Pakistan is preparing to take its first major step towards lunar exploration, with plans to send a rover named Jinnah-1 to the Moon in 2029 with China's support.
The rover will be carried aboard China's Chang'e-8 mission and is expected to conduct scientific research near the lunar south pole, a region that has drawn significant interest because of its difficult terrain and the possibility of water ice reserves, per a report by NDTV.
Jinnah-1 name chosen from 4,000 entries
Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced the rover's name at a ceremony in Islamabad.
The name was selected through a nationwide competition that received around 4,000 proposals. Seven participants had suggested "Jinnah-1", after which the winner was decided through a lucky draw, according to a SUPARCO statement.
Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar, was declared the winner for proposing the name.
The name pays tribute to Pakistan's founder, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. According to the SUPARCO chairman, it represents the country's resolve, progress and ambitions in space exploration.
Rover to study Moon's south pole
Jinnah-1 will focus on studying the geology of the lunar surface and conducting experiments linked to future lunar research.
The mission will target the Moon's south pole, where the challenging landscape could provide opportunities for scientific discoveries. The region has become an important area of interest in lunar exploration because of its potential water ice deposits.
The planned mission would mark Pakistan's entry into lunar scientific research through its own rover, although it will rely on China's Chang'e-8 mission for its journey to the Moon.
Pakistan-China space cooperation
SUPARCO announced its collaboration with China's Chang'e-8 mission in 2024. The agency described the agreement as a major milestone for Pakistan's space programme.
If the mission proceeds as planned, Jinnah-1 will travel to the Moon in 2029 and conduct scientific research as part of the Chang'e-8 mission, marking a new phase in Pakistan's space programme.