Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Pakistan Names First Lunar Rover Jinnah-1 for 2029 Moon Mission
Pakistan is getting ready to send its very first moon rover, a robot car that will explore the Moon.
The rover is named Jinnah-1.
It will fly to the Moon on a Chinese spacecraft called Chang'e-8 in 2029.
Jinnah-1 will explore the south pole of the Moon, a rocky and tricky place.
Scientists think there may be frozen water hidden there in the shadows.
The rover will study the Moon's rocks, radiation, and plasma to help future missions, possibly including sending humans to the Moon.
The name was picked from about 4,000 ideas sent in by people across Pakistan.
Seven people suggested the name Jinnah-1, and a lucky draw chose the winner.
That winner was Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar.
The name honors Muhammad Ali Jinnah, one of Pakistan's most important leaders.
Pakistan's SUPARCO named its first lunar rover Jinnah-1, which will travel to the Moon in 2029 aboard China's Chang'e-8 mission.
The rover will conduct scientific research at the lunar south pole, studying the geology, plasma, and radiation of the lunar surface.
The name was selected from around 4,000 proposals received through a nationwide competition, with the winner chosen by a lucky draw.
Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar, was declared the winner for proposing the name Jinnah-1.
The name honours Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the rover will carry out experiments for future lunar research and the possibility of human activity on the Moon.
- Who
- Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), with China providing the lander; the rover's name was proposed by 17-year-old Tayyab Karim of Bahawalnagar.
- What
- Pakistan named its first lunar rover Jinnah-1, which will ride China's Chang'e-8 mission to study the lunar south pole.
- When
- The name was announced on Thursday; the launch is tentatively scheduled for 2029, with earlier plans indicating 2028.
- Where
- The lunar south pole; the naming ceremony was held in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Why
- To conduct scientific research, study the lunar surface's geology, plasma and radiation, and support future lunar exploration and possible human activity on the Moon.
- Space agency
- Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO)
- First lunar rover
- Jinnah-1
- Carrier mission
- China's Chang'e-8 mission, involving 11 countries and regions including Russia, Türkiye, South Africa, and Italy
- Planned launch year
- 2029 (earlier plans had indicated 2028)
- Destination
- Lunar south pole
- Estimated rover weight
- Around 35 kg
- Naming contest
- Around 4,000 proposals nationwide; winner chosen by lucky draw among seven participants
- Contest winner
- Tayyab Karim, 17, from Bahawalnagar
