In a move that signals a new era of international space cooperation, a Pakistani astronaut will become the first foreign visitor aboard China’s Tiangong space station when the Shenzhou‑24 mission is launched. The entry is set to take place from Pakistan, where the selected astronauts have been training in Beijing and will serve as payload specialists on China’s manned program.
According to Reuters, Chinese state media reported on Saturday that a Pakistani astronaut will be aboard the Shenzhou‑24 mission as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a policy that links human progress with economic development. The unnamed astronaut has not yet been identified by Beijing, but a Pakistani space agency official told the agency in September that pilots Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have spent months training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing for a mission.
While Chinese officials have not announced an exact launch date for Shenzhou‑24, CCTV—China’s state television broadcaster—has said that the astronaut will conduct a short‑term in‑orbit flight and return to Earth aboard the Shenzhou‑23 spacecraft. This arrangement would make the flight the first joint spaceflight to feature both Chinese and foreign astronauts in China’s history of a manned space program.
In an earlier Facebook post from China Daily, it was reported that in April 2026 Pakistan selected two astronauts, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, to train for a future mission. The post highlighted the importance of the partnership, referring to it as a milestone for both countries’ space ambitions and highlighting the growing international collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Training and Preparation
Both pilots have undergone rigorous training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing, a facility that has been hosting international crews for several years. The training regimen includes simulations of orbital operations, exercise routines tailored to spaceflight, and cultural exchange sessions designed to prepare astronauts for life aboard the Tiangong station.
Pakistani officials emphasized that the astronauts are slated to work as payload specialists, focusing on experiments and technology that will be conducted on the station. The decision to involve foreign specialists is part of Beijing’s broader strategy to open up its space program to international partners, potentially paving the way for additional crews and joint missions in the future.
Significance for Bilateral Relations
The Shenzhou‑24 flight holds symbolic importance for Pakistan, reinforcing its growing scientific partnership with China. The collaboration is seen as an extension of the two countries’ cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, which includes infrastructure projects, trade agreements, and technology exchanges. By sending a Pakistani astronaut into orbit, China signals its willingness to share its capabilities beyond its borders.
At the same time, the Pakistani space agency views the flight as a milestone for its own space program. The agency noted that the experience gained from the training would help advance Pakistan’s domestic capabilities and inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers, firmly tying national pride to a global scientific achievement.
While the exact launch window remains unconfirmed, observers anticipate that the mission will launch in the coming months. The Chinese mission also serves as a platform for showcasing advancements in the Tiangong space station’s modular architecture, which is designed to host international payloads and multi‑national crews in the years ahead.
This article is based on a Reuters report published on November 7, 2026, and a Facebook post by China Daily, which announced the selection of two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, in April 2026.
