Pakistan is set to launch a ‘historic’ moon mission today aboard a Chinese rocket

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Chang’e6 will carry Pakistan’s miniature satellite ICUBE-QAMAR: Institute of Space Technology built ICUBE-Q in collaboration with Shanghai University and SUPARCO

All arrangements have been made as Pakistan is set to launch its “historic” moon mission (ICUBE-Q) aboard China’s Chang’e6 rocket, which is expected to take off on Friday (today), 24NewsHD TV channel reported.
ICUBE-Q was designed and developed by the Pakistan Institute of Space Technology in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University and Pakistan’s National Space Agency SUPARCO.

The ICUBE-Q orbiter has two optical cameras to image the lunar surface and after successful qualification and testing, ICUBE-Q has now been integrated with the Chang’e6 mission.”
China is about to make a first-ever attempt to collect samples from the far side of the moon.
The Chinese mission aims to collect samples containing material ejected from the moon’s mantle, providing insight into the history of the moon, Earth and the solar system.
According to the Institute of Space Technology’s website, China’s National Space Agency has allowed member states of the Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization to send a student-built payload to the moon on its mission.

The Pakistani institute built a device that was selected for this purpose after rigorous evaluation.

The student-built payload contains two optical cameras to image the lunar surface and will be part of China’s mission to the moon

With this moon mission, Pakistan aims to make progress in space exploration.

Launch times of lunar missions

According to the Islamabad-based Institute of Space Technology, the launch will take place on Friday at 12:50 pm (Pakistani Standard Time).

Preparations for the mission are progressing at the Wenchang Space launch site in southern China’s Hainan province.

What is the Chang’e6 mission?

  • The primary goal of the Chang’e6 mission is to collect samples from the far side of the moon.

  • The spacecraft consists of an orbiter, lander, ascender and re-entry module.

  • The goal is to land in the South Pole-Aitken Basin to collect dust and rock samples.

  • This mission could provide crucial insights into the composition and characteristics of the lunar region.

  • Foreign equipment weighing a total of 10 kilograms will accompany the mission.

  • Scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency will be part of the cargo.

  • The Pakistani payload will also be mounted on the orbiter.