Pakistan has successfully launched its first satellite mission to the moon in partnership with China. Read on to discover more.
While numerous Pakistanis online criticize our tendency to over exaggerate our achievements, citing the example of the Chinese-led mission in which Pakistan is merely a participant and the use of video from China’s space station, some users remain insistent on reminding us of this fact. They emphasize that China’s coverage doesn’t even mention Pakistan. Nevertheless, as Pakistanis, let’s perhaps celebrate whatever significant or minor accomplishments come our way and yet another Pak-China alliance?
Every achievement, regardless of its size, is still an accomplishment. What is being deemed as a historic feat, is that the nation’s first satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar, has been carried by China’s Long March-5 rocket, embarking on its space journey alongside Chang’e 6 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China’s Hainan province.
The PM’S Felicitations
The launch was telecasted live on the IST (Institute of Space Technology) website as well as the Chinese state television. The coverage is still being live casted on various channels. Following the initial launch, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation and all the scientists involved in launching the first lunar orbit mission. The Prime Minister commended Pakistani scientists, engineers, and skilled workers for their exceptional contributions in this field, likening their expertise to that demonstrated in nuclear technology.
He paid tribute to the core committee of the Institute of Space Technology, which includes Dr. Khurram Khurshid, as well as all members of the SUPARCO (Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) team and participating students for their involvement in this project. Dr. Khurram Khurshid, stated that Pakistan’s satellite, carried by China’s Long March-5 rocket, is expected to enter lunar orbit within five days, where it will orbit the moon for the next three to six months.
He further mentioned that the satellite will capture various images of the moon’s surface, providing Pakistan with its own set of lunar images for research purposes.
What This Means For Pakistan
The satellite was created through a collaboration between the Institute of Space Technology (IST), China’s Shanghai University, and Pakistan’s national space agency, SUPARCO. China’s Lunar Mission, Chang’e 6, is set to land on the far side of the moon to gather surface samples for research upon its return to Earth.
This mission holds particular, immense significance for Pakistan, as it will also transport the iCube-Q, a CubeSat satellite developed by IST. CubeSats are known for their compact size and standardized design, typically taking on a cubic shape with modular components conforming to specific size parameters. CubeSats primarily serve the purpose of advancing scientific research, technology development, and educational endeavors in space exploration.
Here are Pakistanis‘ reactions to the Lunar Mission!
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Source: Geo News
