LIVE: Launch of Pakistan’s historic ICUBE-Q lunar mission

The Institute of Space Technology (IST) claims that it worked with Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO and China’s Shanghai University SJTU to design and develop the satellite ICUBE-Q.

The lunar surface is imaged by two optical cameras carried by the ICUBE-Q orbiter. Now that qualification and testing have gone well, ICUBE-Q has been successfully integrated into the Chang’e6 mission. The sixth in China’s series of lunar exploration missions is called Chang’e6.

The launch activity will be telecast live on the IST website and social media platforms. Chang’6 will touch down on the moon’s far side to collect samples from the surface and return to Earth for research.

The mission holds significance for Pakistan as it will also take a Pakistan CubeSat Satellite iCube-Q, developed by IST.

Read More: Pakistan’s historic lunar mission set to be launched this week

CubeSats are tiny satellites that are primarily distinguished by their uniform design and compact size. They are built in the form of a cube and are made up of modular parts that follow predetermined dimensions.

These space-deployed satellites, which typically weigh only a few kilograms, provide a variety of functions.

CubeSats are primarily used to support space exploration-related scientific research, technological development, and educational programs.

Numerous missions, such as Earth observation, remote sensing, atmospheric research, communications, astronomy, and technological demonstration, make use of these satellites.

Due to their compact size and relatively low cost compared to traditional satellites, CubeSats offer opportunities for universities, research institutions, and commercial entities to participate in space missions and gather valuable data for scientific advancement and innovation.

They serve as platforms for testing new technologies and concepts, enabling access to space for a broader range of users and promoting collaboration within the space community.