Pakistan’s first lunar rover, Jinnah-1, is planned to land on the Moon in 2028, according to the latest information published by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The rover is being developed for China’s Chang’e-8 lunar mission and is expected to operate near the Moon’s south pole.
The latest update is particularly important because earlier reports had referred to a 2029 timeline. SUPARCO’s current Lunar Rover Program page lists 2028 as the launch year, while China’s space agency has separately said Chang’e-8 is planned for launch around 2029. This means the exact mission schedule remains subject to the final Chang’e-8 timetable.
When Will Jinnah-1 Reach the Moon?
SUPARCO says its approximately 35-kilogram lunar rover will travel with China’s Chang’e-8 mission and land in the lunar south-pole region. The agency’s programme page identifies 2028 as the mission’s launch year and the south pole as the planned landing zone.
However, the timeline requires some caution. In August, when SUPARCO officially announced the name Jinnah-1, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that the rover was scheduled to launch in 2029 with Chang’e-8. China’s National Space Administration later stated that Chang’e-8 was scheduled for launch around 2029.
The latest SUPARCO programme information now points to 2028, making it the most recent official Pakistani schedule available. No specific month or day for Jinnah-1’s lunar landing has been announced.
What Will Jinnah-1 Do on the Moon?
Jinnah-1 is designed to carry out scientific research on the lunar surface. SUPARCO says the rover will study lunar soil, map the Moon’s surface and test technologies relevant to future lunar and planetary exploration.
The rover’s mission is linked to the broader International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) effort. The lunar south pole is of particular interest because of its scientific importance and potential resources for future exploration.
SUPARCO officially announced the name Jinnah-1 in August 2026 after a nationwide naming competition that received more than 4,000 proposals. Seven participants suggested the winning name, with 17-year-old Tayyab Karim Khan from Bahawalnagar selected through a balloting process.
For now, the clearest answer is that Pakistan’s Jinnah-1 is planned for a 2028 lunar mission, but the precise landing date has not been announced. The final timing will depend on the confirmed schedule for China’s Chang’e-8 mission.
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