Pakistan's ambitions in space have reached new heights. They launched their first lunar mission, iCube Q, successfully. The mission is set to leave on May 3 from China's Hainan Space Site, alongside China's Chang'e 6 mission. iCube Qamar is Pakistan's first entry into lunar exploration. It puts the nation prominently in the global space research arena.
Suparco and Shanghai University of China developed it. iCube Q is a big leap for Pakistan's space technology and research. The satellite weighs about 7kg. The Electrical Engineering Department of the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in Islamabad built it. They did so over two years.
The launch happened at 12:50 pm. It was a big event broadcast live on IST's website and social media. iCube Qamar is starting its journey. It carries the hopes of a nation. The nation is eager to carve its niche in the cosmos.
China's Chang'e 6 mission aligns with iCube Qamar. Its main goal is to orbit the Moon and collect valuable data. It has two optical cameras to capture high-resolution images for research. Also, payloads from France, Italy, and Sweden are coming with the satellite. They will improve their science.
Seven days after its launch, iCube Qamar made history. It sent its first images from the moon's orbit, showing a unique view of the lunar surface. This achievement is remarkable. It shows the dedication and expertise of Pakistani scientists and engineers. They have worked to make this mission a success.
A ceremony at the China National Space Administration (CNSA) marked this milestone. It highlighted the close partnership between Pakistan and China in space exploration. The Pakistani ambassador was presented with the first photo from the satellite. It symbolized the fruitful partnership between the two nations.
Dr. Khurram Khurshid leads IST's Department of Electrical Engineering. He explained the satellite's journey. It was positioned to capture images of the sun in space. Then, it went to the lunar orbit to capture historic images of the moon.
iCube Qamar has launched. Pakistan now joins the nations exploring space. This marks a big step in its space program's growth. The satellite continues its mission in lunar orbit. It paves the way for future contributions to humanity's understanding of the cosmos. This achievement inspires pride in Pakistan. It also shows its growing importance in the international space research community.
