About Us
A Legacy of Harnessing Space Technology for National Resilience
For fifty years, SUPARCO defined Pakistan’s reach into space. Now, we turn that vantage point back to Earth. As the National Space Agency, we have operationalized the Space4Climate initiative, utilizing our Space assets including PRSS-1 and the Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) to address climate-related challenges. We don’t just observe; we generate the actionable intelligence needed to secure a sustainable future for the nation.
Space Applications Center for Climate Sciences (SACCS) – Advancing Climate Science Through Space Capabilities
SACCS is the command center for Pakistan’s climate defense. leveraging indigenous satellites to track the planet’s vital signs. Our immediate radar locks onto six Essential Climate Variables (ECVs): Snow, Forests, Land Cover, Aerosols, Greenhouse Gases, and Mangroves. We transform raw data into vulnerability maps, bridging the gap between space tech and survival policy.
Focused Areas
We operate through specialized integrated facilities:
– SACRED (Disaster Response): Our rapid-response hub. We provide real-time hazard alerts and damage assessments during floods and earthquakes, serving as the critical link for on-ground responders.
– Earth Sciences: We monitor the “water tower” dynamics glacier melt and coastal shifts that dictate Pakistan’s water security.
– Atmospheric Research: We track the air you breathe. From smog tracking to greenhouse gas profiling, we support clean air initiatives with evidence-based data.
– Geoforestry: We audit Pakistan’s green assets, mapping forest cover and mangrove ecosystems to fight carbon emissions.
– International Research: We position Pakistan as a global leader in climate exchange, co-developing solutions with the world’s top space agencies.
Message from the Director General, SACCS
The vision of SUPARCO’s founders was to harness space for national progress. Today, that vision
finds its most urgent expression in our fight against climate change.
At the Space Applications Center for Climate Sciences, we are proud to continue this legacy by
deploying Pakistan’s own eyes in the sky—our PRSS-1,
PakTES-1A, and revolutionary Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1).
Our mission is to translate this technological prowess into tangible benefits for Pakistan.
We are not just collecting data; we are generating authoritative knowledge on essential climate
variables that include glacier retreat, forest carbon, sea surface temperatures, coastal
vulnerability, and others. This knowledge is the cornerstone of evidence-based policy, smart
resource management, and empowered collective action.
We stand at the intersection of a proud history and a demanding future, committed to ensuring
that space technology remains a decisive tool for Pakistan’s climate resilience and sustainable
development.
Dr. Muhammad Farooq
Director-General SACCS, SUPARCO
Responsibilities
The Space Applications Centre for Climate Sciences is organized into focused directorates that together provide operational monitoring, scientific analysis, and international collaboration to support climate resilience.
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SACRED – Space Application Centre for Response in Emergency & Disaster
The Space Application Centre for Response in Emergency & Disaster (SACRED) serves as our operational hub for rapid satellite-based situational awareness during crises. By leveraging automated change detection and rapid mapping technologies, we provide real-time hazard alerts and critical damage assessments. SACRED functions as the key liaison between satellite intelligence and on-ground emergency responders, ensuring timely and data-driven actions during floods, earthquakes, and other natural calamities.
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Earth Sciences – Cryospheric & Hydrological Systems Monitoring
Our Earth Sciences department specializes in monitoring the dynamic systems of ice and water that are critical to Pakistan’s climate resilience. We conduct detailed assessments of glacier dynamics, glacial lake formation, and coastal changes, while integrating satellite data into advanced hydro-forecasting models. This work provides foundational intelligence for managing water resources, mitigating flood risks, and understanding long-term environmental shifts in our mountainous and coastal regions.
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Atmospheric Research – Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Monitoring
The Atmospheric Research team focuses on deciphering the composition of our air to address both public health and climate policy. We develop monitoring products that track aerosols, pollutants, and key greenhouse gases. Our work enables the creation of real-time air quality dashboards for urban centers and contributes vital data on emission trends, supporting national efforts toward cleaner air and informed climate action.
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Geoforestry – Forest & Mangrove Ecosystem Monitoring
Geoforestry applies advanced geospatial analytics to the stewardship of Pakistan’s vital forest and mangrove ecosystems. We specialize in precise mapping of forest cover, tracking deforestation and degradation, and assessing carbon stocks. Our monitoring extends to the unique mangrove forests along the coast, providing essential data for conservation strategies, biodiversity protection, and national carbon accounting initiatives.
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International Scientific Research Exchange – Global Partnerships & Capacity Building
The Directorate of International Scientific Research Exchange is the cornerstone of SUPARCO’s global engagement in climate science. We build and sustain strategic partnerships with leading space agencies and research institutions worldwide. Our mandate is to co-develop collaborative research programs, facilitate data sharing and technical validation, and lead international training initiatives. These efforts are designed to amplify Pakistan’s scientific capacity, integrate global best practices, and position the nation as a contributor and leader in the global exchange of climate intelligence.
MESSAGE FROM DG SACCS
At SUPARCO , we believe that space technology plays a transformative role in understanding and combating climate change. Through our fleet of Earth observation satellites, including our recently launched Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) , PRSS-1 , and PakTES-1A , we are positioned to provide high-resolution, real-time data essential for evidence-based decision-making and sustainable resource management.