The Institute of Space Technology (IST), supported by Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO, collaborated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China to develop ICUBE-Q, Pakistan’s first lunar-orbiting CubeSat. Launched aboard China’s Chang’e-6 mission in May 2024, the satellite entered lunar orbit and conducted imaging and magnetic field measurements. The project was implemented under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), demonstrating Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its space science capabilities through international payload collaboration.
Prerequisites:
• Access to technical expertise in space science R&D
• International partnerships with agencies or commercial providers
• Procurement pathway
• Partner support as needed
Cost:
Lite payloads – CubeSats, ISS experiments
• Ballpark: USD 100k–1M
• Includes: experiment design and preparation, integration with partner spacecraft or ISS module, launch and operations support, researcher training, data access and analysis
Full payloads – instruments on satellites or deep-space missions
• Ballpark: USD 1M–50M
• Includes: joint science definition, co-design and manufacturing of payload/instrument, environmental testing and AIV, integration with host spacecraft, launch and commissioning, operations and science exploitation
Timeframe:
Lite payloads
• Overall 24–48 mo
• Phase: partnership scoping & agreements (6–12 mo), payload/experiment design (6–12 mo), integration & launch (6–12 mo), operations & data analysis (6–12 mo)
Full payloads
• Overall 48–96 mo
• Phase: scoping & agreements (6–12 mo), payload design & development (18–36 mo), integration & testing (12–24 mo), launch & commissioning (6–12 mo), science operations & data analysis (12–24 mo)
Pros:
• Technology Access – Enables access to cutting-edge technologies through collaboration with space-leading nations.
• Cost Efficiency – Reduces costs by sharing resources through joint research missions.
Considerations:
• Decision-Making Challenges - Complicates decision-making due to differing governance structures and strategic interests.
• Funding Stability Requirement – Requires consistent and long-term financial commitment to support the continuity and success of extended space initiatives.