Pakistan, China ink MoU for lunar mission in 2028

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and China have signed a historic MoU for Pakistan’s first lunar rover to be included in China’s Chang’E 8 mission, set to launch in 2028 for robotic exploration of the Moon’s south pole. The agreement, signed during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to China, marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s space program and its contribution to the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) initiative. Developed by SUPARCO with international collaboration, the rover will carry advanced scientific payloads to study the lunar surface, soil composition, radiation levels, and plasma properties, enhancing deep space exploration capabilities.