Pakistan’s First Astronaut to Fly to Space on November 25
Pakistan’s first astronaut will fly to space from China on 25 November 2026, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on 18 October at…
Pakistan’s first astronaut will fly to space from China on 25 November 2026, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on 18 October at the closing ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. The astronaut will travel to China’s Tiangong space station as a payload specialist under a Pakistan-China human spaceflight programme.
Key facts
| Launch date | 25 November 2026 (announced) |
| Destination | China’s Tiangong space station |
| Role | Payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments |
| Candidates | Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali (one will fly) |
| Agencies | SUPARCO and China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) |
| Agreement | Signed February 2025 |
Sources: Express Tribune (citing Radio Pakistan and Reuters) and ARY News.
Who are the candidates?
Two Pakistanis, Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, were sent to China in April 2026 for advanced training at the Astronaut Centre of China after passing selection in Pakistan and China. One will be chosen for the flight; the other serves as backup. The name of the astronaut who will fly had not been officially announced at the time of writing.
What will the astronaut do?
As a payload specialist, the Pakistani astronaut will carry out scientific experiments designed in Pakistan, in areas such as biology and medical sciences, materials, fluid mechanics and microgravity research, and will help with routine station work. Pakistan is the first foreign partner in China’s human spaceflight programme.
The bigger plan
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has set a target of a lunar mission by 2035, building on cooperation with China. Pakistan’s digital economy is also growing: freelancers earned a record $197 million in September. For more technology news from Pakistan, visit our technology section.
Frequently asked questions
When will Pakistan’s first astronaut go to space?
On 25 November 2026, according to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
Who is Pakistan’s first astronaut?
One of two trained candidates, Khurram Daud or Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, will fly. The final selection has not been officially named yet.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration, for representation only.
