In a historic milestone for Pakistan’s space exploration endeavors, 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 momentous launch, broadcasted live on the IST website and Chinese state television, marks a significant leap forward in Pakistan’s space program.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation and the scientific community for achieving this remarkable feat, hailing the iCube-Q satellite as Pakistan’s inaugural step in space exploration. Emphasizing the prowess of Pakistani scientists, engineers, and skilled workers, PM Sharif lauded their dedication and expertise, drawing parallels with the country’s achievements in nuclear technology.
The mission holds profound significance for Pakistan’s scientific community, offering invaluable opportunities for lunar exploration and research.
Dr. Khurram Khurshid, a key member of the Core Committee at the Institute of Space Technology (IST), provided insights into the mission’s objectives, revealing that Pakistan’s satellite, accompanying China’s Long March-5 rocket, is set to enter lunar orbit within five days. The iCube-Q orbiter, developed in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University and Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO, is equipped with two optical cameras designed to capture images of the lunar surface for research purposes.
The mission holds profound significance for Pakistan’s scientific community, offering invaluable opportunities for lunar exploration and research. The integration of iCube-Q with China’s Chang’E6 mission underscores the spirit of international cooperation in space exploration, exemplifying the shared benefits derived from collaborative efforts.
Chang’E6, part of China’s ambitious lunar exploration program, is slated to collect samples from the moon’s far side, contributing to scientific research and advancing our understanding of lunar geology. The inclusion of Pakistan’s CubeSat Satellite iCube-Q in the mission further enhances the collaborative nature of space exploration initiatives, paving the way for future scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
CubeSats, renowned for their compact design and versatile capabilities, serve as invaluable tools for scientific research, technology development, and educational initiatives in space exploration. As Pakistan embarks on this historic lunar mission, the nation reaffirms its commitment to advancing scientific innovation and exploring new frontiers in space exploration.
