A Pakistani astronaut is set to travel to China’s space station as part of the Shenzhou-24 mission this year, marking a historic milestone in Pakistan-China space cooperation.
According to Chinese state media, the astronaut will serve as a payload specialist during the mission and become the first foreign visitor to China’s space station. The development is part of bilateral cooperation between the two countries under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported the development on Saturday, citing the China Manned Space Agency. However, Chinese authorities have not yet officially disclosed the identity of the Pakistani astronaut or announced the mission’s launch date.
Two Pakistani Astronauts in Training
Although China has not named the astronaut selected for the mission, two Pakistani pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, have been undergoing training in China.
According to a Pakistani space agency official who spoke to Reuters in September, both pilots had spent several months training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing.
Their preparation is part of Pakistan’s efforts to send its first astronaut into space through cooperation with China.
Earlier, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal had announced that Pakistan’s first astronaut would be launched into space from China on November 25. However, the Chinese authorities have yet to announce an official date for the Shenzhou-24 mission.
Pakistan to Send First Astronaut to Space from China on November 25
First Foreign Visitor to China’s Space Station
CCTV reported that the Pakistani astronaut would undertake a short-term flight in orbit as a payload specialist before returning to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft.
The mission will mark the first joint spaceflight involving Chinese and foreign astronauts in the history of China’s manned space programme.
The participation of a Pakistani astronaut represents an important step in Beijing’s efforts to expand international cooperation in space exploration.
Pakistan-China Space Cooperation
The mission highlights the growing partnership between Pakistan and China in science, technology and space exploration.
China has been expanding its space programme and developing international partnerships through its space diplomacy initiatives. Pakistan’s participation in a crewed mission to the Chinese space station will provide an opportunity for the country to gain experience in human spaceflight and related scientific activities.
The selection of the astronaut, mission schedule and further operational details are still awaited from Chinese authorities.
Once completed, the mission will represent a significant achievement for Pakistan’s space programme and a new chapter in the country’s cooperation with China.
