Pakistan is gearing up for its historic lunar mission, ICUBE-Q, scheduled for launch on Friday aboard China’s Chang’E6 spacecraft from Hainan.
Developed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan’s national space agency Suparco, ICUBE-Q is equipped with two optical cameras to capture images of the lunar surface.
After successful testing, ICUBE-Q has been integrated into the Chang’E6 mission, which aims to collect samples from the moon’s far side for research upon return to Earth.
This mission marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it will also deploy its own CubeSat satellite, iCube-Q, alongside Chang’E6.
CubeSats, known for their compact size and standardized design, play crucial roles in scientific research, technology development, and educational endeavors in space exploration.
These miniature satellites enable diverse missions such as earth observations, remote sensing, communications, and technology demonstrations, providing opportunities for universities, research institutions, and commercial entities to participate in space exploration and innovation.
