Beijing/Islamabad: China has announced it will arrange for a Pakistani astronaut to perform short-term missions as part of its ongoing space station programme, state news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday.
According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the astronaut from Pakistan will train alongside Chinese counterparts and participate in onboard experiments during the mission. The move marks the first time a Pakistani national will join a human spaceflight under China’s ambitious Tiangong space station initiative.
Two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training alongside Chinese astronauts, and one of them will be selected to participate in a short-duration spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Thursday pic.twitter.com/dVSp6TlbHz
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) October 30, 2025
CMSA officials told reporters that the decision follows a growing record of cooperation between the two nations in space technology. In March, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and CMSA signed a landmark agreement to send Pakistan’s first astronaut to China’s space station — an arrangement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed as “another wonderful gesture” from Beijing to deepen bilateral collaboration in science and technology.
As part of the expanding partnership, China has agreed to provide one billion yuan in financing for the Pakistan Space Centre Project, a loan package already approved by the federal cabinet. Beijing also continues to support Pakistan’s satellite programmes and launch services.
China is currently selecting astronauts from Pakistan, with one expected to take part in a short-duration space mission at an appropriate time, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/hRwor7C14Y
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) October 30, 2025
Earlier this year, Pakistan successfully placed its first hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite HS-1 into orbit from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre — a mission hailed by SUPARCO as a “historic leap” for the country’s space capabilities. HS-1, designed for precision monitoring of agriculture, environment, water resources, and disaster management, will enhance data-driven planning and strengthen early-warning systems for floods and landslides.
Analysts say these achievements align with Pakistan’s National Space Programme 2047, which seeks to boost indigenous capacity in Earth observation and satellite communications. China’s continuing technical and financial assistance — from satellite launches to astronaut training — underscores what both governments describe as a “deep and enduring strategic partnership” extending beyond Earth’s boundaries.
