Pakistan sends its first space mission to moon

Pakistan’s historic lunar mission iCube-Q has successfully been launched today.

 The mission was earlier delayed by about two hours due to poor weather conditions.

The iCube-Q has been launched from Wenchang Space launch site in south China’s Hainan Province.

The iCUBE-Q orbiter carried two optical cameras to image the lunar surface.

Pakistan is all set to reach the moon!

Our first lunar mission, ICUBE-Q, is launching today. All prayers for a successful launch and a smooth journey to the moon…!!!
🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰
#LunarMission #PakistanToTheMoon pic.twitter.com/uN6lbpBdoi

— Huda Naveed (@Huda_Nav) May 3, 2024

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.