Pakistani Astronaut to Join Chinese Space Station Mission as Payload Specialist
Pakistan's first astronaut mission to China's space station will mark a milestone in bilateral space cooperation, with the selected astronaut joining the Shenzhou-24 crew for a brief orbital stay before returning aboard Shenzhou-23.
BEIJING, Nov 7: A Pakistani astronaut is set to make a brief journey to China’s space station as a payload specialist, marking the first participation of a foreign astronaut in the country’s human spaceflight programme, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Saturday.
According to the agency, the astronaut will join the Shenzhou-24 crewed mission and undertake a short stay aboard the Chinese orbital facility. Following the completion of the mission, the Pakistani astronaut will return to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft.
The announcement did not disclose the astronaut’s identity or specify the duration of the planned visit.
The mission will differ from China’s regular crewed spaceflights, during which astronauts generally remain aboard the space station for approximately six months. The Pakistani participant, however, will undertake a considerably shorter assignment in the capacity of a payload specialist.
The CMSA described the upcoming flight as a historic development, as it will be the first mission in China’s manned space programme to involve both Chinese and foreign astronauts travelling together.
The development follows growing space cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing, which have strengthened their partnership through several joint initiatives in satellite technology and space exploration.
In February 2025, China and Pakistan signed an agreement in Islamabad covering astronaut selection, professional training and participation in missions to the Chinese space station. The agreement formally initiated the process of selecting Pakistani candidates for the programme.
Following a comprehensive three-stage selection and assessment procedure, two Pakistani reserve astronauts were shortlisted. Both candidates subsequently underwent training in China and were required to complete the prescribed evaluations.
Under the arrangement, one of the selected candidates will travel to the space station as part of the crewed mission, while the second will remain available as a backup.
China has also supported Pakistan’s space programme through satellite launches in recent years, providing technological assistance to its long-standing strategic partner.
The upcoming flight represents another significant step in the expanding relationship between the two countries, opening a new chapter in international participation in China’s human spaceflight activities.
