Pakistan successfully launches iCube Qamar first satellite moon mission via China’s Chang’E-6
iCube Qamar will reach the lunar orbit in five days and circle the moon for three to six months.
Pakistan on Friday successfully launched iCube Qamar, the first satellite moon mission via China’s Chang’E-6.
The country’s historic first satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar, was launched on board China’s Chang’E6 from Hainan, China.
Congratulations! Pakistan’s first ever moon satellite #ICUBEQ has been successfully launched, riding the same rocket with China’s #ChangE6 lunar probe. This is also the 1st 🇨🇳🇵🇰 cooperation on lunar exploration. We look forward to more in the near future! @PresOfPakistan pic.twitter.com/GUHE5Fja3f
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) May 3, 2024
iCube Qamar will reach the lunar orbit in five days and circle the moon for three to six months.
Weighing 7 KG, ICUBE-Q is a collaboration between SUPARCO and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Chang’E-6 is the sixth in a series of China’s lunar exploration missions. In the 53-day mission, the Chang’e-6 lander will touch down in a gaping crater on the moon’s far side that could help scientists peer back into the evolution of the moon and the solar system itself.
Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, #SUPARCO’s logo is seen on China’s most powerful rocket #LongMarch5! Together with China’s #ChangE6 lunar probe and payloads from France and #ESA, Pakistan’s CubeSat is ready to go to the moon in just a few days! pic.twitter.com/tlOebD5wVf
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) April 29, 2024
Following the successful launch, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif felicitated the nation on the historic feat.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said the ICUBE-Q satellite is Pakistan’s first step into space.
The PM said Pakistani scientists, engineers and skilled workers are proving their mettle in this field like the expertise they exhibited in nuclear technology.
He expressed tribute to the core committee of the Institute of Space Technology, including Dr Khurram Khurshid, all the members of the SUPARCO team and students, who participated in this project.
