Pakistan, China collaborate for Chang’e-8 lunar mission

Islamabad: The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced a historic collaboration with China for the upcoming 2028 Chang’e-8 lunar mission.

This marks Pakistan’s inaugural venture into lunar exploration, underscoring the country’s growing ambitions in space research.

A SUPARCO spokesperson revealed that, as part of the mission, Pakistan will contribute a 35-kilogram rover designed to explore the Moon's south pole. The rover, slated for launch in 2028, will play a key role in advancing the mission’s objectives by enhancing lunar surface analysis and contributing to revolutionary research on the Moon.

"The collaboration with China will pave the way for groundbreaking scientific research that will significantly expand our understanding of the lunar surface," the spokesperson stated. "The rover's primary mission will focus on detailed exploration of the Moon’s south pole, an area believed to hold valuable resources, including water ice."

This partnership follows the successful launch of Pakistan's iCube Qamar satellite in May 2024, which was deployed aboard China’s Chang’e-6 mission. iCube Qamar entered lunar orbit on May 8, marking another significant step in Pakistan's space exploration efforts. The CubeSat, a miniature satellite, serves as an important tool for scientific research and technological advancement.

The Chang’e-8 mission, a joint effort between China and SUPARCO, will offer Pakistan its first direct involvement in lunar exploration, enabling Pakistani scientists and engineers to contribute to one of the most ambitious space missions of the decade.

In recent years, China has emerged as a leader in space exploration, particularly in its lunar program. Pakistan's collaboration with China on this high-profile mission is a significant milestone in SUPARCO's long-term strategy to strengthen its capabilities in space research.

The Chang’e-8 mission is expected to provide vital data on the Moon's south pole, which could help determine the feasibility of future human missions and potential lunar resource utilization.