After the successful launch of Pakistan’s first lunar satellite, iCUBE Qamar, the country is now preparing to launch another satellite, MM1, on May 30th.
MM1, a collaborative project between SUPARCO and the National Space Agency, aims to bolster the nation’s communication infrastructure, particularly enhancing 5G internet services.
Following its launch, iCUBE Qamar entered the moon’s orbit, operating under extreme temperatures as low as minus 100 degrees Celsius. Despite power constraints, it has transmitted the first-ever images and is poised to provide essential data on crater locations, water, and traces of ice on the lunar surface. This will be achieved through surface-level analysis capabilities, transmitting images at a modest 1 kbps.
SUPARCO, also known as the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, is a government agency responsible for Pakistan’s national space program. Established in 1961 in Karachi, SUPARCO initially focused on learning rocketry and high-altitude research from the United States. Over time, it developed the capacity for a national satellite program, culminating in the launch of Pakistan’s first satellite from China in 1990. Additionally, SUPARCO has been actively involved in rocket development programs sponsored by the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan.
