Pakistan’s historic lunar mission ICUBE-Q is going to be launched on May 3 on board China’s planned robotic exploration mission ‘Chang’e 6’ from Hainan, China.
The purpose of the mission is to collect lunar surface samples like rocks and soil from far side of the moon, that is hidden from earths view.
The satellite ICUBE-Q is created by IST in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University SJTU an Pakistan’s National Space Agency SUPARCO.
CubeSats are mini satellites, cubic in shape and are characterized by their small size standardized design. These satellites are less than few kilograms in weigh.
These are suitable for various missions including Earth observations, remote sensing, atmospheric research, communication.
Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, #SUPARCO’s logo is seen on China’s most powerful rocket #LongMarch5! Together with China’s #ChangE6 lunar probe and payloads from France and #ESA, Pakistan’s CubeSat is ready to go to the moon in just a few days! pic.twitter.com/tlOebD5wVf
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) April 29, 2024
It should be noted that it will be first-ever attempt to gather lunar samples from the far side. The launch activity will be broadcast on live on the IST website and social media platforms
