iCube Qamar, Pakistan first-ever lunar satellite, has been successfully deployed in orbit.
The iCube Qamar was launched on board China’s Chang’e-6 from Hainan, China, on May 3.
According to the Institute of Space Technology, IST has designed and developed the satellite ICUBE-Q in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO.
iCube Qamar
Chang’e6 is the sixth in a series of China’s lunar exploration missions.
Chang’6, 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 Pakistan CubeSat Satellite iCube-Q, developed by IST.
Pakistan Moon Mission Launched on Friday, Lunar mission (2024)
CubeSats are miniature satellites typically characterized by their small size and standardized design. They are constructed in a cubic shape, consisting of modular components that adhere to specific size constraints.
These satellites often weigh only a few kilogrammes and are deployed in space for various purposes.
Pakistan first-ever lunar satellite
The primary purpose of cubesats is to facilitate scientific research, technology development, and educational initiatives in space exploration. These satellites are utilised for various missions, including Earth observations, remote sensing, atmospheric research, communications, astronomy, and technology demonstration.
