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Pakistan's first lunar rover named 'Jinnah-1': Suparco
Suparco announced the selection of the name 'Jinnah-1' for Pakistan's first lunar rover, part of a future mission to the Moon.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has officially named the country's first lunar rover 'Jinnah-1'. This announcement was made during a ceremony held in Islamabad. According to Suparco, the rover is set to be launched in 2029 as part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission.
The name 'Jinnah-1' was chosen from a total of 4,000 proposals submitted during a nationwide competition. Suparco recognized the significance of this naming process and the contributions of participants from across the country.
The rover will be deployed to the lunar south pole, an area noted for its challenging terrain and potential for important scientific discoveries. The mission aims to conduct research on various aspects including plasma, radiation, and lunar geology.
This collaboration with China represents a significant development in Pakistan's space program and highlights the nation’s ambitions in space exploration. The work conducted by the rover at the Moon’s south pole is expected to contribute to understanding the region's resources and history.