Astronaut mission – Pakistan set sights on stars

In a milestone that marks a new chapter in Pakistan's scientific evolution, the nation is preparing to send its very first astronaut into space – an achievement once seemed a distant dream, now transforming into a tangible reality.

With the ink freshly dried on a landmark cooperation agreement between Pakistan's national space agency Suparco and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the countdown has begun for a historic journey to Chinese Space Station (CSS), Tiangong.

Under this agreement, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo rigorous training at Astronaut Centre of China. One of them will ultimately be chosen as a scientific payload specialist, entrusted with conducting advanced research aboard the CSS.

The selection process, slated for completion by 2026, will culminate in the astronaut joining one of China's upcoming missions. The significance of this venture extends far beyond the symbolic achievement of a Pakistani in space.

The astronaut's mission aboard the CSS will include cutting-edge scientific experiments in biology, fluid mechanics, medical science, material studies, space radiation and more fields with far-reaching implications for life on Earth.

The Chinese station is equipped with state-of-the-art research modules that offer a unique microgravity environment, allowing scientists to conduct studies impossible to replicate on Earth.

"This agreement is a landmark in Pakistan's space journey," said Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Chairman Mohammad Yousuf Khan. "It reflects our perseverance, adaptability, and technological strides we have made in recent years."