ISLAMABAD, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif felicitated his nation and scientists on sending Pakistan's first satellite to the moon with China's cooperation on Friday, the prime minister's office said in a statement.

The ICUBE-Q moon satellite is Pakistan's first step in space and the country's scientists and engineers are proving their abilities in this field just like they did in the other fields, the statement quoted Sharif as having said.

"The higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the oceans, and sweeter than honey Pakistan-China friendship has further ascended to transcend the boundaries of space with the mission," the prime minister said.

This is a historic moment in the journey of technological advancement as with this important success, Pakistan has entered a new era of utilizing space for its objectives, he added.

This success will enhance Pakistan's capabilities in satellite communication, and create new opportunities for scientific research, economic development, and national security, he said.

Talking to media, the Chairman of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission Mohammad Yousuf Khan called the mission a milestone for Pakistan that will pave the way for the research and development of space sciences in Pakistan.

A Long March-5 rocket carrying the Chang'e-6 spacecraft blasted off from its launchpad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on the coast of China's southern island province of Hainan on Friday afternoon.

The mission is carrying four payloads developed through international cooperation. Scientific instruments from France, Italy, and the European Space Agency/Sweden are aboard the Chang'e-6 lander, and the satellite from Pakistan is aboard the orbiter. Enditem

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