Selection Process Starts for Pakistani Astronauts in Upcoming China Space Mission
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has confirmed that Pakistan has begun selecting astronauts under a cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between the two countries. The process was outlined by CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang during a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China.
The astronaut selection involves three stages: preliminary selection in Pakistan, followed by secondary and final rounds in China. Two candidates will ultimately be selected for training.
One of the chosen astronauts will participate in a joint spaceflight mission to the China Space Station as a payload specialist. Duties will include routine crew responsibilities and conducting scientific experiments for Pakistan.
China is also in talks with other countries about similar missions.
During a meeting in Islamabad, Chinese firm Galaxy Space discussed potential collaboration and investment with Pakistani officials. The delegation held discussions with the Ministry of IT and SUPARCO regarding joint space ventures.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2025/04/23/selection-process-starts-for-pakistani-astronauts-in-upcoming-china-space-mission/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
