Pakistan’s ICUBE-Qamar successfully enters moon’s orbit

Pakistan’s satellite ICUBE-Qamar, which began its journey to the moon onboard China’s largest rocket a few days ago, successfully entered the celestial body’s orbit at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The rocket, carrying the ICUBE Qamar, continued its journey after releasing the satellite into the orbit. 

The ICUBE-Qamar later sent its signals to the earth to show it was functional.

Scientists have said that it will take a week to check all systems of the satellite inside the orbit.

They have informed that after entering the orbit, ICUBE Qamar will conduct different kinds of experiments for the next five to six days.  

On Tuesday, 24News had reported that Pakistan was going to achieve a significant milestone in its quest to explore space as the country’s first-ever satellite to the moon would enter its orbit tomorrow.

The channel had reported that the satellite was likely to send the first image of the moon on May 16.

It was reported that after entering the orbit, all systems onboard the satellite would undergo the verification process.

Pakistani scientist Dr. Khurram Khurshid has said that the images, which ICUBE Qamar will send to the earth will help in further studying the moon’s surface.

Pakistan’s maiden lunar mission ICUBE Qamar had left for the moon on May 3 (Friday) as part of a Chinese probe, which aims to collect samples from the far side of the moon.

The ICube-Q orbiter, which carries two optical cameras to image the lunar surface, is a 7kg cube satellite or a cubesat.

Reporters: Tayyab Saif and Aima Khan