ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani astronaut candidates have been shortlisted for Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Programme after completing the secondary phase of selection, which included comprehensive medical, psychological and aptitude assessments at China’s Astronauts Centre (ACC), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
An ISPR press release stated: “Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has achieved yet another significant milestone in Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Programme with the successful completion of the secondary phase of astronaut candidates’ selection.”
“Following an initial screening process in Pakistan, two candidates have been shortlisted after undergoing comprehensive medical, psychological and aptitude assessments conducted at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC), in accordance with international human spaceflight standards.”
The statement said, “The shortlisted candidates will undertake advanced astronaut training for six months at ACC.”
‘Astronaut Cooperation Agreement’
“Upon completion of training, one candidate will be selected for a spaceflight mission aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS) in October / November 2026,” it added.
This cooperation is anchored on the bilateral “Astronaut Cooperation Agreement”, signed in February 2025, under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, whose vision and support were instrumental in enabling Pakistan’s participation in human spaceflight, the statement said.
The press release said, “This landmark initiative also reflects the strong support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, which selected Pakistan as the first foreign partner in its astronaut program.”
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