In a historic step towards space cooperation, China and Pakistan have signed a groundbreaking agreement that paves the way for Pakistan’s first astronaut to join a mission to China’s Tiangong space station.
The deal, signed on February 28, 2025, will see Pakistan’s astronaut undergo comprehensive training in China before flying to the Chinese space station as part of future space missions.
Historic space agreement signed in Islamabad
The agreement was formalized between the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) Engineering Office and Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Lin Xiqiang, Deputy Director of CMSEO, and Mohammad Yousaf Khan, Chairman of SUPARCO.
“It’s a great opportunity and a wonderful event where we have just witnessed the signing ceremony between Pakistan and China on extending our cooperation to promote space cooperation and getting ready to train our first Pakistani astronaut on a space flight to the Chinese space station,” PM Sharif said. “This is yet another wonderful gesture from the Chinese government to further deepen our cooperation in this field and many other fields over the last many decades,” he said, thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping for supporting Pakistan.
CMSA Director General Dr Lin Xinqiang said that Pakistan’s participation in the China Space Station (CSS) program “reflects the deep-rooted ties between the two countries” and will contribute to mutual knowledge-sharing.
SUPARCO Chairman Mohammad Yousaf Khan called the agreemen a landmark in Pakistan’s space journey and a symbol of “perseverance, adaptability, and technological progress”.
This agreement marks the first time that China has agreed to select and train an international astronaut for its space station missions, signaling a significant shift in China’s approach to space cooperation with other nations.
Timeline and Training Process
SUPARCO statement confirmed that two Pakistani astronauts will initially undergo training at the Astronaut Center of China, with one ultimately selected as a scientific payload specialist to conduct research aboard the Chinese space station.
According to CMSEO, the selection of the Pakistani astronaut will take about a year, with the chosen individual then undergoing rigorous training in China. Once trained, the astronaut will join Chinese taikonauts in carrying out short-term flight missions aboard the Tiangong space station, which has been operational since 2021.
The astronaut selection process will be completed by 2026, with a planned spaceflight in an upcoming mission.
The mission will focus on scientific experiments across multiple disciplines, including biological and medical sciences, aerospace, applied physics, fluid mechanics, space radiation, ecology, material sciences, microgravity studies and astronomy.
Tiangong space station
The Tiangong space station, often hailed as the crown jewel of China’s space program, is operated by rotating teams of three astronauts every six months. China’s space program, which was the third in the world to send humans into orbit, has also achieved remarkable feats, including landing robotic rovers on both Mars and the Moon.
With its eyes set on the future, Beijing plans to launch a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, aiming to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface. The Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) station typically accommodates three astronauts, but can host up to six during crew changes.
To date, seven three-person crews of Chinese astronauts have visited the station during its construction and operational phases since 2021. The addition of a foreign astronaut highlights China’s growing leadership in space.
China’s vision for Global Space Cooperation
This agreement not only strengthens ties between China and Pakistan but also fits into China’s broader strategy of enhancing its space diplomacy.
This initiative also marks a significant step for Pakistan’s space program. Despite limited resources compared to neighboring space giants like India, this opportunity positions Pakistan as a key player in the global space community. For Pakistan, the agreement not only strengthens its scientific and technological sectors but also gives space enthusiasts and professionals a glimpse into the possibilities of international space collaboration.
“This is a successful outcome for the Pakistani Government as it can show a pathway for Pakistan’s science and technology industries, sectors, and enthusiasts that it can participate in larger space missions despite never being able to muster the same kind of resources as its perennial rival, India,” says Bleddyn Bowen, an associate professor in Astropolitics at Durham University in the United Kingdom, according to Space News.
Pakistan and China’s Aerospace Collaboration
China’s partnership with Pakistan represents a pivotal moment in global space cooperation. By offering an opportunity for a Pakistani astronaut to fly aboard Tiangong, China is not only advancing its own space agenda but also helping to democratize space exploration for countries in the Global South.
This agreement highlights the growing importance of space diplomacy and the potential for international collaboration in the exploration of outer space. With the Chinese space station now opening its doors to astronauts from around the world, the possibilities for future cooperation and scientific discovery are limitless.
- China and Pakistan share a long history of cooperation in the aerospace sector, with personnel from both countries having worked closely together.
- Their collaboration has laid a strong foundation for successful partnerships in various aerospace projects.
- Pakistan’s first indigenously developed digital communications satellite, Badr-1, was launched into low Earth orbit on July 16, 1990, aboard a Chinese Long March 2E rocket.
- On May 3, 2024, the Chang’e-6 probe was launched from Hainan, China, carrying Pakistan’s CubeSat, which helped Pakistan achieve its first satellite lunar flyby.
- China has previously launched multiple Pakistani satellites, including one sent into lunar orbit during the Chang’e-6 mission to the far side of the moon.
- In January 2025, China launched Pakistan’s first home-made observation satellite EO-1 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
- China is also planning to take a Pakistani lunar rover to the moon as part of the upcoming 2028 Chang’e-8 mission.
China’s growing role in Space Diplomacy
China’s decision to allow foreign astronauts to fly aboard its space station underscores the country’s expanding role in space diplomacy. According to experts, this agreement will likely inspire other developing nations to seek similar partnerships with China. Furthermore, China’s growing space infrastructure and commitment to sharing space resources may eventually challenge the dominance of other space agencies, including NASA.
With the U.S. planning to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030, the Chinese space station Tiangong is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of human space exploration. The development is particularly significant given the growing competition in space exploration between global powers.
