As part of the Chang’e 6 mission, Pakistan’s first satellite, iCube-Qamar, reached a noteworthy milestone when it was able to successfully enter lunar orbit. With this achievement, Pakistan’s space efforts have reached a turning point, and specialists are now preparing to evaluate every subsystem after iCube is deployed. Experts estimate that it may take a week or so for satellite imaging systems to undergo operational certification before iCube returns its first lunar photographs by May 15 or 16. Under the effect of lunar gravity, the Chang’e 6 mission has already entered lunar orbit. The mission’s next step is to land the lander and ascender on the southern polar region of the moon.
After that, on June 1st, the Chang’e 6 mission’s primary lander will separate, and on June 2nd, the mission is scheduled to gather samples of lunar rocks and soil. The 53-day mission is expected to end with the spacecraft returning to Earth on June 25. The return voyage is set to begin on June 4 and dock on June 6. Following the satellite’s arrival in orbit, a series of tests on iCube will be carried out over the next five to six days by the Institute of Space Technology. Pakistani space experts Dr. Khurram Khurshid and Dr. Qamar-ul-Islam, who are now in China, stressed that within the next five days, testing of the batteries and onboard computers as well as communication system inspections are scheduled.
The fact that the iCube satellite is Pakistan’s first satellite to reach the moon and that images from it should arrive by May 15 or 16 underscores the significance of this accomplishment. On May 3, iCube, Pakistan’s first deep space mission, was launched into orbit from China’s Hainan Space Launch Site. Pakistan’s space exploration program has advanced significantly with the successful launch of its iCube satellite into lunar orbit. The mission has the potential to yield significant breakthroughs and progress Pakistan’s space science capabilities with careful testing and well-planned activities in the future.
