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Pakistan is taking another step forward in its space programme, with work beginning on the country’s first indigenous lunar rover, ‘Jinnah-1’. The rover is planned to be sent to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e-8 lunar mission.
Muhammad Yousuf Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), disclosed the information at an event organised to mark World Space Week in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s use of satellite technology is expanding in areas including agriculture, urban planning and disaster management. Preparations for lunar exploration and human spaceflight are also progressing with Chinese cooperation, he added.
According to the SUPARCO chairman, development of Pakistan’s first lunar rover, Jinnah-1, has begun. The rover is planned to travel to the Moon aboard the Chang’e-8 mission and land in the lunar south polar region.
The mission is currently scheduled for 2028. SUPARCO also said in an announcement in August that Jinnah-1 would be launched as part of the Chang’e-8 mission.
Weighing around 35kg, the rover will conduct scientific research on the lunar surface, collecting data on lunar soil, terrain and the space environment. It will also test technologies that could be useful for future lunar missions.
Pakistan has already expanded its use of satellite technology in various sectors. The SUPARCO chairman said six Earth-observation satellites are assisting the country in agriculture, urban planning and disaster management.
According to SUPARCO, satellite-based remote-sensing technology is being used to monitor agricultural resources, disaster situations, water resources and environmental conditions.
In May 2024, Pakistan launched the ICUBE-Qamar lunar satellite as part of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission. It was Pakistan’s first satellite sent into lunar orbit.
The country is also expanding its Earth-observation programme. According to SUPARCO, the EO-2 satellite launched in 2026 is Pakistan’s second indigenous Earth-observation satellite and the sixth satellite in its national Earth-observation fleet.
### Two Pakistanis undergoing astronaut training in China
Pakistan is also preparing to send its first astronaut to China’s space station. Two Pakistani candidates are currently undergoing training in China, and one of them will eventually be selected for a future space mission.
The selected astronaut will conduct scientific research and participate in experiments aboard the Chinese space station.
SUPARCO launched the programme under an agreement with China’s human spaceflight agency. According to the agency, one of the two candidates will be selected after completing the training.
A Reuters report published in September said Jishan Ali and Khurram Dawood are currently undergoing training in Beijing. The final candidate is expected to be selected in October. Source: Samaa TV.