Two Pakistani astronauts to get advanced space training in China
China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as
candidates for its human spaceflight programme, marking a major milestone in
bilateral space cooperation and Pakistan’s ambitions in crewed missions.
According to Chinese state media, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have successfully cleared multiple
rounds of selection and will soon travel to China for advanced training.
Both candidates will undergo preparation at the Astronaut Centre of China, with one expected to
participate in an upcoming mission as a payload specialist. If selected for
flight, the astronaut will become the first foreign national to visit China’s
space station.
Mission to China’s Space Station
The programme is being coordinated by the China Manned Space
Agency in collaboration with Pakistan’s Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission.
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to train two Pakistani astronauts for mission to Tiangong Space Station
Under the initiative, Pakistan is preparing for
its first-ever human spaceflight mission to the Tiangong
Space Station, with a launch tentatively planned for late 2026.
During the mission, the Pakistani astronauts
will conduct experiments in microgravity across fields such as material
science, fluid physics, life sciences, and biotechnology. Officials say these
experiments could have applications in climate resilience, food security, and
industrial development.
‘Significant Step’ for Pakistan
SUPARCO described the development as a
“significant step forward” in Pakistan’s space exploration journey, placing the
country among a small group of nations involved in human spaceflight
programmes.
The selection follows a cooperation agreement
signed in 2025 between SUPARCO and CMSA, which laid the groundwork for training
Pakistani astronauts and facilitating participation in missions aboard China’s
space station.
Chinese authorities have described the inclusion
of Pakistani astronauts as a landmark event, highlighting Beijing’s intention
to expand international collaboration in space and share technological
advancements.
Leadership Reaction
Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif welcomed the development, calling it a reflection of strong
Pakistan-China ties and a step toward deeper space exploration.
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Officials say the initiative underscores
growing cooperation between the two countries in high-technology sectors,
particularly as China continues to build partnerships beyond the International Space Station framework, from
which it has been excluded since 2011.
With
training set to begin soon, the mission represents a significant leap for
Pakistan’s space programme and its participation in global space exploration
efforts.
Source: Dawn