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ICUBE-Q

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ICUBE-Qamar
Satellite in deployed configuration
Mission typeLunar Orbiter
OperatorSUPARCO
COSPAR ID2024-082
SATCATno.59629Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.ist.edu.pk/icube-q
Mission duration2-6 months (planned)
2 months
(in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type
Manufacturer
Launch mass9.0 kg (19.8 lb)[3]
Dry mass6.5 kg (14 lb)[3]
Power139.2watts
Start of mission
Launch date3 May 2024(2024-05-03)
09:27UTC[4]
RocketLong March 5Y8
Launch siteWenchang,China
Deployed fromChang'e 6Orbiter
Deployment date8 May 2024, 08:14 UTC[5]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemSelenocentric
Periapsis altitude200 kilometres (120 mi)
Apoapsis altitude8,600 kilometres (5,300 mi)
Period720 minutes
Instruments
2 Cameras of one mega pixels (1280 × 720) mounted on opposite X panels

ICUBE-Q or ICUBE-QAMAR(Urdu:آئی کیوب-قمر) is a Pakistani lunarremote sensingobservationnanosatelliteand is one of the four international payloads of theChang'e 6lunarsample-returnmission. It is a joint venture between theInstitute of Space Technology(IST),Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission(SUPARCO) and the Intelligent Satellite Technology Center ofShanghai Jiao Tong University(SJTU), under the framework ofAsia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization(APSCO).[6][7][3][8]It is the first deep space mission ofPakistan.[9][10]

Overview[edit]

In 2019, theChina National Space Administration(CNSA) announced an opportunities for payloads in its upcoming lunar sample-return mission ofChang'e 6,the space agency had a slot for payloads weighing less than 10 kg in its orbiting spacecraft.[11]The CNSA has announced in 2022 that it will carry scientific instruments fromFrance,ItalyandSwedenon the Chang'e-6 mission's lander along with aPakistanipayload on the orbiter.[7][12]Pakistan's Institute of Space Technology (IST) had answered the call with a proposal for a lunarCubeSatnamed "ICUBE-Qamar" (ICUBE-Q) and it was selected after a rigorous evaluation. The design and development of ICUBE-Q was a collaborative effort between Institute of Space Technology (IST), Pakistan's national space agency SUPARCO, and China'sShanghai Jiao Tong University(SJTU). IST has been developing several CubeSat in the same series of whichiCube-1was successfully launched in 2013.[7][13][14]

TheShanghai Jiao Tong UniversitySchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics developed the satellite in its Intelligent Satellite Technology Center. The satellite called by them as "SJTU Siyuan 2" had to integrate multiple functions within limited space and mass, including energy supply, communication systems and the scientific experiment equipment. To overcome the gravitational disturbances, strong radiation expostures, temperature fluctuations and threat of lunar dust, the spacecraft was incorporated with multi-sensor fusion technology, multi-layer shielding and advanced thermal control technology to ensure its stable operation.[15][16]SJTU had previously launched its first student satellite APSCO-SSS-2A (SJTU Siyuan 1) in collaboration with IST in October 2021.[17][18]

Description[edit]

TT&C Antennas and Subsystems

The overall project consists of three main parts: the satellite itself, the separation mechanism (which includes the power control box) and the mounting bracket.[7]The on-orbit fault diagnosis algorithm enables the satellite to automatically detect and diagnose possible system faults. The spacecraft also features intelligenttask schedulingstrategy.[3][16]

  • Design Life:3 months (planned).
  • Mass:The entire satellite weighs only 6.5 kg (14 lb) and the total carrying weight reaches 9.0 kg (19.8 lb).[3]
  • Communication:X bandforTT&Cand image data transfer at a data rate of 1 kbit/s.
  • Power:12 V, 11.6 Ah Battery (139.2 watts) with two deployable solar panels.
  • Attitude Control:Three axis control usingreaction wheels,star sensorandSun sensors.
  • Temperature Control:Thermal management systems
  • Payload:2 Visible light cameras of one mega pixel resolution (1280 × 720) mounted on opposite (+/-) X panels.
  • Built Material:Incorporates advanced materials such as specialmagnesium alloyandhoneycombcarbon fiber.[3][16]

Mission summary[edit]

ICUBE-Q was integrated withChang'e 6orbiter after successful qualification tests at SUPARCO and SJTU.[7]On 3 May 2024 the satellite was launched onLong March 5Y8 rocket fromWenchang Space Launch Site.

The satellite was deployed from theChang'e 6lunar orbiter stack in at 08:14 UTC (13:14 PKT) on 8 May 2024 and had undergone testing for the first few days with the first images being expected around 15-16 May 2024.[19]

The mission objectives include obtaining detailed images of the lunar surface and conducting intelligent on-orbit data processing of images, obtaininglunar magnetic fielddata and establish lunar magnetic field model and verifying new technologies such asnanosatellite-leveldeep space lunar-ground communications and low-cost deep space exploration based on micro-nano satellites.[3][7]

The satellite transmitted its first images back to Earth on 11 May 2024 captured from a distance of 200 kilometres from the Moon.[20]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Although called a "CubeSat", it does not follow theCubeSatform factor.[1][2]

References[edit]

  1. ^"ICUBE Q".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved2024-05-03.
  2. ^"What are SmallSats and CubeSats? - NASA".Retrieved2024-05-03.
  3. ^abcdefgThỉnh điểm tán."Vừa mới, quan tuyên phóng ra thành công! Giao đại vệ tinh tùy Thường Nga số 6 phi thiên thăm nguyệt".Weixin Official Accounts Platform.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  4. ^Jones, Andrew (2024-05-03)."China launches Chang'e-6 mission to collect first samples from the moon's far side".SpaceNews.Retrieved2024-05-03.
  5. ^"Pakistan's first lunar satellite ICUBE-Q successfully enters moon's orbit".Arab News Pakistan.Retrieved8 May2024.
  6. ^Shahid, Jamal (2024-05-04)."Pakistan's lunar payload lifts off aboard Chinese mission".DAWN.COM.Retrieved2024-05-09.
  7. ^abcdefInstitute of Space Technology, Islamabad."ICUBE-Q".
  8. ^"APSCO Organized Training Course on the Development of Cubesat ICUBE-Q for Lunar Mission".apsco.int.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  9. ^Correspondent, Our (2024-05-03)."To the moon: Pakistan's first orbiter lifts off".The Express Tribune.Retrieved2024-05-09.
  10. ^Editorial (2024-05-05)."One small step…".DAWN.COM.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  11. ^"Announcement of Opportunities for Scientific Payloads onboard Chang'E-6 Mission"(PDF).CNSA.
  12. ^"China offers int'l cooperation opportunity via Chang'e lunar missions | english.scio.gov.cn".english.scio.gov.cn.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  13. ^Khurshid, Khurram (2011-01-01)."Institute of Space Technology CubeSat: ICUBE-1 subsystem analysis and design".2011 Aerospace Conference.
  14. ^Islam, Qamar."ICUBE-1: First Step towards Developing an Experimental Pico-satellite at Institute of Space Technology".Academia.
  15. ^"Thường Nga số 6 mang theo" tiểu Thường Nga "Trời cao, Trung Quốc đầu viên mười kg dưới thăm nguyệt vệ tinh Thượng Hải tạo," ba thiết "Dùng -6parkbbs".club.6parkbbs.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  16. ^abc"Thượng Hải giao đại này viên thăm nguyệt vệ tinh tùy Thường Nga số 6 phi thiên, sư sinh hiện trường quan khán phóng ra _ phổ giang đầu đề _ mênh mông tin tức -The Paper".thepaper.cn.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  17. ^"News Highlights".apsco.int.Retrieved2024-05-05.
  18. ^Islamabad, IST."APSCO SSS 2A".Institute of Space Technology.
  19. ^https:// arabnews /node/2506841/amp
  20. ^Guramani, Nadir (2024-05-10)."Pakistan's iCube-Qamar beams back first images from moon's orbit".DAWN.COM.Retrieved2024-05-10.
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