Pakistan is set to send its first astronaut into space, with Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal confirming that the program will formally begin next year.
The mission is part of a collaboration between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China’s human spaceflight program. Under the plan, two Pakistani candidates will undergo training at China’s astronaut center, with one ultimately chosen to serve as a scientific payload specialist.
The selection process, which started earlier this year, will run through 2026. The final candidate will join a mission to China’s space station, where they will carry out scientific experiments in fields such as biology, medical sciences, fluid mechanics, materials research, environmental studies, and astronomy.
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Minister Iqbal called the program a landmark achievement for the nation, reaffirming that Pakistan is committed to sending its first astronaut to the Chinese space station by 2026. He described it as a historic step forward in the country’s journey into space exploration.