Pakistan is poised to make history in space exploration as its first lunar orbiter, named iCube Qamar, is scheduled for launch on Friday from China’s Henan Space Launch Site. The momentous event will be broadcast live on the Institute of Space Technology’s (IST) website.
Developed through a collaboration between IST, China’s Shanghai University, and Pakistan’s National Space Agency SUPARCO, iCube Qamar is equipped with state-of-the-art optical cameras aimed at capturing high-resolution images of the moon’s surface.
This milestone comes after Pakistan inked agreements with China in 2019, focussing on astronaut training and joint space missions. Following rigorous qualification and testing phases, ICUBE-Q has been seamlessly integrated into the Chang’e6 mission, the latest installment in China’s lunar exploration endeavours.
Chang’e6’s ambitious mission involves landing on the moon’s far side to retrieve surface samples for further research on Earth. iCube Qamar’s role in this mission underscores the significance of cubesats in advancing scientific research, technology development, and educational initiatives within the realm of space exploration.
Cubesats play a vital role in various missions, including Earth observation, remote sensing, atmospheric research, communication, astronomy, and technology demonstration, reflecting the broader scope of space exploration initiatives.