Two Pakistanis join China's space programme as first foreign astronaut trainees

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani astronauts have arrived in China to begin training after being selected as the first foreign participants in the country’s manned space programme, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation in space technology.

The selection process for the inaugural group of international astronauts concluded earlier this month, with Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud emerging as the final candidates.

Both astronauts have now entered the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, where they will undergo rigorous preparation alongside Chinese counterparts. The training programme is expected to include physical conditioning, spacecraft systems familiarisation, mission simulations and specialised instruction related to operating in space environments.

Following the successful completion of all training phases and assessments, one of the two candidates will be selected to participate in a future mission as a payload specialist. This would make the chosen astronaut the first foreign national to travel to and work aboard China’s space station, the Tiangong Space Station.

The development reflects deepening collaboration between Pakistan and China in advanced scientific and technological fields, particularly in space exploration. It also highlights China’s growing openness to international participation in its space programme, which has traditionally been domestically focused.

Analysts view the inclusion of Pakistani astronauts as a landmark step that not only strengthens bilateral ties but also enhances Pakistan’s presence in the global space domain, potentially paving the way for further cooperation in satellite technology, research and space science.