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Pakistan to send first astronaut to Chinese space station; how candidate will be selected
By offering access to its space programme, China strengthens its ties with Islamabad while positioning itself as a champion of technological inclusivity for the Global South
- PUBLISHED: Mon 24 Mar 2025, 11:31 AM
China’s Tiangong space station is on the verge of a historic milestone, as it prepares to host its first foreign visitor — a Pakistani astronaut. This unprecedented collaboration, cemented through a high-level agreement, will mark Pakistan’s entry into human spaceflight and further solidify the strategic partnership between Beijing and Islamabad.
The "Agreement on the Selection and Training of Pakistani Astronauts and Their Participation in China’s Space Station Missions" was signed earlier this March between the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The agreement underscores a shared ambition: training and deploying Pakistani astronauts to the Tiangong space station, which has been in orbit for nearly four years.
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The signing ceremony, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, was attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The initiative is a landmark for Tiangong to host non-Chinese astronauts, a move that aligns with Beijing’s broader space diplomacy.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif hailed the agreement as a pivotal moment in bilateral cooperation. He credited President Xi Jinping’s leadership for China’s rapid advancements in space technology and drew a parallel with the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Pakistan’s infrastructure and economy. According to Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s participation in the China Space Station programme signifies the depth of strategic ties between the two nations and promotes the vision of peaceful space exploration for the greater good of humanity.
Selection, training process
Under the agreement, the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts will take approximately a year. The chosen candidates will travel to China for an intensive regimen designed to prepare them for the rigors of spaceflight.
The first hurdle they must overcome is learning Mandarin, as Chinese is the operational language aboard Tiangong. While they are expected to possess strong physical and psychological endurance, the training will further refine their adaptability to microgravity.
For those without prior aviation experience, mastering basic astronautic skills — including eating, drinking, sleeping, and personal hygiene in a zero-gravity environment — will be essential.
Once aboard the Tiangong space station, the selected Pakistani astronaut will conduct at least one scientific experiment, designed by Pakistani researchers. Their research will span multiple disciplines, including biological and medical sciences, aerospace technology, applied physics, fluid mechanics, space radiation, ecology, material sciences, microgravity studies, and astronomy. This marks a significant step in Pakistan’s scientific engagement with outer space.
Upon completion of the training, one astronaut will be selected for the mission, joining Chinese astronauts on a journey to the Tiangong space station. The colossal spacecraft orbits the Earth at approximately 400 kilometres above ground and represents China’s ambition to establish a self-sustaining space outpost. The mission will mark the first time a Pakistani citizen ventures beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
To date, the highest altitude achieved by a Pakistani national is 87.4 kilometres, a record set by Namira Salim, a polar explorer and artist. She embarked on a 55-minute suborbital journey with British-American aerospace company Virgin Galactic on October 6, 2023. However, true outer space — defined by the Kármán line at 100 kilometres above sea level — has yet to be crossed by a Pakistani astronaut. This upcoming mission will change that narrative.
The cooperation agreement sets a precedent for other developing nations seeking entry into human spaceflight. It showcases China’s willingness to share its technological capabilities and signals its broader aspirations of leading international space collaboration. Experts believe that the agreement will inspire more nations to join hands in unraveling the mysteries of the universe, paving the way for an era of collective advancement in space exploration.
Since Tiangong’s initial module was launched in April 2021, China has consistently signaled its openness to international collaboration. Key figures such as Yang Liwei, China’s first astronaut in space and a deputy chief planner of the country’s manned spaceflight programme, and Lin Xiqiang, deputy head of the China Manned Space Agency, have reiterated Beijing’s willingness to welcome foreign astronauts aboard its space station.
Tiangong, a three-module station, was constructed between 2021 and 2022 as part of a decades-long ambition to establish China’s human spaceflight capabilities. Since its inception, the station has hosted seven three-person crews of Chinese astronauts, from the inaugural Shenzhou-12 mission in June 2021 to the ongoing Shenzhou-19 mission. Typically, these missions last six months, with astronauts responsible for station maintenance, research, and operations.
Looking ahead, China has plans to expand Tiangong to six modules and introduce a new-generation crew spacecraft, which will be transported aboard the Long March 10 launcher. This expansion aligns with China’s broader space ambitions and cements its role as a leader in orbital operations.
China’s decision to invite Pakistan into its space programme is also part of its wider geopolitical strategy. Space diplomacy has become a crucial component of Beijing’s global outreach, reinforcing its status as a technological powerhouse, particularly among developing nations. This initiative dovetails with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), under which Pakistan remains a key partner. By offering access to its space programme, China strengthens its ties with Islamabad while positioning itself as a champion of technological inclusivity for the Global South.
The agreement delivers substantial benefits to both countries. For China, it showcases its leadership in space technology and reinforces its influence among nations aspiring to develop space programmes. For Pakistan, it provides a rare and valuable opportunity to participate in human spaceflight — something that would have been unattainable without external support. It also serves as a morale boost for Pakistan’s scientific and technological community, proving that the country can engage in major space missions despite limited resources compared to regional competitors such as India.
China’s initiative will be closely watched by other space-faring nations including its global rivals. The United States, which leads the International Space Station (ISS) programme, has announced plans to deorbit the station by 2030. However, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and advisor to former US President Donald Trump, has advocated for an even earlier deorbiting, raising concerns about a potential leadership vacuum in low Earth orbit.
NASA’s transition plan involves shifting operations to commercial space stations post-ISS retirement. Yet, companies engaged in these projects have urged NASA and Congress to take immediate steps to prevent a potential space station gap, fearing that any delay could allow China to solidify its dominance in low Earth orbit. India, another key player in space exploration, will also take note of this development, as it has long used its space programme to enhance its global standing and diplomatic reach.
Space exploration has long been a domain of competition among major powers. However, China’s initiative to bring Pakistan aboard Tiangong is a testament to the shifting dynamics of international cooperation in space. By extending a hand to developing nations, Beijing is not only fostering diplomatic goodwill but also setting a precedent for a more inclusive approach to space exploration. Whether this model will inspire further partnerships or prompt a renewed space race remains to be seen. But for Pakistan, this moment represents an extraordinary leap toward the stars.
Will a Pakistani astronaut set foot on the Moon?
The idea of a Pakistani astronaut reaching the Moon may sound ambitious, but it does not look beyond the realm of possibility. As global space exploration accelerates, Pakistan is making slow but steady progress in its space endeavors. In a landmark development underscoring the deepening collaboration, Pakistan and China have signed an agreement to send the first Pakistani astronaut into space. This historic accord not only signifies Pakistan's inaugural human spaceflight but also marks a significant milestone in the nation's space endeavours.
If this mission succeeds, it could pave the way for more ambitious ventures, including lunar exploration. With China-Pakistan collaborations, the dream of a Pakistani astronaut stepping onto the lunar surface may not remain a distant fantasy.
Pakistan has historically relied on China for its space-related advancements. The 2019 launch of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite from China was a significant milestone. Given China’s ambitious lunar programs, there is potential for Pakistani astronauts to be trained under China’s space program.
However, if Pakistan strategically collaborates with global space agencies and prioritizes long-term investment, a Pakistani astronaut may one day set foot on the Moon. While this might not happen in the immediate future, it is a goal that could be realized in the coming decades.
Policymakers must prioritize space sciences alongside natural sciences and engineering to foster progress. A robust space program can serve as a catalyst for technological advancement and socio-economic growth, ultimately positioning Pakistan as a key player in the global space industry.
Notably, global space investment continues to soar with nations including the US, China, India, and the EU dedicating trillions of dollars to space missions, satellite deployments, and astronomical research.
Ghulam Haider is a freelance journalist based in Pakistan.