China Aerospace   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  

China prepares to send first Pakistani astronaut to Tiangong space station

Bookmark this story

Two Pakistani pilots are undergoing Mandarin study, centrifuge training and simulated weightlessness as China nears a decision on which will become the first Pakistani astronaut to visit Tiangong. The mission would deepen China-Pakistan space cooperation and extend Beijing’s international astronaut program.

Discovered 2026-09-27T18:05:34.737079-07:00 | 2026-09-27T18:05:34.737079-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The planned mission would make a Pakistani national the first foreign astronaut aboard China’s Tiangong space station, underscoring the station’s role in China’s international space diplomacy.
  • The candidates’ training—including Mandarin, centrifuge drills and weightless equipment repair—shows the operational preparation required for international crew participation in China’s human-spaceflight program.

Reported By

Reuters
Sources Tracked
1
First Seen
2026-09-27T18:05:34.737079-07:00
Latest Update
2026-09-27T18:05:34.737079-07:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

Hype groups these reports into one evolving story so you can compare coverage without losing the thread.

Related Coverage