ISLAMABAD: The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Wednesday announced a landmark advancement in Pakistan’s manned space mission programme as two astronaut candidates — Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali — are set to depart for China to begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC).
In an X post, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that this was a significant step forward in Pakistan’s space exploration journey that positions the country in the community of a select group of nations actively engaged in human spaceflight programmes.
Under this collaboration, Pakistan is preparing for its first-ever participation in a mission to the China Space Station (CSS), it added. “The mission is currently planned for launch in late 2026, where a Pakistani astronaut will serve as a Payload Expert aboard the Shenzhen mission,” said the ministry.
During the mission aboard the CSS, the Pakistani astronaut will conduct several scientific experiments in microgravity. These experiments span critical areas including material science, fluid physics, life/bio science, and biotechnology, with potential applications for climate resilience, food security and industrial innovation.
On the historical occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the efforts of Suparco, a harbinger of deep-space exploration. The premier also appreciated the ironclad China-Pakistan brotherhood, yet another testimony of which is choosing Pakistan to be the first country for participation in Chinese manned space mission.
