China Helps Pakistan Launch PRSC-EO3 Satellite into Orbit

Apr 26, 2026, 07:46

Introduction

China has successfully placed a Pakistani satellite, known as the PRSC-EO3, into its planned orbit following a launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre.

Main Body

On Saturday at 20:15 Beijing Time, a Long March-6 rocket carried the PRSC-EO3 satellite from a facility in Shanxi Province. This mission was the 640th flight of the Long March rocket series. The Xinhua News Agency reported that the satellite reached its intended path, although officials did not release specific details about the satellite's technical capabilities. This event marks the fourth time China has helped Pakistan launch a satellite since last year, when three similar missions took place. This trend suggests that the strategic partnership between the two countries is growing, particularly within the aerospace sector. Furthermore, the China Manned Space Agency confirmed that two Pakistani citizens arrived in Beijing on April 24 to begin training at the Astronaut Centre of China. After they complete the required courses and pass their evaluations, one person will be selected as a payload specialist. As a result, this individual would become the first non-Chinese citizen to visit the Tiangong space station.

Conclusion

The successful launch of the PRSC-EO3 and the start of astronaut training demonstrate the strengthening technical and strategic cooperation in space between China and Pakistan.

Vocabulary Learning

demonstrate (v.)
show / to show clearly that something exists or is true證明；展示
Example:The successful mission helps to demonstrate the strong cooperation between the two countries.
evaluation (n.)
assessment / the process of judging the quality or value of something評估；考核
Example:The astronauts must pass a series of difficult evaluations before they can go into space.
facility (n.)
building / a place or building used for a particular activity設施；場所
Example:The research facility in Shanxi Province is used for advanced satellite launches.
orbit (n.)
path / the curved path through which objects in space move軌道
Example:The satellite was successfully placed into its planned orbit around the Earth.
strategic (adj.)
tactical / helping to achieve a long-term plan or aim戰略性的；策略性的
Example:The two nations have formed a strategic partnership to improve their space technology.

Sentence Learning

The Xinhua News Agency reported that the satellite reached its intended path, although officials did not release specific details about the satellite's technical capabilities.
Linking Word - Contrast: 'Although' is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with the main clause, showing that some information is still missing.連接詞 — 對比: 「Although」(雖然) 用於引導一個與主句形成對比的陳述，顯示某些資訊仍然缺失。
This event marks the fourth time China has helped Pakistan launch a satellite since last year, when three similar missions took place.
Relative Clause: The relative adverb 'when' introduces a non-defining relative clause to add extra historical context about the time mentioned.關係子句: 關係副詞「when」引導一個非限定性關係子句，為提及的時間點增添額外的歷史背景資訊。
After they complete the required courses and pass their evaluations, one person will be selected as a payload specialist.
Passive Voice: The use of 'will be selected' shifts the focus to the outcome of the selection process rather than the agency performing it.被動語態: 使用「will be selected」(將被選拔) 將焦點轉移到選拔過程的結果，而非執行選拔的機構。
As a result, this individual would become the first non-Chinese citizen to visit the Tiangong space station.
Linking Word - Result: 'As a result' is used to connect the preceding training requirements to the significant outcome that follows.連接詞 — 結果: 「As a result」(結果) 用於將前述的培訓要求與隨後產生的重大結果聯繫起來。
China has successfully placed a Pakistani satellite, known as the PRSC-EO3, into its planned orbit following a launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre.
Reduced Relative Clause: 'Known as' functions as a reduced relative clause to identify the satellite without using 'which is'.縮略關係子句: 「Known as」(被稱為) 作為縮略關係子句，在不使用「which is」的情況下識別該衛星。