Pakistan is set to make history as two of its citizens will soon begin astronaut training in China, marking the country’s first direct step toward human space exploration. Under Pakistan’s Astronaut Programme, two individuals will be selected this month for one year of training at the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The selected astronauts will spend their training at the Astronaut Centre of China, where they will undergo rigorous preparation in multiple disciplines. Their mission is scheduled for October 2026, when they will travel to Tiangong – the Chinese Space Station (CSS) – for a one-week stay in orbit.

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has already invited scientific proposals from across Pakistan for experiments to be carried out aboard the CSS. Out of these, 300 have been shortlisted, spanning fields such as biological and medical sciences, aerospace, applied physics, fluid mechanics, space radiation, material sciences, ecology, astronomy, and microgravity studies.

Earlier this year, Suparco signed a landmark cooperation agreement with CMSA, laying the foundation for Pakistan’s first astronaut mission. According to officials, one astronaut will also train as a scientific payload specialist, focusing on experiments that could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, environmental monitoring, and space technology, with direct benefits for life on Earth.

The CSS is equipped with advanced laboratories, external adaptors, and research modules, allowing multi-domain scientific exploration. Pakistani researchers see this as an opportunity to contribute to global knowledge while boosting the country’s standing in space science and innovation.

The astronaut selection process, which began in April 2025, is part of a broader five-year action plan between Pakistan and China. Both nations agreed to expand cooperation in astronaut training, deep space exploration, and the eventual development of a Pakistan Space Centre.

As outlined in the Action Plan (2025–2029) and the 2021–2030 Space Cooperation Programme, Pakistan and China are also exploring joint participation in lunar research initiatives, including studies for the International Lunar Research Station.

This historic milestone positions Pakistan alongside a select group of nations preparing human missions with the support of China, strengthening bilateral ties and opening the door for future advancements in advanced space technologies.