https://arab.news/9mptw
- Astronaut will participate in crew’s routine work and conduct experiments on Pakistan’s behalf, says Chinese space agency
- Beijing, Islamabad have deepened space cooperation in recent years, with joint satellite development and a planned lunar mission
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani astronaut will train at the Chinese space station and will be part of upcoming short-duration spaceflight missions as a payload specialist, the Chinese Manned Space Agency announced on Thursday.
Pakistan’s national space agency signed a cooperation agreement with China in February this year, paving the way for the country’s first astronaut to embark on a mission to the Chinese space station, Tiangong. China said earlier this year it had begun the selection process for the Pakistani astronaut.
“Two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training alongside Chinese astronauts, and one of them will be selected to participate in a short-duration spaceflight mission as a payload specialist,” China Manned Space Agency spokesperson Zhang Jingbo said at a press conference.
Chinese publication Global Times reported the same.
“China is currently selecting astronauts from Pakistan, with one expected to take part in a short-duration space mission at an appropriate time,” Global Times reported.
Jingbo said the preliminary stage for the Pakistani astronaut’s selection is being carried out in Pakistan, while the secondary and final stages will be conducted in China.
“During the mission, the [Pakistani] astronaut will not only participate in the crew’s routine work, but also conduct scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan,” Jingbo added.
Pakistan and China have deepened their space partnership in recent years, marked by joint satellite development and a planned lunar mission. In January, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for Pakistan’s first lunar rover to be included in China’s Chang’e 8 mission in 2028.
The rover, developed by SUPARCO, will land at the lunar south pole, carrying scientific instruments designed by Pakistani, Chinese and European scientists. Pakistani scientists will operate the rover from Earth, conducting surface mapping, soil analysis and radiation studies.
Pakistan previously participated in lunar exploration in 2024, when its first lunar satellite, ICUBE-Q, developed by students at the Institute of Space Technology (IST) in collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was deployed aboard China’s Chang’e 6 mission to capture lunar images and collect magnetic field data.