Pakistan’s first lunar rover, Jinnah-1, is expected to land on the Moon in 2028, according to Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission Chairman Yusuf Khan. Addressing an event marking World Space Week, Khan said Pakistan is making progress in its space programme, with the country increasingly relying on its own satellite capabilities rather than depending solely on foreign systems for its space based needs.
Khan said World Space Week plays an important role in introducing young people to space technology, noting that Pakistan’s space programme has made significant progress in recent years. He pointed to the country’s satellite launches as a key marker of this progress, noting that Pakistan launched its E-1 satellite in January 2025, followed by two more satellites launched in July and October 2025. These three launches within less than a year reflect an accelerated pace of satellite deployment compared to Pakistan’s earlier space programme history, when gaps between launches were typically measured in years rather than months.
According to Khan, Pakistan currently operates six Earth observation satellites supporting activities across various sectors. These satellites are being used to assist agriculture, planning and efforts to respond to natural disasters, giving Pakistan’s government agencies access to satellite derived data for practical applications rather than relying solely on satellite imagery purchased from foreign providers. Earth observation satellites of this kind typically capture data on land use, crop health, weather patterns and other conditions that can inform decisions in sectors ranging from farming to disaster response, areas where timely and locally controlled data can make a meaningful difference in planning and emergency response.
Khan also highlighted the growing use of satellite technology to expand internet and television coverage in the country, pointing to a role for satellites beyond pure observation and data collection. Expanding connectivity through satellite technology could be particularly relevant for areas of Pakistan where traditional fiber or cellular infrastructure remains limited, offering an alternative means of extending internet and broadcast access to more remote regions where laying physical cable infrastructure would be costly or impractical.
The developments, Khan said, reflect Pakistan’s expanding use of space based technology for communication and practical applications on Earth. With Jinnah-1 set to mark the country’s first lunar rover mission, the project would represent a significant step for Pakistan’s space programme beyond its existing satellite operations, extending its ambitions from Earth orbit toward lunar exploration for the first time. A successful lunar landing would place Pakistan among a relatively small group of countries to have sent a rover to the Moon’s surface, though Khan’s remarks did not disclose further details on Jinnah-1’s specific design, launch partner or mission objectives at the World Space Week event.
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