Key Points:
- SUPARCO completes secondary phase of astronaut selection in collaboration with China
- Two candidates shortlisted after rigorous assessments at China’s Astronauts Centre
- One Pakistani astronaut to fly to Chinese Space Station in late 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has advanced its human spaceflight ambitions with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) completing the secondary phase of astronaut selection and shortlisting two candidates for advanced training under a landmark partnership with China, a military statement said on Saturday.
The candidates were selected after undergoing comprehensive medical, psychological, and aptitude evaluations at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC), conducted in line with international human spaceflight standards, following an initial screening process in Pakistan.
Both shortlisted candidates will now undertake six months of advanced astronaut training at ACC. Upon completion, one candidate will be selected for a spaceflight mission aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS), scheduled for October or November 2026.
The programme is being carried out under the bilateral Astronaut Cooperation Agreement signed in February 2025, which enables Pakistan’s participation in human spaceflight missions. The initiative was launched under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, whose vision and support facilitated Pakistan’s entry into this advanced domain.
China selected Pakistan as the first foreign partner in its astronaut programme, reflecting strong bilateral cooperation in space science and technology. The collaboration includes astronaut selection, training, and mission participation, marking a new chapter in Pakistan’s space ambitions.
