Pakistan sends astronaut to China’s space station. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has completed the secondary phase of astronaut candidate selection, marking another step in Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight programme, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
After an initial screening in Pakistan, two candidates were shortlisted after undergoing detailed medical, psychological and fitness assessments at the Astronauts Center of China (ACC). SUPARCO said the evaluations were conducted in accordance with international standards for human spaceflight.
The two shortlisted candidates will now undergo six months of advanced astronaut training at ACC. After completing the training, one of them will be selected for a space flight mission aboard the Chinese space station in October or November 2026.
Read: Pakistan successfully launches first hyperspectral satellite from China
The cooperation is based on the bilateral “Astronaut Cooperation Agreement” signed in February 2025 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan was chosen by China as the first foreign partner in its astronaut program, reflecting close ties between the two countries.
SUPARCO director Shafaat Ali said on December 27 that Pakistan’s space ambitions are also focused on the Moon by 2026, with the project supported by the governments of both Pakistan and China.
