SUPARCO Advances Human Spaceflight Programme with New Astronaut Shortlist

By Tanveer Ahmed :

Pakistan has moved a step closer to sending an astronaut into space as the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) completed the second stage of its astronaut selection process, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Saturday.

After an initial screening conducted locally, two candidates were shortlisted and sent to China for further evaluation. The applicants underwent comprehensive medical, psychological and aptitude tests at China’s Astronaut Centre (ACC), following international standards for human space missions.

The two selected candidates will now begin a six-month intensive training programme at the ACC. Upon successful completion, one of them will be chosen for a space mission to the Chinese Space Station, scheduled for October or November 2026.

The initiative is part of a bilateral Astronaut Cooperation Agreement signed in February 2025 under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. Under this agreement, Pakistan became China’s first international partner in its human spaceflight programme, highlighting the growing strategic cooperation between the two nations.

Earlier, SUPARCO Director Shafaat Ali also revealed that Pakistan is working on a Moon-related space project planned for 2026, with full support from both the Pakistani and Chinese governments.

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