Islamabad, April 05: The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has announced a significant opportunity for the country’s scientific community as it prepares for Pakistan’s first-ever human spaceflight mission.
With the nation’s first astronaut expected to travel to the Chinese Space Station (CSS) by the end of 2026—pending the successful completion of astronaut training—Suparco is inviting scientists, researchers, and students to submit proposals for space-based experiments.
These experiments will be conducted aboard the CSS in order to take full advantage of its microgravity environment and cutting-edge research facilities.
Suparco is seeking innovative, lightweight, and cost-effective experiments that can be executed within a one-week timeframe in microgravity.
The selected proposals must align with the scientific objectives of the CSS and support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The research should also be novel, unique, and relevant to current scientific and industrial needs.
Priority Areas
Priority will be given to proposals in the fields of space life sciences, biotechnology, material science, fluid dynamics, astrophysics, and fundamental physics.
In particular, Suparco encourages experiments in agriculture and medical sciences, where the conditions of microgravity have the potential to yield groundbreaking discoveries and advancements.
The CSS orbits the Earth in an elliptical path inclined at 41.5 degrees to the equator, maintaining an altitude of around 380 kilometers.
It completes one orbit in approximately 92 minutes and travels at an average speed of 7.7 kilometers per second.
Read More: Pakistan First Nation to Enter China Space Station Training Program
These unique conditions provide an ideal platform for experiments that are not possible under Earth’s gravitational constraints.
The CSS is equipped with specialized experiment racks and state-of-the-art facilities that make it suitable for diverse scientific investigations.
Pakistan’s First Journey into Space
According to Suparco, the initiative is not only a step forward in Pakistan’s journey into human space exploration but also a chance for researchers to achieve global recognition.
Successful experiments may lead to publications in high-impact journals, the development of commercial technologies, and even the filing of patents, contributing directly to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
Additionally, the program is expected to foster collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry.
Also Read: SUPARCO to Launch Pakistan First Satellite from China
Interested participants must submit their proposals by April 30, 2025.
More detailed information, including submission guidelines and available research facilities, can be accessed through Suparco’s official portal at https://sead.pk/Announcement/Detail/5094.
This initiative represents a pivotal moment for the nation’s scientific and technological landscape, offering an exceptional opportunity for Pakistan’s emerging scientists and engineers to leave their mark on the global stage of space exploration.
