Pakistan's lunar satellite sends back initial images
Pakistan's inaugural lunar satellite, iCube-Qamar, has beamed back its first captivating images from space, marking a significant milestone in the nation's space exploration endeavors. These images, unveiled by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Friday, signify a successful culmination of three lunar orbits.
The iCube-Qamar, a cube satellite (CubeSat), embarked on its journey aboard China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft from Hainan on May 3, before completing its deployment into the moon's orbit at 1:14 pm on May 8.
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CubeSats, renowned for their utility in academic and research settings, particularly in low earth orbits, are now expanding their horizons to encompass higher orbits and deep space missions. In a momentous ceremony held in Beijing, Zhang Kejian, the head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), presented the data carrier to Pakistani Ambassador Khalil Hashmi.
Together, they unveiled the inaugural image captured by the cube satellite.
The event, presided over by CNSA Chief Engineer Li Guoping, was attended by dignitaries from various organizations including the Department of International Cooperation of CNSA, Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre, National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Suparco, and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO).
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During the ceremony, the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre provided insights into the Chang'e-6 mission, while the Pakistan Institute of Space Technology (IST) and Shanghai Jiaotong University presented reports on the development of the payload and cooperative efforts, respectively.
Pakistan's proposal to release a CubeSat into lunar orbit was chosen by the CNSA through the APSCO, highlighting the collaborative spirit between member states. The design, development, and qualification of iCube-Q were led by faculty members and students of the IST in partnership with China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University, with support from Suparco.
Equipped with two cameras for imaging the lunar surface and earth/moon vistas, as well as advanced functionalities such as 3-axis altitude control and telemetry modules, iCube-Q stands as a testament to Pakistan's burgeoning capabilities in space technology.
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The deployment of iCube-Qamar into a meticulously selected elliptical orbit ensures optimal imaging of targeted lunar areas, showcasing the prowess of Pakistan's space program on the global stage.
Source: Dawn