ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reached a pivotal milestone in its HumanSpaceflight Programme as two candidates have been shortlisted by theAstronauts Centre of China following rigorous evaluations, theInter-Services Public Relations announced on Saturday. This developmentstems from a bilateral cooperation agreement signed in February 2025between the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and theChina Manned Space Agency, paving the way for one Pakistani to participatein a mission aboard Beijing’s Tiangong space station in late 2026. Theselection underscores deepening Sino-Pakistani ties in space explorationand marks Pakistan’s entry into crewed spaceflight.
The agreement, formalized under the leadership of Prime Minister ShehbazSharif, represents China’s first initiative to train and include foreignastronauts in its manned space programme. It positions Pakistan as theinaugural international partner for missions to the Tiangong station, whichhas been fully operational since 2022 and serves as a platform forscientific research in microgravity environments. The pact outlinescomprehensive training and mission participation, highlighting mutualtechnological exchange and strategic collaboration between the two nations.
The shortlisting followed an initial screening phase conducted domesticallyin Pakistan, where potential candidates were evaluated for basicqualifications. The selected individuals then proceeded to the AstronautsCentre of China for advanced assessments, including detailed medicalexaminations, psychological profiling, and aptitude tests. Theseevaluations adhered strictly to international human spaceflight standards,ensuring only the most capable candidates advanced to the next stage ofpreparation.
Completion of this secondary selection phase signifies a substantialachievement for Suparco, which has long focused on satellite technology,remote sensing, and atmospheric research but is now expanding into humanspaceflight capabilities. The process reflects careful planning andinternational benchmarking, with assessments designed to identifyindividuals resilient to the physical and mental demands of space travel,such as high-altitude simulation, centrifuge testing, and cognitivechallenges under stress.
The two shortlisted candidates will now commence six months of advancedastronaut training at the Astronauts Centre of China. This intensiveprogramme will cover essential skills, including spacecraft operations,extravehicular activities, scientific experiment handling, and emergencyprocedures. Training will integrate them with Chinese astronauts, fosteringinteroperability and shared expertise in preparation for orbital missions.
Upon successful completion of the training regimen, one of the twocandidates will be finalized for a spaceflight mission to the Tiangongspace station, tentatively scheduled for October or November 2026. Themission is expected to be of short duration, with the Pakistani astronautserving as a payload specialist responsible for conducting scientificexperiments on behalf of Pakistan alongside routine station duties. Thisrole will enable valuable data collection in fields such as materialsscience, biology, and Earth observation.
The Tiangong space station, comprising multiple modules with advanced lifesupport systems and research facilities, has hosted numerous Chinese crewssince its assembly. It represents Beijing’s independent capability insustained human presence in low-Earth orbit, following the retirement ofthe International Space Station partnership for China. The inclusion of aPakistani astronaut will be a landmark event, symbolizing expandedinternational access to the station and reinforcing diplomatic bonds.
This collaboration aligns with broader Sino-Pakistani strategicpartnership, including initiatives under the Belt and Road framework thatextend to space technology transfers and joint projects. Experts note thatsuch partnerships enhance scientific capacity building for Pakistan whileallowing China to diversify its astronaut programme and promote globalcooperation in space. The mission also carries symbolic importance,inspiring future generations in Pakistan towards STEM fields and spaceambitions.
Suparco’s progress in this domain builds on decades of foundational work inspace applications, now evolving to include human elements through trustedalliances. The government’s support, evident in facilitating the initialagreement, has been instrumental in accelerating these developments. Astraining progresses, further details on the candidates and experiments areanticipated, potentially including payloads focused on national priorities.
The initiative not only elevates Pakistan’s stature in the global spacecommunity but also contributes to peaceful uses of outer space throughbilateral frameworks. With the 2026 mission on the horizon, anticipationbuilds for this historic achievement, which promises to yield scientificbenefits and strengthen enduring ties between Islamabad and Beijing.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1971638/two-pakistani-candidates-shortlisted-to-train-for-china-space-station-mission
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