ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have reached an agreement to promote space cooperation and send the first Pakistani astronaut on a space flight to the Chinese Space Station.
The agreement was signed between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPPARCO) and China Manned Space Agency at a ceremony on Friday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing his views on the occasion said that this was yet another wonderful gesture from the Chinese government to further deepen bilateral cooperation in this field.
He stressed that under the dynamic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, not only the space programme was progressing speedily but also mega projects in other sectors were built in Pakistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which had really transformed the country’s landscape.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s participation in the China Space Station programme reflects the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and will contribute to mutual knowledge-sharing and the broader vision of peaceful space exploration for the benefit of humanity.
Under the agreement, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training at the Astronaut Centre of China. One selected astronaut shall be trained as a scientific payload specialist, preparing for specialised research aboard the China Space Station (CSS). The astronaut selection process will be completed by 2026, with the aim of flying in an upcoming mission as per CSS planning.
The first national astronaut’s mission at CSS will involve conducting cutting-edge scientific experiments in various fields, including biological and medical sciences, aerospace, applied physics, fluid mechanics, space radiation, ecology, material sciences, microgravity studies, and astronomy.
Director General of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), Dr Lin Xinqiang expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, reaffirming China’s dedication to strengthening international cooperation in space exploration.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s participation in the China Space Station programme reflects the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and will contribute to mutual knowledge-sharing and the broader vision of peaceful space exploration for the benefit of humanity.
