On Tuesday, Pakistan's „historic” lunar mission iCube-Q will be launched from Hainan, China aboard China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe at 12:50 pm, the Space Technology Agency said.
According to the Institute of Space Technology (IST), the ICUBE-Q satellite was designed by IST and developed in collaboration with China's Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan's National Space Agency Superco.
The ICUBE-Q orbiter carries two optical cameras to image the lunar surface.
After successful qualification and testing, iCube-Q is now integrated with the Chang'e 6 mission.
Chang'e 6 is the sixth in a series of Chinese lunar probes.
The launch function will be telecast live on IST website and IST social media platforms.
China's lunar probe will touch down on the far side of the moon and collect samples from the surface to return to Earth for study.
The mission is significant for Pakistan as it will also carry iCube-Q, a CubeSat satellite developed by IST.
CubeSats are small-scale satellites and are characterized by their small size and standardized design.
They are built in a cubic form, consisting of modular elements that adhere to certain dimensional constraints.
These satellites often weigh no more than a few kilograms and are used in space for various purposes.
The primary purpose of CubeSats is to facilitate scientific research, technology development and educational efforts in space exploration.
These satellites are used for various tasks including earth observation, remote sensing, atmospheric research, communication, astronomy and technology demonstration.
Due to their small size and relatively low cost compared to traditional satellites, CubeSats have provided opportunities for universities, research institutes and commercial companies to participate in space missions and collect valuable data for scientific advancement and innovation.
They serve as platforms for testing new technologies and concepts, enable access to space for a wide range of users, and promote collaboration within the space community.
In August last year, India became the first country to land a craft near the Moon's south pole, a historic victory for its ambitious, cut-price space program.
„Oddany rozwiązywacz problemów. Przyjazny hipsterom praktykant bekonu. Miłośnik kawy. Nieuleczalny introwertyk. Student.