Two Pakistani astronauts have been selected as candidates for China’s manned space program in a major milestone for the country’s space ambitions.
According to reports, the two candidates, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, will travel to China for training under a joint human spaceflight initiative. One of them is expected to eventually fly as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to visit China’s space station.
Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said the two astronauts would soon leave for China to begin advanced training at the Astronaut Centre of China. The mission is part of Pakistan’s first planned participation in a flight to the China Space Station, which is expected in late 2026.
Officials described the development as a major step in Pakistan’s space journey, saying it places the country among a small group of nations involved in human spaceflight program.
During the mission, the Pakistani astronaut is expected to carry out scientific experiments in microgravity. These experiments are set to cover areas such as material science, fluid physics, life sciences, and biotechnology, with possible benefits for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation.
The selection follows a cooperation agreement signed between SUPARCO and the China Manned Space Agency in February 2025, under which two Pakistanis were to receive astronaut training in China. Earlier this year, two candidates had already been shortlisted for Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Program.
The latest move also reflects China’s broader push to deepen cooperation with partner countries in space exploration as it expands its independent human spaceflight program.
