Islamabad:Pakistan’s national space research agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), is set to announce the name of the country’s first lunar rover on August 13.

SUPARCO had invited the public last year to suggest a name for Pakistan’s first lunar rover. The initiative received around 4,000 suggestions from people across the country.

According to SUPARCO officials, one name was selected from the thousands of suggestions received. Interestingly, the same name was proposed by nine different individuals.

A draw will be held to determine the winner among the people who suggested the selected name. The winner will be announced during a ceremony at the SUPARCO headquarters and will receive a cash prize.

Pakistan’s first lunar rover is planned to travel to the Moon as part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission. The mission is scheduled for launch in 2028 aboard a Long March-5 rocket and is expected to land near the Moon’s south pole.

The Pakistani lunar rover will be carried to the lunar surface along with the Chang’e-8 mission. The rover developed by SUPARCO is expected to weigh around 35 kilograms.

Once deployed on the Moon, the rover will conduct various scientific experiments and help collect information about the lunar environment and surface.

The mission marks an important step for Pakistan’s space research programme, as the country’s locally developed lunar rover will participate in scientific activities on the Moon.

The project is also expected to provide Pakistan with valuable experience in lunar exploration and space technology while strengthening the country’s capabilities in scientific research and planetary missions.