Pakistan is set to make history by sending its first astronaut to space next year under a partnership with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The mission, jointly organized by SUPARCO — Pakistan’s national space agency — and Chinese space authorities, will mark the country’s formal entry into human space exploration.
According to officials, two Pakistani astronauts have been shortlisted to receive training at the Astronaut Center of China. Following months of rigorous physical and technical preparation, one of them will be selected to travel aboard China’s Tiangong Space Station in 2026.
Experts say the mission symbolizes Pakistan’s growing commitment to scientific research and technological advancement, particularly in the field of space science. It also reflects deepening cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing in aerospace and innovation.
If successful, the mission will make Pakistan one of the few developing countries to have launched a citizen into space — a moment of pride for the nation and a sign of its emerging role in the global space community.
