HS-1 hyperspectral satellite set for Oct 19 launch by Suparco

Pakistan’s space agency announced on Wednesday, that the country’s first hyperspectral satellite (HS-1) is set to launch on October 19 from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.

Hyperspectral imaging is a method that captures and analyses light from across a wide range of wavelengths. It collects detailed color information for every tiny part (pixel) of an image.

This helps us identify different objects or materials based on their unique light patterns, called spectral signatures, kind of like a fingerprint made of light.

The electromagnetic spectrum includes all types of light, from long radio waves to short gamma rays. It covers microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, and X-rays, most of which are invisible to the human eye.

According to a statement from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the launch is a “landmark mission [which] represents a transformative milestone in Pakistan’s national space programme, propelling the country into a new era of advanced space-based applications in agriculture, disaster management, urban development, and environmental monitoring.”

In agriculture, HS-1 will support precision farming by providing high-resolution hyperspectral data for better monitoring and calibration of crops.

The statement further said that the satellite’s “cutting-edge sensors” will help monitor environmental changes, map infrastructure, and assess urban growth patterns for urban development.

“By capturing unique spectral signatures of man-made structures, HS-1 will support sustainable city planning, land-use assessment, and efficient resource management,” said Suparco.