Pakistan’s First Astronaut Set for China Mission on November 25

Pakistan’s first astronaut is scheduled to begin a space mission from a Chinese launch centre on November 25, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on Sunday. The mission would mark the country’s first participation in a crewed spaceflight and a major milestone in its expanding scientific cooperation with China.

Iqbal announced the date while addressing the concluding ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal, which was organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. He said cooperation with China could help Pakistan develop its capabilities in human spaceflight and other areas of space exploration.

Two Pakistani pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, were selected earlier this year as candidates for China’s crewed space programme. Both have undergone intensive training in Beijing, but authorities have not yet publicly identified which candidate will join the November mission.

The selected astronaut is expected to serve as a payload specialist rather than operate the spacecraft. The role will involve conducting scientific experiments designed for Pakistan while aboard the Chinese space station, with the astronaut travelling in a Chinese-built spacecraft and communicating in Mandarin during the mission.

Iqbal also outlined an ambition for Pakistan to achieve a lunar landing by 2035. The announcement represents a long-term national objective rather than confirmation of a scheduled lunar mission, and officials have not yet released a detailed programme, budget or technical timeline for reaching that target.

Pakistan and China formalised cooperation on astronaut training and human spaceflight through an agreement involving their respective space agencies. Under the arrangement, two Pakistani candidates were to receive specialised preparation before one was selected for a short-duration mission to China’s Tiangong space station.

The minister said space technology had practical importance for agriculture, communications, climate monitoring, education and national security. Satellite systems can support crop assessment, disaster response, weather monitoring, mapping and connectivity, making the programme relevant to Pakistan’s development needs beyond the symbolic value of sending an astronaut into orbit.

Plans were also announced to establish Pakistan’s first space museum at the University of Narowal. The proposed facility is intended to improve public understanding of space science and encourage students to pursue education and careers in scientific research, engineering and emerging technologies.

The mission would deepen Pakistan-China scientific cooperation and give Pakistani researchers an opportunity to conduct experiments in orbit. It could also provide operational experience in astronaut selection, training, mission preparation and coordination with an established human spaceflight programme.

The immediate next steps include naming the astronaut who will fly, confirming the spacecraft and mission details, and completing final training and medical requirements. Further announcements are expected before the November 25 launch date, including information about the experiments the selected payload specialist will conduct in space.