In a groundbreaking stride for Asian space collaboration, Pakistan is set to send its first astronaut to the China Space Station under a bilateral cooperation agreement signed in late February. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed on Wednesday that a rigorous selection process—mirroring China's own astronaut criteria—is now underway to identify two candidates who will train in China for future missions.
The selection includes three stages: initial screenings in Pakistan, followed by advanced evaluations in the Chinese mainland. One successful candidate will ultimately travel to orbit as a payload specialist, conducting experiments for Pakistan while contributing to daily operations aboard the station. This marks Pakistan's inaugural human spaceflight program and reinforces China's role as a key partner in advancing regional space ambitions.
CMSA officials also noted ongoing discussions with multiple countries interested in participating in the China Space Station, with further details to be announced as missions take shape. The initiative underscores Asia's growing influence in global space exploration, offering new opportunities for scientific diplomacy and technological exchange.
