Islamabad: In a monumental stride for Pakistan’s space exploration, the nation’s maiden satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar Pakistan, soared into space aboard China’s Chang’E6 spacecraft from Hainan, China.
The historic launch, broadcasted live on both the IST website and Chinese state television, marked a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s space endeavors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation and the scientific community, hailing the launch as Pakistan’s inaugural venture into lunar exploration.
In a statement, PM Sharif underscored the significance of iCube Qamar Pakistan, highlighting the prowess of Pakistani scientists and engineers akin to their achievements in nuclear technology.
He commended the efforts of the Institute of Space Technology’s core committee, led by Dr. Khurram Khurshid, and lauded the collaborative efforts with SUPARCO and Shanghai University.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the collaborative nature of space exploration, citing the launch as a testament to international cooperation for mutual advancement.
Dr. Khurram Khurshid, of IST’s Core Committee, revealed that the satellite is expected to enter lunar orbit within five days, embarking on a mission to capture high-resolution images of the moon’s surface for research purposes.
Developed jointly by IST, Shanghai University, and SUPARCO, the ICUBE-Q orbiter is equipped with advanced optical cameras to facilitate lunar surface imaging.
The integration of ICUBE-Q with China’s Chang’e6 mission signifies a milestone in Pakistan-China space collaboration.
Chang’e6, part of China’s lunar exploration program, will conduct sample collection from the moon’s far side, furthering scientific research upon its return to Earth.
The inclusion of Pakistan’s CubeSat Satellite iCube-Q in the mission underscores the nation’s growing presence in space exploration, leveraging miniature satellite technology for scientific research and educational initiatives.
