Beijing: China is gearing up for the launch of its lunar probe, Chang’e-6, on Friday, with the ambitious goal of collecting samples from the far side of the moon. This groundbreaking mission marks the first-ever attempt to retrieve samples from this unexplored region of the moon, announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
In a notable collaboration, the Chinese mission will also carry Pakistan’s miniature satellite, ICUBE-QAMAR cubesat, onboard.
Developed by a team from the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in Pakistan, in partnership with Shanghai University SJTU and SUPARCO, Pakistan’s participation in this lunar mission signifies a significant stride forward in the nation’s space exploration endeavors.
Launch Timings for Pakistan’s Moon Mission
According to the Institute of Space Technology in Islamabad, the launch is scheduled for Friday at 12:50 PM PKT, corresponding to 1:20 PM Indian Standard Time.
Preparations for the mission are well underway at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China’s Hainan Province. The Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket is undergoing final refueling with propellant, as announced by the CNSA on Wednesday.
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Insights into Chang’e 6 Mission
- The primary objective of the Chang’e 6 mission is to retrieve samples from the far side of the moon.
- The spacecraft comprises an orbiter, lander, ascender, and re-entry module.
- It aims to touch down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin to collect dust and rock samples.
- This mission holds the potential to unveil critical insights into the composition and characteristics of the lunar region.
- The mission will also carry foreign equipment totaling 10 kilograms, including scientific instruments from France, Italy, and the European Space Agency.
- The Pakistani payload, mounted on the orbiter, will play a significant role in advancing scientific research and exploration efforts.
