ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan is poised to make history by sending its first astronaut to space, thanks to a landmark cooperation agreement between the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
According to the agreement, two Pakistani astronauts will be trained in the Astronaut Center of China for a period, and one of them shall be earmarked to participate in a future mission to China’s Tiangong Space Station as a scientific payload specialist.
The process is expected to conclude by 2026. The Pakistani astronaut will conduct medical sciences, aerospace, physics, space radiation, ecology, and astronomy experàiments aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS).
Additional scientific experiments would serve to enhance space technology for future experiences and science developed for the benefit of life on Earth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed this agreement as a groundbreaking event in the history of Pakistan’s space program which shall determine the country’s endeavors in human space flight.
He accentuated the progress made by Pakistan in space science and technology, namely satellite launches and contributions to global scientific research.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal expressed that this kind of partnership could be a major boost to Pakistan’s human spaceflight capability and speed up technology-related innovations.
Dr. Lin Xiqiang, CMSA Director General welcomed Pakistan to be joining this program, emphasizing the rapidly growing space cooperation between the two nations.
SUPARCO Chairman Mohammad Yousuf Khan referred to the initiative as an important milestone that would encourage professionals and researchers to contribute to the program.
