The lunar stride

Pakistan will have tangible resource-base and scientific data to go ahead with more innovations in its space programme

It was a moment of pride for Pakistan as one of its satellites is now orbiting the moon. This historical feast could not have come without the technological prowess of China, and marks another first in their time-tested relations with Pakistan. Launched from Hainan, China, the lunar mission named Chang’e-6 is intended to explore the moon’s dark side. Pakistan-invented iCube Qamar satellite is part of a multinational research payloads that will pave the way for a debut Chinese crewed landing and setting up of a base on the lunar South Pole. As the samples from the moon will return to Earth for secondary research, Pakistan will have a tangible resource-base and scientific data to go ahead with more innovations in its space programme.

The accomplishment is shouldered by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai University (SJTU) and Pakistan’s national space agency, SUPARCO. Named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess, the 53-day mission will draw knowledge from the moon’s ‘hidden’ side, before going ahead to supplement Chang’e-7 expedition in the year 2026. It is a wonder for Pakistan to elicit opportunities for universities, research institutions and commercial entities to participate in space missions in years to come, and harness more laurels in international lunar cooperation.

Incidentally, the month of May in 1998 also saw Pakistan accomplish another heroic deed by conducting nuclear tests. It was on May 28 that the country had conducted six nuclear tests in response to India’s five on May 11 and 13. Pakistan’s path of making inroads through science and technology must be retained. The May 3^rd achievement marks a milestone in the country’s growing space capabilities, and at the same time underscores the commitment to advance its quest in aeronautical and space odysseys. Such encouragement from the government, coupled with an exceptional understanding and generosity from Beijing, demonstrates that Pakistan has the ability and capacity to develop and launch satellites for scientific purposes, and create new avenues to participate in international space missions and collaborations.

It would be appropriate to commend the resource-strained scientific muscles of Pakistan that are in the eye of the storm in terms of selective sanctions. This apartheid from the West, especially, had stemmed not only new strides in inventions but had also led to a sense of marginalisation and disgust in the corridors of knowledge. The Chinese largesse to take Pakistan along to new heights of discoveries and strength is duly appreciated. Time for Islamabad and Beijing to tap new horizons in extra-orbital sciences and align more closely. Surely, there are hallmarks in skies and stars for them
to discover.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2024.

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