ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first satellite mission to the moon, iCube Qamar, was launched into space on Friday, propelled by China’s Long March-5 rocket aboard the Chang’E6 from the Wenchang Space launch site in China’s Hainan province.
The launch was broadcast live on the IST website and Chinese state television.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended congratulations to the nation and the scientific community for the milestone achievement, emphasizing that the ICUBE-Q satellite marks Pakistan’s debut in space exploration.
He praised Pakistani professionals for their prowess in this domain, likening their achievements to those in nuclear technology.
Acknowledging the efforts of the Institute of Space Technology’s core committee, led by Dr. Khurram Khurshid, as well as all members of the SUPARCO team and participating students, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for their contributions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar commended the collaborative efforts showcased in today’s launch, citing it as a testament to international cooperation in space exploration for mutual advancement.