ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s national agency SUPARCO joins hands with China for 2028 Chang’e-8 lunar mission, marking Islamabad’s first major involvement in lunar exploration.
The major collaboration aims to contribute groundbreaking scientific research on the Moon, particularly in the study of its south pole. The Chang’e-8 mission will serve as foundation for Biejing’s future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
The mission will conduct Earth observation, analyze lunar samples, and test resource utilization techniques. and will asses sustaining a terrestrial ecosystem in the lunar environment.
As part of joint mission, Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission SUPARCO will provide 35-kilogram rover designed to explore the lunar south pole.Pakistani rover will play a vital role in advancing lunar surface research, contributing to China’s broader goals for lunar exploration, SUPARCO spokesperson said.
The partnership between Iron Friend nations builds on previous joint collabs in space exploration. In May this year, Pakistan’s iCube Qamar CubeSat satellite successfully entered lunar orbit after being launched aboard China’s Chang’e-6 mission.
CubeSats, which are small, modular satellites, have become increasingly popular in space research due to their low cost and versatile applications. These compact satellites are designed to carry out a wide range of tasks, from Earth observation and atmospheric research to technology testing and communications.
WATCH: Pakistan launches second communication satellite PAKSAT MM-1
