China and Pakistan advance space cooperation with astronaut training

Two Pakistani pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, are undergoing intensive training in Beijing to potentially become the first Pakistani astronauts to board China’s Tiangong space station. The training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center includes Mandarin language instruction, centrifuge drills, and learning to operate in microgravity.

A final decision regarding which pilot will be selected for the mission is expected in mid-to-late October. The chosen astronaut will travel directly from China to space and return to Pakistan only after a post-flight recovery period.

This mission is part of an expanding space cooperation between China and Pakistan, which includes the Belt and Road Initiative. Previous joint efforts have resulted in Chinese-launched Pakistani satellites and a joint satellite-navigation system. Additionally, a Pakistani-built rover is scheduled to participate in China’s Chang’e 8 lunar mission around 2028.