Pakistan’s IST announced that the lunar exploration mission iCube-Q will be launched on May 3 at 12:50 pm (local time) on the Chinese lunar probe Chang’e-6. X/Cathay Pack
The Institute of Space Technology (IST) in Islamabad announced that Pakistan’s first lunar exploration mission “iCube-Q” will fly from China’s Hainan Island to China’s lunar probe “Chang’e-6” on May 3 at 12:50 pm (Pakistan Standard Time). It was announced that it is scheduled to be launched on the same day. . The collaboration involves Pakistan’s national space agency Sparco and China’s Shanghai University SJTU.
The Chinese-led lunar mission will land on the far side of the moon, where it will collect surface samples and bring them back to Earth for further study.
“Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Council, #SUPARCO logo seen on China’s most powerful rocket #LongMarch5! China’s #ChangE6 lunar probe and payloads from France and #ESA together with Pakistan’s CubeSat is ready to go to the moon in just a few days!” the Chinese embassy in Pakistan said in a post to X.
What’s so unique about this particular mission?
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One of the notable aspects of this mission is that it incorporates iCube-Q, a CubeSat satellite developed by IST. CubeSats are small satellites known for their small size and standardized design. These satellites play a critical role in facilitating scientific research, technology development, and education efforts in space exploration.
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Despite its compact size, CubeSats reportedly offer a valuable opportunity for universities, research institutes, and commercial organizations to participate in space missions and collect data essential to scientific advancement. dawn.
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The ICUBE-Q orbiter is equipped with two optical cameras to photograph the lunar surface.
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In 2022, the China National Space Administration (CNSA), through the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), extended a unique opportunity to member countries to carry student-built payloads aboard the Chang’e 6 mission to the moon. Pakistan’s ICUBE-Q was selected.
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China’s Chang’e 6 mission represents the next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. The mission, scheduled to launch from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in southern Hainan Island, aims to achieve several firsts in lunar exploration.
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Notably, this will be the second mission to land on the far side of the moon, following the success of Chang’e 4 in 2019.
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One of the main objectives of the Chang’e 6 mission is to collect samples from the far side of the Moon, specifically targeting the oldest lunar impact crater, the South Pole-Aitken Basin. This ambitious effort will provide valuable insight into the composition and age of the moon’s far side and contribute to our understanding of the early history of the solar system.
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The Chang’e 6 mission is a classic example of international cooperation in space exploration. With contributions from France, Italy, Pakistan, Sweden and the European Space Agency (ESA), this initiative pursues scientific discoveries across borders.
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Despite geopolitical tensions, scientists emphasize the universal principles underlying scientific cooperation and the importance of sharing knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
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The recovered specimens will be shared with the international community for detailed analysis, as well as data from China’s other space science missions, including the Chang’e 5 specimens and the recent high-resolution lunar atlas.
Based on opinions from agents
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