The China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday that two Pakistani candidates, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, have been selected as the first foreign astronauts to train for missions aboard China’s space station.
Both individuals will travel to China for specialized training as payload specialists, focusing on scientific experiments conducted in orbit.
Following the training program, one of the two is expected to participate in a spaceflight mission, making history as the first foreign astronaut to visit China’s Tiangong space station.
According to reports, the selected astronaut is likely to fly in a mission scheduled for October or November 2026. The other candidate will continue training and support roles within the program.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that the selection reflects a major step in expanding international cooperation in space exploration. The initiative positions Pakistan among the earliest international partners involved in China’s space station program.
This development marks a major milestone in China–Pakistan space collaboration, strengthening scientific ties between the two countries and opening the door for future joint missions in human spaceflight and research.
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