By Shumaila Noreen
ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): In a moment that will redefine the course of Pakistan’s scientific journey, the nation is preparing to send its first astronaut into space–a feat that once belonged to the realm of dreams is now moving firmly into the realm of reality.
This ambitious step forward follows the signing of a landmark agreement between Pakistan’s national space agency, SUPARCO, and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), setting the stage for Pakistan’s participation in human spaceflight for the very first time. Under this collaboration, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo extensive training at China’s Astronaut Center. By 2026, one of them will be selected as a scientific payload specialist to join a future mission to China’s Tiangong Space Station (also known as the Chinese Space Station, or CSS).
But this mission is more than symbolic. The selected astronaut will carry the weight of scientific ambition, conducting advanced research in critical domains such as biology, space medicine, fluid dynamics, materials science, and radiation studies. These experiments, made possible by the unique microgravity environment of Tiangong, hold the potential to impact life on Earth in meaningful ways, from healthcare innovations to technological breakthroughs.
SUPARCO Chairman Mohammad Yousuf Khan hailed the agreement as a transformative milestone in Pakistan’s space program. “This marks a turning point in our space journey,” he stated. “It embodies the progress, resilience, and innovation that Pakistani scientists and engineers have steadily built over the years.” He urged youth, academic institutions, and professionals to embrace this momentum by investing in space sciences, research, and technological development.
China, already an established space power, has welcomed Pakistan’s participation with open arms, reinforcing the two nations’ long-standing partnership in science and technology. “Pakistan’s inclusion in the Tiangong program reflects the deep strategic trust between our nations,” remarked Dr. Lin Xiqiang, Director General of CMSA. “Our collaboration in space exploration serves the greater cause of peaceful scientific discovery for humanity.
Pakistan’s journey into space began over six decades ago when, on July 7, 1962, it launched the Rehbar-I rocket from the Sonmiani Range, becoming the first Muslim country–and among the earliest globally–to venture into space. However, despite this pioneering start, the nation’s space program saw a prolonged stall due to shifting political priorities and limited investment in science and technology.
A resurgence came in 2011 with the launch of PakSat-1R, a communication satellite developed in collaboration with China. This momentum was reinforced by the deployment of PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A in 2018. The trend continued in 2024 when PakSat-MM1 expanded digital connectivity to Pakistan’s underserved areas.
Notably, the student-developed iCube Qamar satellite, launched in collaboration with the China National Space Administration, captured images of the Moon, highlighting the emerging potential of Pakistani youth in advanced space technologies.
In January 2025, Pakistan achieved another landmark by launching its first entirely indigenous satellite, the Electro-Optical Satellite EO-1, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China. Developed solely by Pakistani engineers, EO-1 supports agricultural planning, disaster response, and environmental monitoring, demonstrating the nation’s increasing technical autonomy and competence.
This upcoming astronaut mission is more than a national celebration. It is a critical step toward Pakistan’s integration into the global ecosystem of space-faring nations. The research conducted aboard Tiangong will offer solutions in medicine, climate adaptation, space agriculture, and materials innovation—developments with direct applications on Earth.
At a time when traditional warfare is rapidly giving way to technological warfare, the significance of space research cannot be overstated.
The modern battlefield now spans cyber realms and upper atmospheric technologies, from advanced surveillance to satellite-enabled warfare.
Pakistan’s experience in electronic warfare during recent conflicts has already demonstrated how vital mastery over space and electromagnetic domains has become.
To remain competitive regionally and globally, Pakistan must elevate its scientific priorities. This means greater public investment in research, creating advanced training pipelines, and nurturing a new generation of scientists, engineers, and space professionals.
As space-faring nations race toward the next frontier by exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond, Pakistan’s journey has finally reentered orbit. But to sustain and accelerate this progress, a strategic realignment is needed. This includes enhancing research funding, integrating space education at all academic levels, and forging global partnerships to maintain technological relevance.
The nation’s reawakening in space science is not merely about catching up but it’s about claiming a seat at the table where the future of humanity is being written.
The launch of Pakistan’s first astronaut will not just mark a historical moment; it will ignite a scientific renaissance that has the power to shape generations to come.
