Pakistan Has Selected Pilots for Chinese Space Mission
The nation aims to send its first astronaut to the Tiangong space station after training in Beijing.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Space
Live Poll
Should nations rely on foreign partners to build and launch their national space programs?
Pakistan has selected two pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, to train for a seat on China’s 77-metric-ton Tiangong space station. This mission, which is expected to last one week, marks the first time China has transported a foreign astronaut to orbit.
Why it matters
The program represents a significant expansion of space cooperation between the two nations, providing Pakistan with a platform to conduct four specialized biotechnology experiments. It also signals a broader shift as China begins integrating international partners into its orbital research operations.
The Tiangong space station consists of three modules totaling 77 metric tons, which have already supported 500 research papers and 150 patents. The Pakistani mission will test the selected astronaut’s capacity for high-speed flight and g-force tolerance while conducting onboard research.
The players
Zeeshan Ali
A Pakistani pilot currently training as a finalist for a payload specialist seat on the Tiangong space station.
Khurram Daud
A Pakistani pilot undergoing training in Beijing for potential inclusion in a forthcoming space mission.
SUPARCO
Pakistan’s national space agency responsible for testing experiments and managing the country's orbital research program.
China Astronaut Research and Training Center
The Beijing-based facility where international and domestic astronauts undergo training in simulated space environments.
The details
The candidates are currently undergoing intensive training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, focusing on Mandarin language proficiency, centrifuge drills to simulate high gravitational forces, and weightless equipment repair. For the biotechnology research component, proposals were initially screened and pre-tested by SUPARCO, Pakistan’s national space agency, before final approval by Chinese research institutes.
Timeline
The mission was initially conceived by China and Pakistan in 2019.
The Chinese crew arrived at the space station in May 2026.
The final astronaut selection decision is expected in mid-to-late October 2026.
A Pakistani-built lunar rover is scheduled to fly on the Chang'e 8 mission in 2028.
The Tech Race
This mission marks a shift in the Tiangong space station research program by integrating a foreign astronaut into a flight otherwise reserved for domestic crew. It expands the reach of Chinese orbital infrastructure, which has already facilitated 500 research papers to date.
This mission primarily affects the research output of Pakistani universities, which will see their biotechnology experiments conducted in a microgravity environment for the first time. The broader scientific community should monitor the results of these four experiments to gauge the efficacy of new cross-border orbital research protocols.
The takeaway
The successful integration of a Pakistani payload specialist will demonstrate the viability of China's model for international orbital research access. Observers should track the October 2026 selection outcome as a primary indicator of when the mission will formally commence.
What happens next
A final selection decision between the two candidates is expected to be announced by mid-to-late October 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on orbital infrastructure and international collaborations, visit the Space section.
Live Poll
Should nations rely on foreign partners to build and launch their national space programs?
