SUPARCO announces name contest for Pakistan’s first lunar rover

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced the launch of Pakistan’s first-ever lunar rover in 2028 as part of China’s Chang’E 8 mission.

To celebrate this historic achievement in space exploration, Suparco has announced a nationwide contest to propose a name for the lunar rover, the winner of which will receive a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and national recognition.

Under the theme “Name Pakistan’s Lunar Rover,” the contest encourages students, space enthusiasts, and the general public across Pakistan to participate in the country’s space journey.

According to the commission, participants can submit a unique and meaningful name along with a brief explanation of their choice.

The lunar rover will be deployed at the lunar south pole, which will be equipped with advanced scientific payloads designed by Pakistani scientists and a collaborative scientific payload developed by Chinese and European researchers.

A Lunar Rover plays a crucial role in exploring the Moon’s surface, navigating harsh terrain, conducting scientific experiments, and transmitting critical data back to Earth.

By studying the Moon, scientists can gain insights into Earth’s history, planetary evolution, and the potential for sustaining life beyond our planet.