A Pakistani astronaut is set to participate in an upcoming mission to China’s Tiangong space station, reflecting growing space collaboration between Islamabad and Beijing, as announced by Chinese authorities on Wednesday.
This milestone follows a major agreement signed between the two nations in late February, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Speaking at a press briefing held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang shared that Pakistan’s astronaut selection process has officially begun. He stated the process will mirror the rigorous procedures followed for Chinese astronauts and will consist of three stages: preliminary, secondary, and final.
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The initial stage of candidate selection is taking place in Pakistan, while the next two phases will be conducted in China. Ultimately, two finalists will be chosen to undergo specialized training in Chinese facilities.
“One Pakistani astronaut will join a joint spaceflight as a payload specialist,” Lin noted. In addition to standard crew duties, the astronaut will perform scientific research on behalf of Pakistan while aboard the station.
This development aligns with China’s broader initiative to enhance international cooperation in its space exploration efforts. Beijing is also in talks with various nations about sending their astronauts on future missions to the Tiangong station.
The announcement coincided with preparations for China’s next crewed spaceflight, Shenzhou-20, set to launch at 5:17 pm local time on Thursday. This mission is another step in China’s plan to establish a long-term presence in low Earth orbit.
According to CMSA, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will carry astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie to the space station. While Chen Dong will be embarking on his third mission, both Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — a space engineer and a former air force pilot respectively — will make their first journeys into space.
The mission will involve conducting scientific experiments, installing systems to protect against space debris, and carrying out spacewalks. It will also include biological studies involving zebrafish, planarians, and streptomyces to further microgravity research in life sciences.
The crew is expected to stay at the Tiangong station until late October and will receive supplies mid-mission via the uncrewed Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft. Meanwhile, the current Shenzhou-19 crew is scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 at the Dongfeng landing site.
Additionally, Chinese media reported that astronauts from Hong Kong, Macau, and Pakistan — selected as part of China’s fourth astronaut group — are currently undergoing training for future missions. The first flights involving Hong Kong and Macau astronauts are anticipated by 2026.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward for Pakistan’s space program, highlighting its ambitions to strengthen scientific and technological ties with China.
