ISLAMABAD: In a historic achievement for Pakistan, the country’s first satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar, has been launched on board China’s Chang’E6 from Hainan, China.
The launch was telecast live on the IST website as well as the Chinese state television.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif felicitated the nation and scientists for launching the first lunar orbit mission.
In a statement, the PM said ICUBE-Q satellite was Pakistan’s first step in space.
The premier said Pakistani scientists, engineers and skilled workers were proving their mettle in this field like the expertise they exhibited in the nuclear technology.
He paid tribute to the core committee of the Institute of Space Technology, including Dr Khurram Khurshid, all the members of the Suparco team and students, who participated in this project.
Congratulating the students and scientists on the launch, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, “Today’s launch from Hainan in China is a good example of countries and organisations coming together for space cooperation and shared benefits.”
Dr Khurram Khurshid, a member of the Core Committee at the Institute of Space Technology (IST), told Geo News that Pakistan’s satellite will reach the lunar orbit in five days and will circle around the moon for three to six months.
He said different pictures of the surface of the moon will be taken with the help of satellite after which Pakistan will have its own satellite images of the moon for research.
The satellite has been designed and developed by the IST in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University and Suparco.
Chang’6 will touch down on the moon’s far side to collect samples from the surface and return to earth for research.
Nisar Ahmed Khan, an officer of Police Service in Grade 20, has been transferred from FIA to KP government
Formal office order has been issued with approval of federal secretary Science and Technology
Punjab Charities Commission has organized an open discussion between NGOs and students of various universities
Significant change is reduction of KE’s US dollar-based ROE from 15% to 14% in line with other IPPs
This growth is anticipated to have a positive impact on the unemployment rate, albeit a slight one