Islamabad: Pakistan’s national space agency, SUPARCO, and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) have signed a cooperation agreement for Pakistan’s first astronaut mission to the Chinese Space Station (CSS) Tiangong. The agreement marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s space exploration efforts as it collaborates with China to send its first astronaut into space.

According to Radio Pakistan, under the agreement, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training at the Astronaut Centre of China. One of these astronauts will be selected to join a future mission aboard China’s Tiangong Space Station as a scientific payload specialist. The initiative signifies a strategic partnership between Pakistan and China in advancing space exploration capabilities.

The chosen astronaut is expected to conduct a range of experiments in microgravity. These experiments will encompass research in biology, material science, medical studies, fluid dynamics, and space radiation. The findings from these studies could yield insights with practical benefits on Earth, advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovations.