Pakistan is set to make history by sending its first astronaut to space in 2026, with the mission planned in collaboration with China’s space station program.
The announcement came during a meeting in Beijing between Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Shan Zhongde, Chairman of China’s Atomic Energy Authority and Space Agency.
The minister said the astronaut mission marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s space ambitions, made possible through deepening cooperation between SUPARCO and its Chinese counterparts.
“Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision, our space program has gained fresh momentum,” Iqbal said.
He highlighted the government’s flagship “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, which places strategic focus on expanding space science and technology. Recently, three satellites were successfully launched with Chinese assistance, signaling Pakistan’s growing space capabilities.
The meeting also reviewed progress in nuclear energy cooperation, with Iqbal praising projects like the K-2, K-3, and C-5 nuclear power plants as models of China-Pakistan strategic collaboration.
Looking further ahead, the minister revealed that SUPARCO has been tasked with launching a lunar mission by 2035—a bold step forward for the country’s space program.
Iqbal stressed that Pakistan’s skilled and cost-effective human capital offers valuable opportunities for China to invest in capacity building and training, particularly in emerging technologies.
He also noted the creation of a Quantum Computing Center in Pakistan to tackle next-generation technological challenges and emphasized enhancing joint research between CAEC, SUPARCO, and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
Iqbal concluded by calling for expanded academic exchange programs to enable young Pakistani scientists to pursue higher education and space research training in China.
