Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with China for the 2028 Chang’e-8 lunar mission, marking Pakistan’s first foray into lunar exploration. As part of this historic partnership, Pakistan will contribute a 35-kilogram lunar rover designed to explore the Moon’s south pole. This area is of significant scientific interest due to its potential resources, including water ice, which could be key for future lunar habitation and resource utilization.
A SUPARCO spokesperson highlighted the importance of the mission, stating that the collaboration would open new doors for scientific research and deepen the understanding of the lunar surface. Pakistan’s lunar rover will focus on detailed exploration and data collection, playing a crucial role in advancing the overall objectives of the Chang’e-8 mission, which aims to study the Moon’s geology and investigate resource extraction possibilities.
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This collaboration comes on the heels of Pakistan’s successful launch of the iCube Qamar satellite in May 2024, which was part of China’s Chang’e-6 mission. The satellite, now orbiting the Moon, represents a significant milestone in Pakistan’s growing space capabilities and serves as a precursor to the country’s involvement in more ambitious space exploration projects like Chang’e-8.
China has been at the forefront of space exploration, particularly with its lunar program, and Pakistan’s participation in the Chang’e-8 mission marks a major achievement for SUPARCO. This joint effort reflects Pakistan’s ambitions to develop its space technology and research capabilities, with the mission expected to yield important data that could help shape future lunar exploration and resource utilization, potentially even enabling human missions to the Moon.
This milestone strengthens Pakistan’s position in the global space arena, aligning with SUPARCO’s long-term goals to enhance the country’s space research and exploration endeavors.
