In a groundbreaking development, Pakistan has initiated the selection process for its first-ever crewed space mission, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space ambitions.
The mission is expected to be conducted aboard China’s Tiangong Space Station, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), citing a spokesperson from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
This historic collaboration follows a bilateral agreement signed in February, under which a Pakistani astronaut will travel to the Chinese space station. According to CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang, the selection process for the Pakistani astronaut will unfold in three stages: the preliminary phase will take place in Pakistan, while the subsequent stages will be conducted in China.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for China’s Shenzhou-20 mission, scheduled to launch at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT) on Thursday. The mission will transport three astronauts to Tiangong to facilitate an in-orbit crew rotation with the Shenzhou-19 team, who are set to return to the Dongfeng landing site on April 29, CMSA officials announced during a press briefing aired on CCTV.
The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and carry astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie. The crew is expected to remain aboard the station until late October, with logistical support provided by the unmanned Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft.
Notably, China’s fourth group of astronauts currently undergoing training includes, for the first time, candidates from its special administrative regions—Hong Kong and Macau—as well as Pakistan, signaling an expanding international dimension to China’s space program.
