Pakistan has named its first lunar rover “Jinnah-I.” This pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the nation’s founder. SUPARCO revealed the name at a ceremony on Thursday. SUPARCO had earlier invited citizens across the country to suggest names for the rover. The competition drew around 4,000 entries. Nine finalists made it to the last round, and officials picked “Jinnah-I” through a ballot among their suggestions.
Key Highlights
- SUPARCO names Pakistan’s first lunar rover “Jinnah-I” after Muhammad Ali Jinnah
- Naming competition drew roughly 4,000 entries from the public
- Rover set to fly aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission, targeting the Moon’s south pole
- Success would make Pakistan the sixth country to operate a rover on the Moon
- Eleven countries, including Russia, Turkiye, and Italy, are part of the wider mission
‘Jinnah‑I’: Key facts about Pakistan’s first lunar rover
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has officially announced that Pakistan’s first lunar rover has been named “Jinnah‑I” in honor of Muhammad Ali Jinnah — the founder of Pakistan.
The rover is… pic.twitter.com/f8qhNoOyr6
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) August 14, 2026
A Rover Built for the Moon’s South Pole
The weight of Jinnah-I is around 35 kilograms. This rover has been designed in-house by SUPARCO. It has sensors for radiation and plasma. Along with that, a Terrain Testing Instrument is also attached to it to study the lunar soil. Once it lands, the rover will map the surface, test new space tech, and gather data near the Moon’s south pole. Scientists find this area valuable due to its unique terrain and resources.
China will provide the lunar lander that carries Jinnah-I to the Moon’s surface. Pakistani specialists will then take over control of the rover once it arrives. The mission is part of China’s Chang’e-8 program. It will test 3D-printing techniques with lunar soil. This is a step toward building future lunar bases. Eleven countries and regions are taking part in the broader mission, including Russia, Turkiye, South Africa, and Italy.
From Rehbar to the Moon: Pakistan’s Space Journey
Pakistan’s path to this milestone stretches back more than six decades. Pakistan was among the pioneering countries in Asia when it set up SUPARCO. A year later, in 1962, Pakistan launched its first rocket, Rehbar-I. That was launched from the Sonmiani coastal range. This made it the third Asian country to send a rocket into space.
In 1990, Pakistan launched its first satellite, Badr-1, developed by SUPARCO with support from China. The country kept developing its satellite program over the decades. It added communication satellites in the PakSat series. In 2018, it launched its first remote-sensing satellite, PRSS-1, with help from China.
The lunar rover project is based on years of teamwork between SUPARCO and the China National Space Administration (CNSA). On February 5, 2025, the two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding. This agreement officially prepares Pakistan’s rover to join the Chang’e-8 mission. Officials call the project Pakistan’s most ambitious space effort so far. It places the country among a select few nations directly involved in lunar exploration.
What Comes Next
The Chang’e-8 mission is tentatively planned for 2029, though earlier timelines had pointed to 2028. Before launch, SUPARCO engineers will keep testing and improving the rover’s systems. They want to ensure it’s ready for the tough conditions on the lunar surface. If the mission succeeds, Jinnah-I will carry Pakistan’s name and its founder’s legacy to a part of the Moon few countries have ever reached.
