Pak’s Moon Dream To Take Flight On Chinese Rocket

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Pakistan is setting its sights on the moon, aiming to land a spacecraft by 2035 with significant support from China. This ambitious goal was announced by Pakistani officials after a meeting in Beijing.

The plan involves Pakistan contributing a 35-kilogram lunar rover to China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028, which will explore the Moon’s south pole. This collaboration will allow Pakistan to conduct scientific experiments and study the lunar terrain.

Pakistan’s space program, managed by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission faces several hurdles, reports ANI saying the agency has a limited budget of $36 million annually. It has also been led by retired military generals for over a decade, raising concerns about its scientific direction.

The country depends heavily on Chinese assistance for satellite launches and development, which hinders its own capabilities. Recently, three Pakistani-made satellites were launched with Chinese help, and Pakistan hopes to use China’s space station to send its first astronaut into space by 2026. This partnership was described by Geo News as a strategic cooperation that highlights Pakistan’s growing dependence on Chinese technology and expertise.