Pakistan’s first satellite mission to the moon, ICube Qamar, was launched on board China’s Chang’e 6 from Hainan on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration efforts.
The collaborative venture between Pakistan’s Institute of Space Technology (IST), Pakistan’s national space agency Suparco, and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) has developed ICUBE-Q, a compact lunar cubesat weighing around 7kg. This mission represents Pakistan’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to advancing scientific research.
China’s lunar probe aims to gather samples that could unlock valuable insights into the disparities between the lesser-explored far side and the familiar near side of the moon. This mission underscores China’s increasingly sophisticated space exploration program, positioning it as a formidable competitor to the United States in this field.
The moon’s far side presents unparalleled scientific prospects, especially for radio astronomy, but a relay satellite is essential to maintain communication with the probe due to its perpetual facing away from Earth. China’s future lunar ambitions include landing astronauts on the moon by 2030 and outlining three lunar probe missions over the next four years.
Overall, the launch of ICube Qamar signifies a significant stride in space exploration for Pakistan and China, promising groundbreaking discoveries that could reshape our understanding of Earth’s celestial neighbor. With both countries setting their sights on the moon, the world eagerly anticipates the outcomes of this historic mission.