ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): In a landmark advancement in Pakistan’s Manned Space Mission Program, two Pakistanis have been selected as the first foreign astronauts for China’s space mission training, the China Manned Space Agency and SUPARCO announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission said that two astronaut candidates, Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, are set to depart for China to begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC).
China’s space agency, in a separate statement, confirmed that after completing all training and evaluations, one of them will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut onboard the Tiangong space station.
The first selection of Pakistani astronauts for China’s manned space program was completed in early April. Earlier, in February this year, Suparco said that it had completed the secondary selection phase of two astronaut candidates for the country’s first Human Spaceflight Programme.
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announces a landmark advancement in Pakistan’s Manned Space Mission Program as two Astronaut Candidates, Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali are set to depart for the People’s Republic of China to begin advanced… pic.twitter.com/Nfl5WBGOdO
— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) April 22, 2026
According to the Suparco, under this collaboration, Pakistan is preparing for its first-ever participation in a mission to the China Space Station. “The mission is currently planned for launch in late 2026, where a Pakistani astronaut will serve as a Payload Expert aboard the Shenzhen mission,” it said.
“This is a significant step forward in Pakistan’s space exploration journey that positions the country in the community of a select group of nations actively engaged in human spaceflight programs,” Suparco added.
Pakistani astronaut’s mission
“During the mission aboard the ‘China Space Station (CSS)’, the Pakistani astronaut will conduct several scientific experiments in microgravity.”
Moreover, it added that these experiments span critical areas including “material science, fluid physics, life/ bio science, and biotechnology, with potential applications for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation.”
On the historical occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the efforts of Suparco, a harbinger of deep space exploration.
“He also appreciated ironclad China-Pakistan brotherhood, yet another testimony of which is choosing Pakistan to be the first country for participation in the Manned Space Mission,” the Suparco statement concluded.
