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Pakistan has taken a significant step forward in its human spaceflight ambitions as the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has successfully completed the second phase of astronaut candidate selection, announced the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.
This achievement marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s space program. After an initial screening process within the country, two candidates were shortlisted following extensive medical, psychological, and aptitude evaluations at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC), adhering to international standards for human space missions.
The chosen candidates will now undergo six months of intensive astronaut training at the ACC. After completing this training, one candidate will be selected to participate in a spacecraft mission aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS), planned for October or November of 2026.
ISPR explained that this collaboration is based on the bilateral Astronaut Cooperation Agreement signed in February 2025 under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. This agreement embodies the prime minister’s vision and support, which have been vital in enabling Pakistan’s involvement in human space exploration.
The statement also highlighted that the initiative reflects strong backing from the Chinese government, which selected Pakistan as its first foreign partner in the astronaut program.
This development is seen as a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s space pursuits and showcases the expanding scientific and technological partnership between Pakistan and China.
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