iCube-Qamar Captures First Image:Pakistan’s space program achieved a historic milestone with its first lunar mission, iCube-Qamar. The satellite successfully transmitted the very first image of the moon captured from lunar orbit, a significant achievement for the nation’s space agency.
This accomplishment marks a major leap for Pakistan’s space exploration efforts. iCube-Qamar, designed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China, is the first Pakistani satellite to enter lunar orbit and complete a full revolution around the moon in roughly 12 hours.
The miniature satellite, also known as a CubeSat, boasts two powerful cameras. These cameras will meticulously image the lunar surface from a close distance of approximately 200 kilometers. The data will travel a vast distance, between 360,000 and 400,000 kilometers, before reaching Earth for analysis.
iCube-Qamar’s successful deployment and image transmission mark the initial phase of its mission. The satellite will now embark on its primary function – capturing detailed photographs of pre-selected regions on the lunar surface. This critical data, obtained during its 12-hour elliptical orbit, will be instrumental for future research endeavors.
Prior to launch, Pakistani scientists expressed confidence in the mission’s ability to deliver valuable lunar imagery. Dr. Khurram, a leading researcher, emphasized that iCube-Qamar’s observations would provide Pakistan with its own set of lunar images, paving the way for groundbreaking scientific studies.
The launch took place earlier this month aboard China’s Chang’e-6 mission, marking the sixth chapter in their ongoing lunar exploration program. This collaboration between China and Pakistan signifies a promising future for international cooperation in space exploration.