Pakistan’s historic satellite, ‘iCube Qamar,’ which embarked on its journey into space alongside China’s Chang’e 6 mission, has successfully entered lunar orbit, marking a significant milestone for the country’s space program.
According to the China National Space Administration, the Chang’e 6 spacecraft achieved lunar orbit at 10:12 am local time, as reported by the Chinese News Agency. In the coming week, the satellite’s systems will undergo in-orbit testing, including its controllers, subsystems, and protocols.
The launch of the iCube Qamar satellite occurred on May 3 from the Wencheng Space Center in Henan, China, at 2:27 pm local time. With this launch, Pakistan joined the ranks of the six nations capable of sending a satellite into lunar orbit, a feat of remarkable technological achievement.
Equipped with two optical cameras designed to capture images of the Moon’s surface, the iCube Qamar satellite represents a pioneering effort in lunar exploration. Over the next three to six months, the satellite will orbit the Moon, capturing various images essential for research purposes.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s satellite mission aims to retrieve samples from the Moon’s far side, demonstrating the country’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and exploration. This mission marks a significant step forward for Pakistan’s space program and underscores its growing capabilities in the field of space exploration.
