Launching time of lunar mission iCube-Q changed

The schedule for Pakistan’s historic lunar mission iCube-Q, which was to be launched earlier at 12:50pm today has been changed due to weather conditions.

Now, the iCUBE-Q orbiter which will carry two optical cameras to image the lunar surface, will be launched today at 14:18. The change in time has made in view of the weather conditions.

The Institute of Space Technology (IST) said it has designed and developed the satellite ICUBE-Q in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University (SJTU) and Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO.

According to Dr. Khurram, satellite images of the moon’s surface will be acquired through China’s Deep Space Network.

In 2022, the Chinese National Space Agency through the Asia-Pacific Space Corporation Organization (APSCO) provided a unique opportunity for member countries to reach lunar orbit for free.

The member countries had sent their plans on the proposal of APSCO. The member countries of APSCO include Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Peru, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey.

The Institute of Space Technology had also submitted a proposed project on behalf of Pakistan and, out of 8 countries, only the project of Pakistan was accepted. After two years of hard work, the satellite ‘ICube Q’ was completed.