A Pakistani astronaut will join a short-term mission aboard the China Space Station in 2026 as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan, according to a statement issued on Friday by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The announcement came as CMSA unveiled its 2026 spaceflight plans, which include two crewed missions and one cargo resupply flight to the orbiting station, according to a Gwadar Pro's report on Saturday.

Astronauts from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions are also expected to participate in upcoming missions as China expands international cooperation in human spaceflight. Under the arrangement, the Pakistani astronaut will undertake a short-duration mission during a crew rotation period, serving as a payload specialist responsible for conducting scientific research and microgravity experiments.

The research will cover areas such as materials science, biological studies, and space technology applications, supporting Pakistan’s growing interest in space science and innovation. The development follows an agreement signed between China and Pakistan in 2025 on the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts.

The selection process for the Pakistani astronaut mission is progressing smoothly, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO). CMSEO indicated that the Pakistani astronaut is expected to fly aboard a future Shenzhou mission for a short visit.

During crew handovers, the station typically accommodates six astronauts for several days, allowing time for experiments, technical work, and outreach activities. China's space station, completed in 2022, operates as a long-term orbital laboratory supporting research in microgravity and space medicine.

The inclusion of a Pakistani astronaut marks a significant step in Pakistan–China strategic cooperation and makes Pakistan among a limited number of countries that have sent astronauts into space.

Earlier, on February 12, China successfully launched Pakistan's PRSC-EO2 remote-sensing satellite along with six other satellites into orbit during an offshore mission in Guangdong province, further strengthening bilateral collaboration in satellite development, Earth observation, and space-based research.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China