In a landmark event symbolizing deepening space cooperation, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) handed over data from the ICUBE-Q satellite to Pakistan on Friday. The ICUBE-Q, a lunar orbiter co-developed by Pakistan’s Institute of Space Technology (IST) and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), captured its first image on May 8 after separating from the Chang’e-6 orbiter to conduct lunar exploration activities.
At a ceremony held in Beijing, Zhang Kejian, head of the CNSA, presented the data carrier containing the satellite’s findings to Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi. The images captured by ICUBE-Q, including detailed photographs of the moon’s surface, were also released to the public, marking a significant achievement in international space collaboration.
Launched on May 3, the Chang’e-6 lunar probe carried four international payloads, including the ICUBE-Q satellite. The mission represents the first lunar exploration cooperation between China and Pakistan, underlining the shared principles of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful utilization of space, and inclusive development.
“This project enhances the friendship between our countries and expands diverse cooperation in the field of aerospace,” said Ge Ping, deputy director of the CNSA’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center. “It is a testament to what can be achieved through international collaboration.”
The collaboration originated from China’s invitation for student-built payloads to join the Chang’e-6 mission. Pakistan’s IST submitted a proposal that was accepted, leading to a joint effort involving IST faculty and students, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), and SJTU since 2023.
The successful deployment and data transmission of ICUBE-Q exemplify the potential for educational institutions and national space agencies to work jointly on ambitious projects. It also opens new avenues for future cooperation in space exploration and technology between China and Pakistan.
