Pakistan has named its first lunar rover “Jinnah-1”, drawing on the legacy of the country’s founder as it prepares to send its first locally developed rover to the Moon.
Pakistan's space agency, Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), announced the name of the rover on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s ambitions for space exploration and lunar science.
Jinnah-1 is scheduled to travel to the Moon in 2029 aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission. The rover will be deployed in the Moon’s south polar region, where it is expected to carry out scientific investigations and test Pakistani-built technology on the lunar surface.
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How Jinnah-1 was named
The name was selected through a nationwide public competition that received more than 4,000 entries from across Pakistan. “Jinnah-1” was proposed independently by seven participants and was eventually selected as the winning entry, according to Bloom Pakistan.
The final winner was chosen through a draw, with 17-year-old Tayyab Karim from Bahawalnagar declared the successful entrant.
The name pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, while also reflecting the country’s aspirations in science, technology and space exploration.
{{/usCountry}}The name pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, while also reflecting the country’s aspirations in science, technology and space exploration.
{{/usCountry}}The “-1” designation also suggests a beginning, potentially marking the first of a series of Pakistani lunar missions.
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What will Jinnah-1 do on the Moon?
Once deployed, Jinnah-1 is expected to conduct scientific studies in the Moon’s harsh south polar environment.
Its planned research will include examining lunar surface characteristics, plasma and radiation. The rover will also contribute to experiments relevant to future lunar exploration and the possibility of sustained human activity on the Moon.
The lunar south pole has become a major focus of international space exploration because of its permanently shadowed regions and the possibility of water ice and other resources.
More on the project
Pakistan’s rover project also highlights its growing cooperation with China in space exploration. Chang’e-8 is part of China’s broader lunar programme, which aims to advance scientific research and lay the groundwork for future lunar infrastructure.
For SUPARCO, Jinnah-1 represents both a technological undertaking and a national milestone. The mission could provide Pakistani scientists and engineers with valuable experience in planetary robotics, lunar science and deep-space operations.
If the mission goes as planned, Jinnah-1 will carry the name of Pakistan’s founder to the lunar surface while marking a new chapter in the country’s efforts to establish itself in space exploration.