In an ambitious stride towards space exploration, Pakistan has embarked on its first lunar mission with the launch of ‘iCube Qamar.’ This historic attempt marks a significant milestone for the country’s space program and highlights its growth in the global space community.
The satellite has been designed and developed by the IST in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University and Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO. The satellite is being carried by China’s Long March-5 rocket which took off for its visit to space on board the Chang’E6 from the Wenchang Space launch site in the Hainan province of China.
Dr Khurram Khurshid, member of the Core Committee at the IST, told Geo News that Pakistan’s satellite will reach the lunar orbit in five days and will orbit around the moon for three to six months. The satellite would capture pictures of the moon’s surface enabling Pakistan to have its own satellite images of the moon for research purposes.
Following the launch, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation and the scientists for launching first lunar orbit mission. He, further, payed 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.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also posted a tweet stating “This launch from Hainan in China, is a good example of countries and organisations coming together for space cooperation and shared benefits.”
The primary purpose of this venture is to facilitate scientific research and educational initiatives in space exploration. This initiative would definitely open path for Pakistan in the field of space exploration.