Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in space exploration as the SUPARCO human space mission program made significant progress, with two astronaut candidates, Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, set to travel for advanced training and experimental preparations in China.
According to officials, both candidates have departed for China for modern training as Pakistan prepares for its first-ever participation in a mission aboard the China Space Station. The mission is expected in late 2026, where a Pakistani astronaut will serve as a payload expert during the Shenzhou Mission.
During the mission, the Pakistani astronaut is expected to carry out a range of scientific experiments in microgravity, covering fields such as material science, fluid physics, life sciences and biotechnology. Officials say the research could contribute to climate resilience, food security and industrial innovation.
The development is being seen as a landmark in Pakistan’s space journey, placing the country among a limited number of nations actively participating in human spaceflight programs. It also marks a significant expansion of Pakistan’s scientific cooperation with China.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the progress made by SUPARCO in advancing deep space research and described Pakistan’s inclusion in the human space mission as another practical manifestation of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
Officials say the mission represents not only a scientific breakthrough but also a strategic milestone for Pakistan’s growing ambitions in space research and technology.
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