Pakistan’s first space mission, iCube Q. It is poised to make its mark in the arena of international space exploration with the launch of .
iCube Q, scheduled to launch from China’s Hainan Space Center on May 3 along with Beijing’s Chang’e 6 mission, marks Pakistan’s entry into lunar exploration.
The launch, scheduled for 12:50 p.m., will be broadcast live on the Institute of Space Technology (IST) website and social media platforms. Developed in collaboration with the Space and Outer Atmosphere Research Group and Shanghai University in China, iCube Q will orbit the Moon equipped with two optical cameras to capture images for research purposes.
Part of China’s sixth lunar exploration mission, Chang’e-6, iCube Q’s main mission is to match its Chinese partner’s mission to collect dust and rock samples from the Moon’s South Pole. ICube Q will be accompanied by operators from France, Italy and Sweden.
The miniature moon mission demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to space exploration and the country’s capabilities in technology and space exploration. This historic flight is an important milestone for Pakistan’s space program and opens the door for future progress and contributions to the global space community.
