In a monumental achievement, Pakistan’s inaugural satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar, has been successfully launched aboard China’s Chang’E6 from Hainan, China. The momentous 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 this historic milestone. He hailed the iCube-Q satellite as Pakistan’s inaugural step into space, acknowledging the prowess of Pakistani scientists, engineers, and skilled workers in space technology, akin to their accomplishments in nuclear technology.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar commended the collaborative effort between nations and organizations in space cooperation, emphasizing the shared benefits of such initiatives.
Dr. Khurram Khurshid, a member of the Core Committee at the Institute of Space Technology (IST), revealed that Pakistan’s satellite, carried by China’s Long March-5 rocket, is expected to reach lunar orbit within five days. The satellite will orbit the moon for three to six months, capturing images of the lunar surface for research purposes.
The iCube-Q orbiter, designed and developed by IST in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University and Pakistan’s SUPARCO, is equipped with two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. Integrated with China’s Chang’e6 mission, the satellite will contribute to China’s lunar exploration efforts.
The mission holds particular significance for Pakistan as it includes the deployment of the Pakistan CubeSat Satellite iCube-Q, developed by IST. CubeSats, characterized by their small size and modular design, are instrumental in facilitating scientific research, technology development, and educational initiatives in space exploration.
The successful launch of iCube Qamar marks a historic milestone for Pakistan’s space program, paving the way for future advancements and collaborations in space exploration.
