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China has announced plans to facilitate a Pakistani astronaut’s participation in their space station missions, according to the state news agency Xinhua on Thursday. The Pakistani astronaut will undergo training alongside Chinese astronauts, with one being chosen for a brief spaceflight mission as a payload specialist.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) revealed during a press conference that two Pakistani astronauts will train at the Astronaut Centre of China. Of these, one will be selected specifically for a short-term mission, focusing on scientific research while aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS).
Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) signed a cooperation agreement with CMSA to prepare for Pakistan’s first astronauts to journey to the CSS, known as Tiangong. As part of this agreement, both astronauts will receive training in China, with one expected to serve as a scientific payload expert for advanced research on the station.
The selection process, which began this April, aims to prepare astronauts for a variety of scientific experiments covering biology, medicine, aerospace, physics, space radiation, ecology, materials science, microgravity effects, and astronomy. The Chinese space station is outfitted with cutting-edge experimental racks and external modules to support research across multiple disciplines. Results from these studies could lead to breakthroughs in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and space technology, ultimately benefiting life on Earth.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and China committed to expanding their space collaboration, including astronaut training and the development of a dedicated Pakistan Space Centre as part of their five-year strategic plan. This initiative is a component of their broader Action Plan (2025-2029), designed to strengthen space cooperation. The countries will continue working under the 2021-2030 Space Cooperation Outline, a framework that supports joint lunar and deep-space explorations, including assessments of the International Lunar Research Station and shared advances in space tech.
The partnership also involves the joint selection and training of astronauts, a step toward enabling Pakistan’s future participation in human spaceflight missions alongside China.
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