China to Send First Pakistani Astronaut on Space Mission

BEIJING: China has announced plans to send a Pakistani astronaut on a short-term mission to the Tiangong Space Station, marking a historic milestone in Pakistan’s space journey.

The announcement was made by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and reported by state news agency Xinhua on Thursday.

According to CMSA, two Pakistani astronauts will receive training alongside Chinese astronauts at the Astronaut Centre of China, and one will be selected to join a short-duration spaceflight mission as a payload specialist.

The selected astronaut will participate in scientific research aboard China’s space station.

This collaboration follows a landmark cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and CMSA.

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The agreement paved the way for Pakistan’s participation in China’s manned space program, reflecting deepening scientific and technological ties between the two countries.

Officials confirmed that the astronaut selection process began in April 2025, with candidates chosen based on strict technical and physical criteria.

The joint training and upcoming mission are seen as a significant step forward for Pakistan’s space ambitions and regional cooperation in advanced space exploration.