Training equips Pakistani astronauts with practical skills to fully execute their mission in space
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Pakistani astronauts in Islamabad on April 23, 2026. Photo: PMO
Two Pakistani astronauts have entered the China Astronaut Center and are participating in mission training alongside their Chinese counterparts, and all related work is progressing smoothly, the China Manned Space Mission Agency (CMSA) announced on Saturday.
According to the plan, a Pakistani astronaut will serve as a payload specialist for a short-term spaceflight mission. They are currently undergoing the program to complete basic training and aerospace technical training, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo said at a news conference in Jiuquan, northwest China.
Two Pakistani astronauts have entered the China Astronaut Center and are participating in mission training alongside their Chinese counterparts, and all related work is progressing smoothly, the China Manned Space Mission Agency (CMSA) announced on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/ryl1CUhkfx
– China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 23, 2026
The training focuses on developing practical operational capabilities to ensure that Pakistani astronauts are fully qualified to carry out the mission, Zhang explained.
Learn more: Two Pakistani astronauts selected as candidates for Chinese space program
During the initial phase of training, intensive Chinese language instruction will be provided to strengthen their Chinese language skills, including basic Chinese language knowledge and relevant command vocabulary required for mission execution.
The CMSA announced in April that two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, had been selected as final candidates following the first selection of foreign astronauts for China’s manned space program.
