Islamabad: Pakistan has officially launched the selection process for its first-ever manned space mission, which is set to take place aboard China’s Tiangong Space Station.
The announcement was made by a spokesperson from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), confirming the collaboration between the two countries.
In February, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would send astronauts on a manned mission to space in partnership with China.
Following this, Pakistan’s space agency, Suparco, called for proposals for innovative scientific experiments to be conducted aboard the Chinese space station to maximize the mission’s impact.
China’s space program has made rapid advancements, including milestones such as the successful establishment of the Tiangong space station and lunar sample-return missions.
According to CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang, the astronaut selection process will occur in three stages: the initial selection will be conducted in Pakistan, while the secondary and final selection will take place in China.
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The selected astronauts will serve as payload specialists, responsible for conducting scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan.
This marks a significant step as Pakistan joins China’s space station training program, becoming the first foreign country to do so.
PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of space technology in Pakistan’s strategic goals, noting that China remains Pakistan’s “most reliable and strategic partner.”
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The two astronauts will undergo rigorous training at the Astronaut Centre of China, with the selection process expected to conclude by 2026.
