Pakistan’s Astronauts Begin Training for Future Space Missions

 

Pakistan could soon send its first astronaut to China’s space station, with two Pakistani candidates currently undergoing intensive training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

Yang Liwei, China’s first astronaut and deputy chief designer of the country’s manned space program, said the two Pakistani candidates are expected to participate in future missions alongside Chinese astronauts.

Under the current plan, one Pakistani astronaut could join a short-duration space mission as a payload specialist. If carried out as planned, the mission would mark an important milestone in Pakistan’s space exploration efforts.

The two candidates were selected in April as the first Pakistani and foreign astronauts to enter China’s astronaut training program. They began training at the Chinese astronaut center in May, preparing alongside Chinese astronauts for the demanding conditions associated with spaceflight.

Their training is expected to cover technical skills, physical conditioning, emergency response procedures and other mission-specific activities required for space missions.

If the plans proceed, the mission could further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and China in space technology and exploration. It would also provide a Pakistani astronaut with an opportunity to live and conduct scientific or technical activities aboard China’s Tiangong space station.

Sending a Pakistani astronaut into space would represent a historic achievement for the country and could mark a new chapter in Pakistan’s space exploration journey.