feel better is that the Indian RSS have a GSD of about 2.5m as well)
Nonetheless, it will still give very valuable navigation facilities and images that cannot be sanctioned and it is highly likely that in case of war, the international community wont be giving us any help. Here the indigenous RSSS will come into play. The most important thing is that the successful development of the satellite will be followed by a series of optical and SAR satellites in future.
Note:
the article has been extracted and compiled from multiple sources available on internet and have been verified from a SUPARCO engineer - ARSALAN ASLAM.
