Pakistan to send astronauts to China's Tiangong space station

Pakistan will send its first astronauts to China's space station under an agreement between the South Asian nation's space agency and Chinese officials, marking a major milestone in Pakistan's nascent space program.

The agreement between Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the People's Republic of China's Manned Space Agency (CMSA) will see two Pakistani astronauts undergo training at China's Astronaut Centre as scientific payload specialists, according to SUPARCO spokesperson Mariya Tariq.

  

SUPARCO

Chairman of SUPARCO Yousuf Khan speaks during a ceremony marking an agreement for Pakistan's first manned space mission to China's Tiangong space station, February 28, 2025.

Pakistan plans to complete its astronaut selection process by 2026, after which the chosen candidate will join a mission to the Tiangong Space Station as part of China's ongoing space station program, the spokesperson said.

The Pakistani astronauts will conduct scientific experiments in fields including biological and medical sciences, applied physics, fluid mechanics, space radiation, materials science and astronomy, Tariq said.

Historic mission for Pakistan

In a conversation with Nuktaregarding the mission, space affairs expert Dr. Qamar-ul-Islam stated that this will be a historic mission for Pakistan and will prove to be a milestone. Under this initiative, the astronauts will be selected and then trained in China for a manned space mission.

He explained that the astronauts do not necessarily have to be scientists but will follow instructions and complete the mission. For this purpose, they will remain connected to the ground-based control center throughout the mission.

Dr. Qamar further stated, "In this mission, Pakistan's astronauts will travel to the Chinese space station 'Tiangong' and conduct scientific experiments. The project will be managed by SUPARCO."

A full-size model of China's Tiangong space station is displayed at the 14th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Shutterstock

This agreement is being described as a major turning point in Pakistan's space journey. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that this day will prove to be a milestone for Pakistan's aspirations in human spaceflight.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has stated that this agreement is a historic milestone which will play an important role in technological innovation, capacity building, and promotion of research. He emphasized that this cooperation with China extends beyond astronaut training and provides the foundation for long-term goals in human spaceflight and research.

Chairman SUPARCO Muhammad Yousaf Khan has invited youth, experts, and educational institutions to participate in Pakistan's astronaut program.

Tiangong Space Station (TSS)

The Tiangong Space Station (TSS) is a space station program initiated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The program aims to establish a permanent, modular space station in low Earth orbit (LEO) for conducting scientific research, space exploration, and technology development.

1. Tianhe Core Module: Launched on April 29, 2021, this is the central module of the TSS, providing living quarters, life support systems, and propulsion.
2. Wentian Laboratory Module: Launched on July 24, 2022, this module focuses on scientific research, experimentation, and testing.
3. Mengtian Laboratory Module: Launched on October 31, 2022, this module is dedicated to microgravity research, space science, and technology demonstrations.

Objectives

The Tiangong Space Station serves three primary purposes. It functions as a platform for scientific research, enabling experiments in microgravity, space science, and astronomy.

It also plays a crucial role in space exploration by developing technologies essential for deep space missions, including lunar and Mars expeditions.

Additionally, the station facilitates technology development by testing and validating new space technologies, such as life support systems, propulsion mechanisms, and materials designed for the space environment.

International cooperation

Dr. Lin Shiqiang, Director-General of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), has affirmed China's commitment to fostering international cooperation in space exploration. He highlighted Pakistan's participation in the China Space Station Program as evidence of strong bilateral relations and as advancing their shared vision of scientific exchange and peaceful space exploration.

China has positioned the Tiangong Space Station as a hub for global collaboration, with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) facilitating these partnerships.

Additionally, the European Space Agency (ESA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA) have formalized agreements for cooperation on the Tiangong Space Station, encompassing joint scientific research and technological development initiatives.

Future plans

The Tiangong Space Station is expected to be expanded with additional modules, including a lunar gateway module. China plans to conduct crewed missions to the TSS, with the goal of establishing a permanent human presence in space. Additionally, the TSS may be utilized for commercial purposes, such as space tourism, satellite servicing, and space-based manufacturing.