Pakistani astronaut to join upcoming Chinese space mission

In a historic move for Pakistan’s space ambitions, China has announced plans to include a Pakistani astronaut in one of its upcoming missions aboard the Tiangong Space Station.

According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), two Pakistani astronauts will undergo rigorous training alongside their Chinese counterparts at the Astronaut Centre of China, after which one will be selected to participate in a short-duration spaceflight mission as a payload specialist.

The collaboration follows a landmark agreement signed earlier this year between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the CMSA — paving the way for Pakistan’s first astronaut to enter orbit.

The selected astronaut will conduct advanced scientific experiments aboard the China Space Station (CSS) in disciplines such as biological and medical sciences, aerospace research, fluid mechanics, material science, ecology, and astronomy.

The Tiangong station is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental racks and external adaptors, allowing researchers to perform cutting-edge studies in microgravity. The results are expected to contribute to breakthroughs in medicine, environmental monitoring, and space technology, offering tangible benefits for life on Earth.

The astronaut training and mission are part of the China-Pakistan Space Cooperation Action Plan (2025–2029) — an initiative aimed at strengthening joint efforts in astronaut training, space science, and technology development, and establishing a Pakistan Space Centre in the coming years.

Both nations also reaffirmed their commitment to work together on lunar and deep-space exploration, including research related to the International Lunar Research Station and future human spaceflight missions.

With this milestone, Pakistan edges closer to joining the elite group of nations with a human presence in space — marking a new chapter in the country’s growing partnership with China and its journey into the cosmos.