ICUBE Q

ICUBE Q [IST]

The small ICUBE Q (ICUBE Qamar) is Pakistan's first lunar mission developed by students at the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.

The project overall consists of three main parts: the satellite itself, the separation mechanism (including the power control box), and the mounting bracket. ICUBE-Q weighs approximately 7 kg and carries two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. It also features essential systems for attitude control, thermal management, and deep-space communication.

The flight opportunity on board of the Chinese Chang'e 6 moon lander was offered by the Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)-

The main mission objectives are as follows:

Primary Mission Success

• Successful separation of the ICUBE-Q CubeSat into lunar orbit from Chang’e-6 Orbiter
• Use of the Orbiter camera to record the release process of ICUBE-Q

Secondary Mission Success

• Successful reception of beacon signal from ICUBE-Q, confirming successful operation of the CubeSat

Tertiary Mission Success

• Take pictures of the Orbiter, the Earth and the Moon, and try to take pictures of 2 or 3 of the objects (Moon, Earth and Orbiter) together
• Obtain lunar magnetic field data; establish lunar magnetic field model and lay the foundation for subsequent international cooperation on the Moon.

ICUBE-Q was launched on 3 May 2024 as a piggy-back payload on the Chinese Chang'e 6 moon lander, which will deploy ICUBE-Q after reaching lunar orbit.

Note: although called a "Cubesat", it does not follow the CubeSat form factor.