By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to make its mark on the lunar landscape with the launch of its first-ever lunar mission, ICUBE-Q, on Friday, state-run APP reported.
The country’s historic lunar mission will be launched on May 3 at 12:50 pm on board China’s Chang’e 6 lunar probe from Hainan, China.
The satellite ICUBE-Q was designed and developed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan’s national space agency Suparco.
The ICUBE-Q orbiter carries two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. Following successful qualification and testing, ICUBE-Q has now been integrated with the Chang’e 6 mission. Chang’e 6 is the sixth in a series of China’s lunar exploration missions.
The launch activity will be telecast live on the IST website and IST social media platforms.
China’s lunar mission will touch down on the moon’s far side to collect samples from the surface and return to Earth for research.
The mission holds significance for Pakistan as it will also take a CubeSat Satellite ICUBE-Q, developed by IST. CubeSats are miniature satellites typically characterised by their small size and standardised design. They are constructed in a cubic shape, consisting of modular components that adhere to specific size constraints.
These satellites often weigh no more than a few kilogrammes and are deployed in space for various purposes. The primary purpose of CubeSats is to facilitate scientific research, technology development, and educational initiatives in space exploration.
These satellites are utilised for a wide range of missions, including Earth observations, remote sensing, atmospheric research, communications, astronomy, and technology demonstration.
Due to their compact size and relatively low cost compared to traditional satellites, CubeSats offer opportunities for universities, research institutions, and commercial entities to participate in space missions and gather valuable data for scientific advancement and innovation.
They serve as platforms for testing new technologies and concepts, enabling access to space for a broader range of users and promoting collaboration within the space community.
Pakistan’s entry into lunar exploration comes as India, its regional rival, has been making strides in space exploration. Last year, India successfully landed a craft near the Moon’s south pole, a historic achievement for its space program.
Pakistan’s entry into lunar exploration is a symbol of its growing confidence in its space program, and its ability to collaborate with international partners. The mission is expected to pave the way for future collaborations between Pakistan and China in space exploration.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
