Pakistan has named its first lunar rover “Jinnah-1”, drawing on the legacy of the country’s founder as it prepares to send its first locally developed rover to the Moon.
Pakistan’s space agency, Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), announced the name of the rover on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s ambitions for space exploration and lunar science.
What will Jinnah-1 do on the Moon?
Jinnah-1 is scheduled to travel to the Moon in 2029 aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission. Chang’e-8 is part of China’s broader lunar programme, which aims to advance scientific research and lay the groundwork for future lunar infrastructure. For SUPARCO, Jinnah-1 represents both a technological undertaking and a national milestone.
The rover will be deployed in the Moon’s south polar region, where it is expected to carry out scientific investigations and test Pakistani-built technology on the lunar surface. The name pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, while also reflecting the country’s aspirations in science, technology and space exploration. Its planned research will include examining lunar surface characteristics, plasma and radiation. The rover will also contribute to experiments relevant to future lunar exploration and the possibility of sustained human activity on the Moon. Pakistan’s rover project also highlights its growing cooperation with China in space exploration. The mission could provide Pakistani scientists and engineers with valuable experience in planetary robotics, lunar science and deep-space operations.
