In a groundbreaking moment for Pakistan, the nation’s inaugural satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar, has been successfully launched aboard China’s Chang’E6 spacecraft from Hainan, China.
The launch event was broadcast live on the IST website and Chinese state television.
Following the launch, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended congratulations to the nation and the scientific community for achieving this milestone in launching Pakistan’s first lunar orbit mission.
In a statement, the PM emphasized that ICUBE-Q satellite marks Pakistan’s initial foray into space exploration. He lauded Pakistani scientists, engineers, and skilled workers for showcasing their expertise in this field, akin to their accomplishments in nuclear technology.
The PM also commended the core committee of the Institute of Space Technology, notably Dr. Khurram Khurshid, along with all members of the SUPARCO team and participating students, for their contributions to the project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar congratulated students and scientists on the successful launch, highlighting the event as a testament to international cooperation in space exploration for mutual benefits.
According to Dr. Khurram Khurshid, a member of the Core Committee at the Institute of Space Technology, Pakistan’s satellite, hitching a ride on China’s Long March-5 rocket, is expected to enter lunar orbit within five days. It will conduct imaging of the moon’s surface over a period of three to six months, providing Pakistan with its own dataset for research purposes.
The satellite, developed in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University and Pakistan’s SUPARCO, is equipped with two optical cameras to capture images of the lunar surface. Following successful testing, ICUBE-Q has been integrated into the Chang’e6 mission, China’s sixth lunar exploration endeavor.
Chang’e6 aims to land on the moon’s far side to collect samples for further research on Earth. The inclusion of the Pakistan CubeSat Satellite, iCube-Q, in this mission underscores its significance for Pakistan’s space exploration aspirations.
CubeSats, known for their compact size and standardized design, are deployed for various scientific, technological, and educational initiatives in space exploration.
