In a historic milestone for Pakistan’s space journey, China has announced plans to send a Pakistani astronaut on a short-term mission to the Tiangong Space Station.
The announcement, made by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and reported by Xinhua News Agency, reflects deepening space cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad.
According to CMSA, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training at the Astronaut Centre of China alongside their Chinese counterparts. One of them will be selected to join a short-duration mission as a payload specialist, participating in scientific research aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
This development follows a landmark cooperation agreement signed earlier in 2025 between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the CMSA. The agreement formalized Pakistan’s participation in China’s manned space program, opening new avenues for scientific collaboration and space technology transfer.
Officials confirmed that the astronaut selection process began in April 2025, with candidates chosen based on rigorous technical, psychological, and physical standards.
Experts say the mission represents not just a step forward in Pakistan’s space exploration ambitions, but also a symbol of regional cooperation in advanced science and technology.
“This mission will mark Pakistan’s entry into human spaceflight and enhance our capabilities in space science and innovation,” a SUPARCO spokesperson noted.
The joint training and upcoming mission are expected to inspire a new generation of scientists and space enthusiasts in Pakistan, paving the way for future partnerships in deep space exploration and satellite research.
