The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said Nov. 7 that a Pakistani astronaut will join the next Tiangong flight, marking the station’s first visit by a foreign astronaut under a bilateral training deal.
The astronaut will serve as a payload specialist aboard Shenzhou-24. AFP reported the mission is expected by the end of 2026. CMSA has not given a departure date or identified the astronaut. In April, the agency named Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud as the two people selected to begin training in China.
CMSA said the Pakistani crew member would take part in a short orbital flight and return aboard Shenzhou-23, which docked with Tiangong in May.
A February 2025 agreement established a Chinese government training program for Pakistani astronauts. Xinhua reported that the program envisaged trainees taking part in short missions with Chinese crew members over the coming years. AFP also reported that China is Pakistan’s top trade partner and a significant source of investment.
