Pakistan's First Lunar Rover Jinnah-1 Set to Launch With China's Chang'e-8 Mission

Pakistan is making progress in its space programme, with the country preparing its first indigenous lunar rover, Jinnah-1, for a future Moon mission. Addressing a World Space Week Pakistan event, SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan said Pakistan's satellites were already being used for agriculture, urban planning and disaster management, while also highlighting the country's plans for lunar exploration and human spaceflight in collaboration with China.

A Rover Headed for the Lunar South Pole

Jinnah-1 is scheduled to launch aboard China's Chang'e-8 mission and be deployed at the lunar south pole, with SUPARCO's official programme currently listing the mission for 2028. The approximately 35-kilogram rover is being developed to conduct scientific research on lunar soil, terrain, and the space environment, and will also test technologies relevant to future lunar exploration.

A Growing Satellite Fleet

Khan said Pakistan has expanded its satellite capabilities, with six Earth observation satellites now supporting monitoring of agricultural resources, disaster management, water resources, and environmental conditions. Pakistan launched its ICUBE-Qamar lunar satellite in May 2024 as part of China's Chang'e-6 mission, marking the country's first lunar-orbit mission, and its EO-2 satellite launched in 2026 became Pakistan's second indigenous Earth-observation satellite and the sixth in the national fleet.

Two Pakistanis Training for Space

Pakistan is also preparing for its first astronaut mission to China's space station. Two Pakistani candidates, reportedly Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, are currently training in Beijing under an agreement with the China Manned Space Agency, with one expected to be selected as a scientific payload specialist for the mission following final selection expected in October 2026.