In a significant milestone, a Pakistani satellite is set to orbit the moon as part of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission, launched from Hainan, China, on Friday.
This mission, aimed at exploring the moon’s “dark side,” incorporates lunar research payloads from various countries, including Pakistan’s iCube Qamar satellite.
The Institute of Space Technology (IST) announced that Pakistan’s groundbreaking lunar module iCube-Q, developed in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University (SJTU) and Pakistan’s national space agency Suparco, will be aboard Chang’e-6.
Named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e-6 seeks to gather approximately two kilograms of lunar samples from the far side of the Moon for analysis—an unprecedented endeavor in human lunar exploration, according to China’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre.
With payloads from France, Italy, Sweden, and Pakistan, Chang’e-6 underscores international collaboration in space exploration. Additionally, the probe’s landing in the South Pole-Aitken Basin marks a crucial step towards establishing a Chinese crewed landing and lunar base.
The iCube-Q orbiter, equipped with two optical cameras to image the lunar surface, represents Pakistan’s inaugural foray into lunar exploration. As a CubeSat, characterized by its small size and standardized cubic design, it offers a cost-effective means for scientific research and innovation.
Under President Xi Jinping, China has accelerated its “space dream,” making significant strides in space technology, including the recent launch of a space station and successful missions to Mars and the moon.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded Pakistan’s maiden lunar mission, highlighting its significance for national pride and scientific advancement. They emphasized the cooperation between Pakistan and China in aerospace as a testament to their enduring friendship.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar applauded the launch as a symbol of international cooperation in space exploration, underscoring the shared benefits of such endeavors.